How Much Should a Pilates Class Cost?

Author:

Donna Finnie

Published:

March 29, 2022

Updated:

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Taking Pilates classes is a fantastic way to fit some exercise into your daily routine. However, you want to be sure you’re paying a fair price, so how much should a Pilates class cost?

A Pilates class should cost between $30 and $150. A one-on-one Pilates class in a studio should cost between $60 and $150. A small group Pilates class in a studio should cost between $30 and $60. UK classes have a similar price range, starting at £35, depending on the type of class and where you live.

Now that you know the approximate price you should be paying for a Pilates class, you probably want more info. In this article, I’ll explore related topics to Pilates class pricing, including whether Pilates classes are worth the price, how you can practice Pilates at home, and how often you should be attending Pilates classes.

Are Pilates Classes Expensive?

Private Pilates classes are relatively expensive. However, most agree that they are worth the price of admission due to their mental health benefits. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, practicing Pilates can reduce depression and anxiety.

Aside from many mental health benefits, Pilates also offers an array of physical health benefits.

It’s worth remembering that private sessions will cost you more than group sessions because you are getting dedicated attention. A private instructor will assess your fitness level and tailor the workout specifically for you, creating a long-term exercise program to help you achieve your goals.

A group class is a good choice if you want a general workout, and they are often more flexible with attendance, with many drop-in classes allowing you to register your attendance on the day. They also offer a social element, you get to know others in the class and can support each others journey.

If you’ve never done Pilates before I would always recommend starting with private classes, they ensure you understand the fundamentals and give you confidence in your ability to keep up in group classes.

What’s the Monthly Cost of Pilates Classes?

The monthly cost of Pilates classes differs depending on the frequency and type of class. If you’re attending the recommended three classes per week in a one-on-one setting, Pilates will cost you approximately $1260 per month. If you’re practicing in a group setting, it will cost around $540.

Class prices will vary depending on location and speciality. For example, my Pilates studio is located in the North West of the UK and my prices are lower than a similar studio based in London.

The average cost will also be higher if you’re doing Reformer classes, which make use of an expensive (and large) bit of equipment that requires instructors to have paid for additional training and qualification.

How Often Should I Attend Pilates Classes?

You should attend Pilates classes at least three times per week to see consistent results. If you want to add some additional Pilates in your life, you can attend up to 4 or 5 classes per week. However, you must give your body a day or two of rest per week.

If this sounds difficult it’s worth remembering that you don’t have to pay to do all of these sessions, once you become confident it’s very easy to do a session at home, following an online class such as can be found on my YouTube channel: Pilates with Donna Finnie.

How Long Should a Pilates Class Be?

The average Pilates class should be between 45 minutes to an hour. However, you don’t need to practice Pilates for 45 minutes to feel its positive effects.

According to Premium Pilates, a session as short as 10 minutes can help you experience Pilates’ positive mental and physical effects. I highly recommend getting a routine of a short morning workout, it can have a very positive impact on the rest of your day.

Other Ways To Practice Pilates

I’ve spoken a lot about going to a private session with a Pilates instructor or being a group class participant, but those aren’t you’re only options.

As many of the exercises make use of your body weight to improve your core strength you can do a full body workout anywhere in the world, providing you’ve practised a routine.

Pilates Retreats Are Available Worldwide

I love running Pilates retreats for my clients, they are a unique option for getting away from your world and enjoying a much needed break to focus on yourself.

You’ll find retreats located worldwide, so you don’t have to visit one local to you, it could form part of a holiday, allowing you to visit somewhere you’ve never been before, or could have you doing your workouts in a beautiful location, such as on a beach.

Pilates retreats vary in length, some are weekend only, some can be a week-long fitness vacation. They usually take place in locations with beautiful scenery, including mountainous and tropical regions.

A few countries known to offer beautiful Pilates retreats are:

France
Canary Islands
Portugal
Thailand
Wales

The goal of a Pilates retreat is to combine the relaxing properties of Pilates, like reduced anxiety and depression, with the relaxing elements of a vacation.

You may also find a nutritional element is included, giving your body a healthy detox by feeding it the most appropriate fuel for your stay.

Does a week straight of Pilates sound like too much to you? Don’t worry; there are usually plenty of other activities offered at the retreats to give you something to do between classes.

Here are a few common activities found at retreats:

Other exercise classes like Yoga or Zumba
Sightseeing tours
Other group activities like hiking, ziplining, swimming, etc.

