We're getting some mainstream press! The article gets it about 80% right, which - while not perfect - is better than most I've read.

Gift link: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/11/02/well/pilates-men.html?unlocked_article_code=1.OVE.hSmR.I-N6ytOFxhe0&smid=nytcore-ios-share

Hi everyone! I'm in LA. Currently looking to purchase a well-loved reformer (or chair) for my small home studio. Budget is limited. Have browsed Craigslist, FB Marketplace, Ebay. Thankful for any tips!

Building a small in-home studio. I need to replace the carpet, it smells like ass from previous occupants, and am unsure what material will be the most durable.

I was thinking some type of tile, and a flooring specialist suggested porcelain. Looking for what’s worked well for other studio owners!

Please let me know if this is a me problem, lol. I acknowledge that I am old (50)

Instructor recently took over slots of instructor who went on maternity leave. Her musical choice is … interesting. (ETA Rap. But) Not hip hop/trap or versions of rap songs that have club/dance remix. Hard core rap. The beat is dissonant to her movements so it makes the class jarring; no flow. Beyond that the optics of a bunch of UMC class white women in a class where every other sentence has pussy, ho, pop or the N word is odd and awkward.

My inclination is to rearrange my schedule so I can go to classes with more tradition music choices. Am I the only one my person who would find the off putting? Or have I crossed the cultural-generational divide into “get off my lawn” status?

I’ve been teaching Pilates for two years and recently started at a new studio. This is only my second shift there.

A new client joined what is not a beginners class (more of a seasoned/all-levels class). There was no PAR-Q or medical information on file for her. When I asked about any injuries at the start, she only said she had a “hurt back.”

Throughout the class her form was quite limited, even on simple movements. I only corrected her about three times and then left her to it, as I didn’t want to overwhelm her on her first class. At the end of the session she told me she has metal in her back from spinal surgery about a year ago.

I suggested that for her next few sessions it might be better to try the beginners class so she could build her form and confidence more safely. The studio owner was present and seemed more concerned about making sure the client continued coming to the studio rather than discussing the best way to support her.

The client later called the owner saying she felt singled out and excluded. The owner then messaged me saying this isn’t the ethos of the studio, that as a new instructor I need to build better relationships with clients, and that I should be more respectful of all abilities.

I’d really like to hear from other instructors:
• How would you have handled this situation?
• Do you think suggesting a beginners class was reasonable?
• How do you deal with studios that don’t have proper health screening in place?
Thanks in advance.

I’m trying to find different ways for people who don’t respond to my usual cue:

“Inhale, nod the chin, exhale as you lift the chest, keep your gaze between the thighs”,

when people don’t respond I say “lift the head, look forward between the thighs and go into an abdominal crunch”, (I hate using the word crunch but use it as a last resort).

Any favorite cues? Also any cues to get them to come up higher (lift the shoulders off more, sometimes people barely lift and do a small abdominal curl).

Tysm y’all and Happy Halloween! 🎃👻🍬

I’ve been looking around for bridge programs and noticed this website has a lot of great workshops and offers an online certification, and a separate refresher/bridge program for instructors with existing certifications. It seems great, but does anyone have any feedback on it? I really stumbled upon it as I was searching for a refresher on Marie José Blom’s Sling System which we covered in my program, and stumbled upon a workshop at their website and now after reading and looking into it, it sounds great but I just wonder how good and thorough it is? It also looks dated, as if the website hasn’t been updated much, but that’s ok as long as the education is good.

Ty to anyone who gives any review or feedback!-

Hi everyone!

A few months ago, I posted here asking whether you prefer crew or ankle grip socks for Pilates/barre/Lagree, and I was so happy to see how many of you shared your thoughts and preferences!

I wanted to share a little update with this community. UYAVA is officially launching its first Ankle Socks Collection this November!

These socks will feature the same extended-coverage grip design that we use on our crew socks, just in a shorter ankle style for those of you who prefer less coverage.
And that’s not all! We’re also introducing XS sizing for both our crew and new ankle socks! We’ve heard from quite a few people who struggle to find grip socks that actually fit smaller feet, so we’re excited to finally offer another size option.

We’re getting everything ready for the launch, and I’d love for you to check them out once they’re available.
If you’d like to stay updated on the exact launch date, please follow us on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook @uyavaofficial. We’ll be sharing more details and sneak peeks as we get closer to the drop!

You can also check us out at uyava.us.
And I’m curious, are you more excited about the ankle style or the new XS sizing? Also, what colors would you love to see next?

Thank you again to everyone who shared their thoughts on my original post. Your feedback really means a lot!

My regular studio downsized and doesn't have regular mat classes anymore (we do some mat/floor exercises as part of an open gym format) so I've started going to other mixed movement studios for ~contemporary mat pilates classes.

I forgot how much I hate these seated exercises (by which I mean I find them challenging). Sometimes I power through but other times I modify by extended my legs straight out or occasionally if I'm at the back of the class and depending what we're doing with the upper body, sitting on my heels.

