What should I expect from my first Pilates lesson?

Marcia Shapira

Most studios and teachers will call your first Pilates lesson an initial consultation. This first session is a requirement for teachers to understand your goals and needs, evaluate functional movement, mobility and postural imbalances.

During your first session you will be expected to give information about your health and exercise history, and we will ask for more details about previous illnesses, accidents, injuries and falls.  

We also want to know the specific demands of your life style: Do you work on your feet all day or do you spend most time sitting in front of your desk? Are you a runner or do you play golf? How many times a week do you practice these activities? Are you planning to participate in any major exercise event or go on a skiing holiday? 

We plan our programs to the individual level of our clients addressing imbalances as we do the exercises.

So during your first session you will learn the fundamentals of the Pilates method and the basic movements while we ensure you work at the right level so you can make progress and have an effective workout.

In the very first session the number of exercises that are taught and how much of a workout you will have will depend on your understanding of the Pilates fundamentals and how you apply it during the session.   

As teachers, we will provide verbal and tactile cues to guide you and maximize your learning experience. Often, learning the Pilates method way of moving takes practice and repetition and it is a layering process: every repetition counts in making those skills second nature. 

Teachers bring to the session the eye for detail, the information and the repertoire. You as a client are required to be mindful and engage your mind body connections and practice these new skills to get the best results. 

By bringing concentration and determination, you are guaranteed to achieve amazing results.