Are you interested in going on a Pilates retreat? I can’t blame you! Check out Health and Fitness Travel’s list of the Top 10 Pilates Retreats Worldwide to find your dream Pilates retreat location.

Live Online Pilates Classes Add Convenience

Live online Pilates classes have some enticing advantages over in-person Pilates classes. Online Pilates classes are typically cheaper because the instructor doesn’t have to deal with expenses like renting a studio.

Additionally, you can participate in an online Pilates class from the comfort of your own home! Online classes could be a great way to get away from your workout commute if you dread the commute to and from your local gym or Pilates studio.

However, online Pilates classes come with a distinct downside. You will need to purchase the equipment needed to do Pilates from home. Fortunately, for the most part, any equipment you might need is very inexpensive. Check out what you might need in our Home Pilates Equipment Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started.

How Much Do Live Online Pilates Classes Cost?

Live online Pilates classes cost from $10 to $20 per class, with some sites charging a monthly access fee on top of this. Other websites offer a monthly all access pass starting at $45 a month, which gives you the choice of attending live online classes or accessing previous live classes on demand.

Here are four online Pilates services that offer live online classes:

Pilates Moves You. This is my own offering, you can claim a FREE online class to see if you like the online teaching experience. An all-access unlimited class pass is just £35 a month (about $45) and, as well as the live classes, you get access to all recorded classes on demand.
Gone Adventuring. Gone Adventuring is an online Pilates learning platform with a wide library of Pilates workout tutorials and programs. A subscription to Gone Adventuring costs $14 per month. Live classes cost an additional $8 each. You can get a free trial period of 7 days for Gone Adventuring.
Body Harmonics. Body Harmonics is one of the few live online Pilates services that cater specifically towards live online classes. You can get unlimited live online Pilates class plans for $70 a month at Body Harmonics. They also offer a four-month unlimited live Pilates class plan for $180.
Your Pilates Physio. Your Pilates Physio focuses on the physical health benefits of Pilates. Your Pilates Physio has modified classes designed to fit every individual’s needs. They offer weekly classes included in their $9.75 monthly subscription service. Additionally, Your Pilates Offers a free subscription trial of 14-days.
Online Pilates Classes. For $20 a month, you can access Online Pilates Classes’ full library of instructional videos. In addition to the library of videos, you receive one live Pilates class per week. You can get a free trial period of 7 days at Online Pilates Classes.

Finding Free Pilates Resources Online

If the cost of Pilates classes, retreats, and live online Pilates classes are discouraging you, don’t worry! There are plenty of free resources online that can help you practice Pilates for free.

Pilates Exercises YouTube Channels Show Proper Form

Videos can be an excellent resource for learning exercises. They allow you to explore a range of instructors and styles and you can fire them up on demand whenever you like. YouTube is a fantastic place to find tutorials, you can subscribe to the instructors you like and be notified whenever they publish a new video.

Here are some Pilates YouTube channels for you to check out:

Pilates with Donna Finnie. I can’t mention YouTube without plugging my own channel! With over 100 workout videos available, there is something for everyone, and I aim to get a new video online every Friday, ready for your weekend workout.
The Balanced Life Pilates with Robin Long. Robin Long does a fantastic job at making succinct, informative videos. You’ll find one-off exercises, tips, and 10-30 minute exercise routines.
Pilatesology. The Pilatesology YouTube channel focuses primarily on one-off exercise tutorials. Pilatesology does a great job at cutting any unnecessary information out of their videos with most tutorials less than a minute long!
Trifecta Pilates. Trifecta Pilates mostly has full Pilates workout routines on their YouTube channel. Trifecta Pilates is the channel for you if you’re looking for videos like a 30-minute full-body mat routine or 15-minute Bosu ball stretching routine!

Other Free Pilates Resources

If you’re not a fan of YouTube and want to stay away from the subscription services listed in the live online classes, there are more free online Pilates resources available to you.

R/ Pilates Subreddit. Finding a subreddit around the hobby is the first resource I look for whenever I’m diving into a new hobby. R/ Pilates on Reddit is full of helpful resources, discussion posts, and links to other free Pilates resources online.
Pilates podcasts. Another great source of Pilates information is podcasts. A few great free Pilates podcasts are the Thinking Pilates Podcast, All Things Pilates with Darien Gold, and Pilates Elephants.
Free Pilates websites. Some websites offer free Pilates videos and written material. For example, Your Pilates Physio, which I touched on earlier, offers both free and paid material.

