When many people think of Pilates, they picture a group mat class. But Pilates can also be practised individually using specially designed studio equipment, including the Reformer, Cadillac and other apparatus.
At The Form Practice, our Pilates sessions are one-to-one and equipment-based, allowing exercises to be selected and adapted specifically for the person in front of us.
A group mat class can be an excellent way to improve general strength, mobility and body awareness. But if you want a programme designed around your own body, goals and abilities, private equipment Pilates offers some particular advantages.
Five benefits of private Pilates sessions
1. A programme tailored to you
Everyone arrives with different goals.
You might want to improve strength and flexibility, become more confident in your movement, return to exercise after a period of inactivity or work on particular areas of your body.
In a one-to-one Pilates session, your instructor can select exercises and adjust resistance, range of movement and difficulty according to your individual needs.
As you become stronger and more confident, your programme can progress with you.
2. Individual attention
One of the biggest advantages of a private session is having your instructor’s attention throughout.
Small changes in positioning and movement can make a considerable difference to how an exercise feels and which muscles are working.
Your instructor can observe your movement, provide feedback and adapt exercises during the session rather than having to divide their attention between a whole class.
3. Useful when returning to exercise
Returning to exercise following an injury, pain or a long period of inactivity can sometimes feel daunting.
One-to-one Pilates allows exercises to be introduced gradually and adapted to your current ability.
The resistance provided by Pilates equipment can be increased or reduced, allowing you to progress at an appropriate pace.
If you are recovering from an injury or have an ongoing medical condition, we may recommend that you seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional before beginning or progressing your exercise programme.
4. Greater variety with Pilates equipment
Equipment Pilates offers considerably more possibilities than many people initially expect.
The springs, straps, bars and moving platforms of Pilates apparatus can provide either assistance or resistance depending on the exercise.
This makes it possible to work on areas including:
- Core strength
- Mobility
- Balance and coordination
- Postural awareness
- Flexibility
- Upper and lower body strength
- Control and quality of movement
The equipment can also make exercises accessible at different levels of ability.
5. A programme that progresses with you
One-to-one sessions make it easier to monitor your progress and continually adapt your programme.
As movements become easier, exercises can be progressed by changing resistance, increasing the challenge or introducing different equipment.
Equally, if something doesn’t feel right, the session can be adjusted immediately.
This personalised approach can help keep Pilates varied, challenging and enjoyable.
One-to-one Pilates in Cambridge
At The Form Practice in Hardwick, Cambridge, we have a dedicated Pilates studio equipped for private equipment-based sessions.
Whether you’re new to Pilates or already have experience and would like a more individual approach, one-to-one sessions allow the programme to be built around you.
You can book a one-to-one Pilates session or contact The Form Practice to find out whether equipment Pilates would be suitable for you.