Pilates combines six concepts -- centering, control, flow, breath, precision, and concentration -- to strengthen the deep abdominal and back muscles for core strength and torso stability. The more than 500 exercises developed by Joseph Pilates to rehabilitate patients after World War I may be practiced on a simple mat or specially designed equipment. Lessons vary from group to semi private, private or at home.
Typical costs:
Group courses cost about $10-$30 each for a 45-60 minute low-impact mat class, depending on location and level of instructor--from teacher to senior to master. A single group mat session at The Designed Body[1] in Dallas costs $15, per class while Fitwise Pilates[2] in El Cerrito, CA, offers a small group class at $30 per session. While the body is used as resistance, some moves require the use of props like an exercise ball, weight or flex band. Group sessions using large equipment cost about $22-$100, depending on location. Apparatus may include reformers[3] , trapeze and towers[4] or chairs. Some studios require a selected number of private lessons prior to moving into a group class.
Dual or semi-private lessons with two to three students cost about $45-$80 each session, per person, depending on location, equipment used and level of instructor. Some studios require the completion of several private lessons, prior to advancing to semi-private lessons. The Rhode Island Pilates Studio[5] in Lincoln, RI, offers a duet class for $45 per person.
Private lessons typically cost $50-$150 per one-hour session, depending on the level of instructor and offer immediate feedback on postures. Students often participate in a combination of private and group classes. The Wood River YMCA[6] in Ketchum, ID, offers private lessons at $60 per hour for members and $72 for non-members.
Using Skype software, NetFit PT[7] personal training offers private Pilates training wherever you have internet. Courses are $30 for 30 minutes or $60 for an hour. If a group of people would like to participate, the cost is $10 per person or $40 for two or three people. Pilates DVDs cost about $7-$20, depending on number of DVDs in the set.
Training by an instructor certified through an approved course in the various levels of Pilates including equipment, anatomy and continuing education.
Apparatus instruction will lead the student through the proper usage of the equipment including body positions and breathing techniques for a safe class. All classes build on the individual student's ability, whether held in a group or private session.
Additional costs:
Small equipment costs typically include the Pilates mat, which are about $14-$42. Yoga Accessories.com[8] sells a 1/4" yoga mat at $17, while Yoga.com[9] offers a Manduka eko lite mat with a seagrass texture at $42. Small and large exercise balls[10] cost $12-$27, flex bands cost about $6-$12 and ankle or wrist weights[11] are typically $12-$15. Comfortable clothing is required. Shoes are usually not worn, although socks are required at many studios.
To set up a Pilates home gym, large equipment costs vary from the simple reformer bench with horizontal resistance bands at $400-$900 like the Stamina Pilates Premier XP[12] and more extensive styles that cost about $1,200-$7,000, including the Stott Pilates V2 Max Plus Reformer[13] at $6,200 with the additional vertical resistance of a tower that rises at one end and a higher platform. The trapeze[14] units include bars and resistance from multiple angles through towers that rise at each end of the bench with overhead bars costing about $1,100-$6,300, depending on manufacturer.
Discounts:
Some fitness centers and gyms offer Pilates classes at no additional charge on a first come, first serve basis.
Buying multiple classes at one time or taking advantage of introductory rates reduces the per-class rates by $3-$5.50 per class, depending on location and number of classes purchased.
Shopping for pilates lessons:
Find a certified instructor or youth program through the Pilates Method Alliance which carries on the traditions and programs of the founder and also certifies instructors.
Check out a Pilates studio in advance through the Better Business Bureau[15] .
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