Purchase Reliable Equipment for At-Home Pilates

If you choose to go for live online lessons or use some free Pilates resources, you’ll need some Pilates equipment.

The Minimum Pilates Equipment Essentials

Here are the minimum equipment requirements for practicing Pilates at home:

Pilates mat. A mat is the central piece of your at-home Pilates studio. Almost every Pilates workout requires a mat. You can pick up the AmazonBasics Thick Mat (available on Amazon) to start practicing Pilates at home. This mat is extra thick for maximum comfort, and comes at a very reasonable price.
Workout apparel. You’ll also need some decent fitness apparel to keep yourself agile and comfortable while practicing Pilates. Look into buying lightweight, flexible clothing that won’t hinder your movement. Check out: What are the best clothes for Pilates?
Spare space. The ideal workout space for Pilates is about 12 feet (about 3.7 meters) long and 6 feet (about 1.8 meters) wide. Additionally, you should consider finding an area with decent air circulation to keep yourself temperate while working out.

That’s it! Since Pilates relies on bodyweight exercises, there are only three requirements when practicing Pilates at home. Plus, you probably already have the spare space and workout apparel needed, so all you need is a mat!

If you want further information, check out: A step-by-step guide to getting started with Pilates

Additional Optional Pilates Equipment

You can include some other pieces of Pilates equipment in your at-home Pilates studio if you feel restricted by the number of bodyweight exercises available to you.

Pilates reformers. A Pilates reformer is a machine that has a platform along with sets of springs and pulleys. With a Pilates reformer, the number of possible exercises is greatly increased. Additionally, you can set up the reformer to make some exercises more challenging as you work towards a more advanced level. Check out this article on Pilates reformers to see if they’re right for you!
Pilates ring. The purpose of a Pilates ring is to add resistance to your Pilates workouts, which will increase muscle growth long-term. You can pick up Gaiam’s 15 Inch Pilates Ring (available on Amazon), which is both durable and extremely flexible. Sheerluxe has a great article on using a Pilates ring if you decide to pick one up.
Resistance bands. Resistance bands serve a similar purpose to Pilates rings; both pieces of equipment add resistance to your workouts. However, Pilates rings are geared more towards core resistance, while resistance bands are better for lower body resistance. You can check out these Resistance Exercise Bands (available on Amazon) if they sound interesting to you.
Pilates Cadillacs. Cadillacs are the holy grail of Pilates equipment. However, you’ll be paying for every bit of functionality. The Pilates Cadillac was invented by Joseph Pilates, the father of Pilates. Pilates named his device the Cadillac because he believed Cadillacs to be the peak of luxury, and the Pilates Cadillac device is the peak luxury of Pilates equipment.
Pilates towers. You can look into Pilates towers for a more budget-friendly alternative to the Cadillac. However, they’re still fairly expensive. Pilates towers strip some of the functionality of the Pilates Cadillac to bring you a more affordable option to incorporate in your at-home Pilates studio.
Exercise balls. Exercise balls are the most cost-effective piece of Pilates workout equipment. Exercise balls of all sizes have different applications to further your Pilates journey. Pilates enthusiasts can choose from a wide variety of exercise balls of different sizes and thicknesses. I’d recommend starting with a small but versatile exercise ball, like URBNFit’s 9-inch Exercise Ball (available on Amazon).
Bosu balls. You know those half balls you see at the gym? Those are called Bosu balls, and they’re fantastic for Pilates! The BOSU Pro Balance Trainer (available on Amazon) is a great Bosu ball to pick up! It’s highly praised for its durability, and offers a safe, non-slip Pilates experience.

Before we get off the topic of Pilates equipment, I want to recommend that you should start with just a couple of pieces of equipment. Having a few pieces of Pilates equipment you use regularly will bring you just as much value as having a closet full of different equipment you only use on occasion.

Final Thoughts

Pilates classes come in all different forms. Whether you prefer a live online session, an in-person group class, one on one in-person classes, or you’d prefer to form your own Pilates routines, there are plenty of resources for you to choose from!

Remember why you’re getting into Pilates. Pilates is for staying in shape and keeping yourself in a positive state of mind. Choose the Pilates learning resources that will keep you the happiest and healthiest.

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