Following are some of the most frequently asked questions we get about pilates:

• When will I start to see results?
• How often should I perform Pilates?
• Is it better to do Pilates in a gym or studio, or with an instructor who teaches from their home studio?
• Aren’t all Pilates classes the same?
• Why are private sessions better?
• How do I find a good instructor/studio?
• Which is better, pilates mat or equipment?
• Can Pilates improve my sex life?
• Is Pilates like Stretching?
• If Pilates is for both men and women, why are more women doing it?
• I’m pregnant, can I Still do Pilates?
• Will Pilates help me lose weight?

When will I start to see results? 

Generally speaking most clients start to look and feel better within a matter of weeks.  A lot depends on having a good instructor and how much effort & frequency the student puts into their sessions.  It’s important to have an experienced instructor that has the expertise and knowledge to progress a client in a short period of time if need be, even if the client isn’t in top physical shape.  At the same time, clients who take regular pilates sessions (no skipping!) and concentrate for the full hour & give it their all see quicker results.  So in short, you get out of your sessions what you put into them.

How often should I perform Pilates? 

I usually recommend 2-4 times a week depending on what the client’s goals or needs include. 

Joseph Pilates emphasized Pilates as the gateway to complete health and quality living and not just physical fitness.  So really, you should do it often, essentially every day in order to maintain your health, not only your form.

Is it better to do Pilates in a gym or studio, or with an instructor who teaches from their home studio? 

It really depends on what your gym/facility in your city has to offer and what your budget is.  The key is to find a good instructor that is knowledgeable, that you’re compatible with and that delivers results.  A big studio or gym doesn’t necessarily mean better, just as one shouldn’t dismiss the idea of someone who works from home.  That said, it is not uncommon for instructors to work out of a home studio or rent space from a larger one.  In fact, those are the most coveted appointments, as these are the ones who don’t need a studio for a stellar clientele, whose work and word-of-mouth recommendations keep them in business!

Aren’t all Pilates classes the same? 

No, unfortunately they are not.  There is real value in this method when it is taught properly and good intentions cannot substitute knowledge and experience.  Talent plays a big role too, because anyone can teach you a series of ‘exercises’ but few will teach you proper technique for YOUR body.  There’s no mistaking it, you will feel and see the difference when it’s done right. 

Why are private sessions better? 

Private sessions are tailored to one’s individual needs, goals, and ability and are beneficial if you want better and faster results than a group class.  It is advised that you train privately especially if you are recovering from an injury, or have a condition that requires specialized knowledge.

How do I find a good instructor/studio? 

The key to finding a good instructor is similar to when seeking out any other professional: be a smart consumer and research!  Ensure that they are knowledgeable, that you’re compatible with them and that they deliver results.  The best results are most often from a talented instructor who teaches the traditional method as Joseph Pilates intended.  Someone who is positive, professional, and inspiring is also important!

Which is better, pilates mat or equipment? 

It is not a matter of one being better than the other as Pilates is a method of exercise which includes various pieces of equipment and the matwork.  There is a lot of value in this work when an instructor knows how to use the whole system and apply it to their clients’ needs.  Most people are impressed by the different apparatus and therefore conclude that it is superior to the matwork.  This is not true, when in fact the different apparatuses’ actually help clients become stronger so they’re better able to perform the mat, which in many ways can be harder. 

Can Pilates improve my sex life? 

Yes! Doing Pilates can improve sex for obvious reasons.  It makes you stronger and more flexible for one.  It increases stamina and boosts confidence.  Pilates works out the smaller muscles you didn’t know you had that can enhance pleasure.  Better breathing and circulation and less back pain are also benefits.   In 1946 Pilates wrote a book called ‘Return to Life’, and that is exactly what many clients have confessed to me over the years, that they felt they ‘returned to life’ in the sexual arena thanks to Pilates.  Pilates has given them a sense of vitality and ‘joie de vivre’ that has heightened their body awareness making it an enjoyable experience for them and their partner.

Is Pilates like Stretching? 

The “gentle” exercise that Pilates is so often referred to is contrary to the original intentions. Pilates is not simply 'stretching', it’s a full body workout.

If Pilates is for both men and women, why are more women doing it? 

The Pilates Method was and is meant for both men and women.  In the early days Mr Pilates trained more men than you see in studios nowadays, boxers, athletes etc… In the area where he first opened his NewYork studio however many dance studios were in the same building, this generated excitement for many dancers who would come to the studio for rehabilitation.  For this reason it took on a more female clientele.  These days more men are starting to use pilates again as way to stay in shape and it’s good to see it in studios.

I’m pregnant, can I Still do Pilates? 

With a doctor’s permission, Pilates is great for both pre and post natal.  It is advised not to begin doing Pilates while pregnant if you haven’t done it before.  Your instructor should be familiar with latest guidelines in pregnancy and fitness to ensure a safe workout.

Our Pilates Pregnancy instruction combines the latest research into pregnancy and exercise.  Vicki Koutalianou has specialized in pre and post natal Pilates and in fact was doing Pilates well into her 40^th week of pregnancy.  She has had many pregnant students and has additionally written articles on the topic for Mommy and Vista magazines.  A few months after giving birth she made an appearance on the Mommy show to speak of the importance of Pilates & Pregnancy.  She has also created an exercise plan for new mothers on Posture while breastfeeding via the International Breastfeeding Organization, LaLecheLeague (Greece).

Will Pilates help me lose weight? 

If weight loss is your ultimate goal, Pilates can definitely help.  NOT without combining healthy eating habits, however.  Most people have this belief that because they’re exercising that they can eat whatever they wish~not true!

Pilates is not simply ‘exercise’, but rather ‘corrective exercise’ for the whole body.  Emphasis is on symmetry which strengthens and stretches the body in a balanced manner, elongating and sculpting it in all the right places.  This often has the effect of making one appear 10 lbs thinner without necessarily changing the number on the scale.  Clients often comment on how their clothes fit better, their posture is more erect and they’ve lost inches in otherwise bulky areas. 

*Additionally, ageing, pregnancy, hormonal changes and other factors may sometimes interfere with weight loss.  If this is the case the appropriate medical specialist should be consulted.