We’re seeing more and more Pilates studios offering at-home options for people to join online classes and follow along virtually with a Pilates instructor. While virtual Pilates may have gained popularity through stay-at-home orders, now that the option is so widespread and accessible, you have the choice to join these virtual classes even when you can leave the house. Or you could head into the studio to get that in-person experience. Which is best for you? Let’s compare your options.  

Why Choose Pilates at Home

The convenience and comfort of doing Pilates at home through our virtual classes can’t be beat. Those who sign up don’t need to leave their home to exercise, and don’t even need to share their camera with the class. You gain privacy, which is great for those who might feel anxious about their Pilates performance.  

Although, if you are comfortable sharing your camera, you can get better support from the instructor as they can still check to see your form.  The instructor is there to help and guide you through the exercises, after all! 

If you are just starting out with Pilates, you can use basic equipment that you may already have at home. Or you can purchase more advanced Pilates equipment for yourself – though it’s certainly not required. The advantage to compiling your own equipment is that you can then do Pilates whenever you want, without the need to ever go to a studio.  

Performing Pilates at home has many conveniences, but it’s not without its drawbacks. Pilates in a studio can be safer, and many find a group environment to be more motivating.  

Why Choose Pilates in Studio

The in-studio experience is hard to match. Sure, you have to drive into the studio, but many people find that the physical environment of being in-studio is what helps them to follow-through on their workout.   

Arguably the best benefit of doing Pilates in-studio is that you have all of the support that you need, which can make it a safer activity and help to prevent injury. Our instructors can actually see your whole form from all angles and can give you tips on how to better perform the exercises or how to adjust them based on your goals and limitations. Plus, we have all of the Pilates equipment that you need right in the studio, so there’s no need to invest in your own! We will show you how to use all equipment the correct way, even the Reformer. You’re more than welcome to make use of our equipment, and the techniques you learn are all transferrable if you do ever decide to purchase your own. 

As you don’t need equipment when you join us in the studio, in-person Pilates classes can be less of an initial investment. With the support of your instructor and the other people in the class, many also find that they are more likely to follow-through with their classes, showing up consistently and making the most of their time in class. If you’re partly into Pilates for the social element, or as a way to bond with friends you bring to class, then in-person undoubtedly provides a better experience to connect.  

That said, in-person isn’t for everyone. You need to drive out, bring your water bottle, and then head home before you even get to shower. If that will stop you from attending class, virtual may be a better option for you.  

Practice Pilates with Us 

Whether you feel like in-person or virtual classes are a better fit for you, we provide both at ABsolute Pilates. Sign up for our classes today.  

You can do Pilates without equipment but adding resistance through a Pilates bar can make your workouts even more impactful and help you to build strength even faster. If you need to up the challenge in your Pilates workout and you’re looking at Pilates bars as a solution, you may be a bit overwhelmed by all of the options to choose from. Which is the best bar for your specific purposes? Here are some things to consider when you’re making your decision.

Level of Resistance

As when buying free weights, you want to think about how much resistance the bar and its bands will offer your workout. If you already have great muscle development, bands with high resistance are important for an extra challenge. Most bars have the option to adjust to some degree, by rolling the bands around the bar. However, you’ll still want high quality bands that will provide the optimal challenge for your skill level. The best way to test them is to pull on them in real life, but if you’re buying online you may also be able to find bands that have a weight rating.

Durability

The material of the bar and bands, and the connections between the two, will determine how durable the Pilates bar is and how long it will last. You’ll have to balance durability with cost. Bars made with steel and high-quality metals, and bands made with high quality rubbers will tend to be more expensive, though they’ll be able to handle strenuous workouts for longer. Beware of hollow cords, aluminum bars and cheap-looking plastic connectors, as they’ll likely have a short lifespan.

Comfort

You want to be comfortable during your workout so that you can focus on your form and challenging yourself physically. Pilates bars have many features that can help to make your workout more comfortable. Adjustable, padded foot loops are key. You may also find bars that are padded and offer sweat absorption. Otherwise, hold the bars yourself to compare their relative comfort and find a Pilates bar that suits you.

Height

Many of the bars you buy online will not adjust for people who are on the taller side. Look at the reviews to spot if this is the case for the bars that you’re interested in. In general, bars with straps that aren’t adjustable usually aren’t ideal for people not of average height, whether they’re taller or shorter than the average. If the only way to adjust the bands is to wrap them around the bar, then you may want to look elsewhere to find a bar suited to your stature.

Portability

Don’t be fooled by the online reviews that equate the bar’s weight to its portability. If you’re doing Pilates, you can carry the bar to and from your car. What really matters for portability is if the bar fits in your car or can fold up in order to fit in your vehicle or bike bag. Some bars fold up. Otherwise, you may want to take a measurement of your trunk and ensure the bar will fit in. If you go for a fold-up bar, be sure to read reviews to ensure you’re not sacrificing durability or strength for portability’s sake.

Exercises

If you’re exercising at home, you may be swayed by products that offer exercise guides to show you how to use the bar. Some have paper or digital instructions to teach you new moves. If you’re a beginner to Pilates, a bar that comes with guidance and example exercises may be just what you need to get the ball rolling. Or, use your bar at your Physiotherapy appointments and get professional guidance from Meadowland’s physiotherapists. Don’t have a bar? Join a class at ABsolute Pilates and use our equipment under the watchful eye of certified Pilates instructors!