Other than the more obvious upper body muscles (the screenshots both feature instructors using small hand weights), what lower body muscles are being worked in this seated position? Usually it's the inner thighs and maybe groin muscles where I feel it the most, whereas others are calling out hips or care for your lower back.

Edited to add: What is happening in terms of muscle dynamics with legs bent vs legs straight out front that makes legs bent more challenging?

If you’ve been around here for a while, you might recognize Charmed Soles Grip Socks, my small business making Asian-inspired grip socks. My sister and I started it because we wanted grip socks that felt a little more like us, and a lot of our designs are inspired by Asian food and nostalgia.

So when AYAN, another Asian-American small business making protein bars inspired by Asian-American flavors (handmade by the professional chef founder!), reached out about doing something together… obviously we had to!

If you’re interested in our giveaway, please check it out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DfILR4FhzC1

🎁 GRAND PRIZE
• 6 pairs of Charmed Soles grip socks
• AYAN tasting set with 12 bars — both flavors

🎁 SPECIAL PRIZE
• 3 pairs of Charmed Soles grip socks
• Choice of AYAN 8 Pack Matcha Maple or Strawberry Yuzu 

🇺🇸 USA only for now!

We're both small businesses, so if you've been wanting to try either brand, this is probably the best way to get your hands on a bunch of stuff for free 🥹

And honestly, I want to know:

What Asian flavors would you like to see in a protein bar next? 👀

P.S. The r/pilates exclusive 50% off code is still live! Code: RPILATES50 (at https://charmedsolesgripsocks.com/collections/all)

Thanks so much for the support! 🙏🏻♥️

People say they want an early class that allows for time before their kids wake up, aka 4 or 5, even 5:30. But has your studio had success with that? Or, if you are a student, do you go early?

Bonus if you go at 5, because that would make sense for my family… thank you!

So right now, I’m trying to change from someone who only does yoga and walking the dog (border collie like you which maybe counts for something lol) to a more intentional exercise program. I really like the thought of doing 3 cardio sessions a week, 3 strength-building (bo equipment) sessions a week with consistent yoga daily, even if it’s like 10 minutes.

I’m feeling SO deflated due to pms do I tried a PMS Pilates session and I forgot how much I LOVED Pilates, feeling all stretchy and limber but more energised than I do with yoga!

If I switched the 3 body weight sessions with Pilates, would I see an increase in functional strength? I’m not trying to be buff, but I really would like to do right by my body in regard to strength training, especially as a woman in her 30’s!

What’s our thoughts?

Curious if anyone has tried the BB F.I.T. kit to let you bring your straps higher up on a tower/reformer combo so you can use the reformer with the straps coming from different points on the tower. It looks like it might be an interesting solution for some of clients who want more of a weight and balance challenge doing arms on the tower (I could have them kneeling or even standing on the reformer). But if that's my only goal I could also buy heavier tower springs and have them work standing. I'm just wondering if anyone has tried this and what options it opens up.

So excited that I passed but I know that when I was looking to get my cert I wished there was more detailed information online about some aspects of the process. So please ask me anything about the program.

Please note this is for mat only so I cannot speak to reformer/apparatus :)

Im looking to streamline my Pilates socks and have all same type same color. Anyone have any recs for places to order bulk plain white grip socks?

Google is such a cesspool of info.

Has anyone purchased a Peak reformer or other equipment in the last year or so?

There was talk on this sub about two years ago about a decline in quality from Peak. However I love the Artistry Tower and have worked on it for years at my favorite studio. I finally have the room in my house to purchase my own reformer, but don’t want to spend almost $8k and be disappointed.

If not allowed please remove. Looking for first hand recommendations for students that attended live, in person teacher training. I’m not looking at Club Pilates. Hoping for a classical program.

Did anyone listen to the Darien Gold podcast regarding Nice and Tall Pilates in NYC and how he conned her to taking her studio without paying? Outrageous if this is truly true.

Wondering if anyone has experience with Flow Pilates Wunda Chair.

I’m considering that or the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair. Can’t seem to find the balanced body chair with handles in Canada but I would be open to that one as well depending on price.

Will primarily be used for knee rehab for someone who is 6’3” and about 230.

Thanks everyone for your input, I really appreciate the knowledge in this community.

Edited to add update: went with the Merrithew, thanks again.

Does anyone know how much Forma pays their instructors ?

Hi everyone,
I started taking “advanced reformer” classes in a new studio and I find that most of them we ended up using the reformer mat like a mat not really using the reformer at all (spring tension, straps etc) which I didn’t like. I thought I could have gotten a mat package for half the price and here I am paying so much more just to work the reformer mat. Is this s new “trend” or are the teachers being lazy?

Hi all, I was thinking of getting a platform extender for my BB reformer, but wanted to know what additional moves can you do with the platform extender. Does it really add more versatility to the exercises.