Why is Pilates So Expensive?
I was hooked on reformer classes and my package was up.
I reached into my designer handbag and begrudgingly handed over my card. (I was a recent college graduate working at a PR agency. Every dime I made went into my closet. How annoying to have to pay for a service! I liked spending my money on things! Pretty, shiny things.)
Looking back, I thought it was expensive because I was comparing the $35, small group reformer class fee to mat yoga or boot camp classes of 20 people.
“Our certifications and this equipment are expensive,” the teacher explained. She was more patient with me than I deserved.
Fast forward 20 years. I loved Pilates so much, I am certified three times over and teach full-time. I am now the one answering this question.
I now pay well over $100 for a private lesson with a mentor without thinking twice. What’s that? A workshop? Here’s $500. Thinking about that next cert? $6,000 seems reasonable!
It’s not that I am making that much more money. However, my priorities have shifted. I am now investing in myself instead of my closet. I’d rather spend $100 on a private lesson than a bar tab, and if I can’t swing it, I know I can find a great online group class.
And, I am now the one being questioned about the price of Pilates.
SO WHY IS PILATES SO EXPENSIVE?
1.IT’S NOT
Pilates is available for everyone on every budget. There are a ton of free resources online.
However, it is ideal to practice one-on-one, with all apparatuses, under the watchful eye of a trained professional. Yes, that is obviously more expensive.
Even so, private Pilates lessons are in line with, and in some cases less expensive than, private personal training in a gym setting.
Further, when compared to other fitness instruction, Pilates teachers are often using more specialized equipment and go through more training for their teaching certifications. (More on that below.)
Pilates teachers are watching clients like a hawk. Teaching Pilates is a lot more than recording reps, counting down, and keeping the beat.
We are walking you, step-by-step, through a movement experience that is tailored for your body’s specific needs. Every word is carefully chosen to help you generate the most precise movements without pause and to squeeze the juice out of every effort. We provide the ultimate mind-body experience, with the goal of helping you gain complete control of your body to achieve your maximum physical potential…
Frankly, it’s a bargain.
2. PILATES CLASSES ARE SMALLER IN SIZE
Most Pilates group classes are smaller than other fitness classes because participants have to be watched very closely.
Executing Pilates exercises properly requires very precise movements and alignment, which is achieved through specific cueing and individualized corrections by the Pilates teacher. A variety of strategically chosen hands-on and verbal cues are used throughout.
Read: Cues to Use: Best Assisted Stretches on the Reformer.
Pilates also uses specialized equipment that can be dangerous if it’s not operated under the watchful eye of an experienced teacher.
There are franchise and discount studios that offer larger classes sizes for a more affordable price. But, they will generally stick to very basic exercises to keep clients safe.
3. PILATES USES EXPENSIVE APPARATUSES
A single classical Pilates reformer is around $5,000 plus shipping which can be another $1,000.
A fully-equipped, classical Pilates privates studio - with just one single piece of each apparatus - will cost well over $25,000.
Then there are add-ons, props, and maintenance.
The apparatuses are incredibly specialized, many are made to order, there are often long wait times, and installing and maintaining equipment is whole situation. We are not talking about buying a few kettlebells, here.
(Think about that next time your Pilates teacher asks you to remove your sharp jewelry before class. They are not trying to be rude. They just poured their life savings and then some into the equipment you’re banging around.)
4. PILATES TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE EXPENSIVE
Pilates Teacher Trainings are often longer and more expensive than other fitness certification programs.
A reputable, comprehensive Pilates teacher training program will cost thousands of dollars will take about a year to complete.
It will take around 600 hours of “practice teaching” (teaching the studio’s clients as an apprentice), observation (watching other lessons take place) and self-practice (doing Pilates). There are also several, long weekend courses when the material is presented as well as lengthy written and practical test outs. It’s a lot of time and money and a huge commitment. A real, comprehensive Pilates teacher training program can feel like a full-time job.
Many training programs will require you to take regular private lessons with a mentor at their standard rate (usually around $100) for the duration of the training. It ain’t cheap.
Since the industry is not regulated, there are plenty of discounted and watered-down training programs out there, but you get what you pay for.
And if you really want to learn “Pilates,” the real deal, complete system on all apparatuses as it was meant to be taught, it takes time and money. And that is just the beginning…
5. CONTINUING EDUCATION IS FOREVER
The best Pilates teachers are students themselves, constantly learning, studying the method, and improving their own practice and teaching skills.
The initial teacher training certification is a “license to learn,” and only the tip of the iceberg.
Next, comes advanced teacher training programs and workshops, lessons with mentors, conferences and so much more.
Basically, we spend all the money we make on Pilates, on Pilates!
6. TIME IS MONEY
Ultimately, you are paying a Pilates teacher for their time. An hour of their time, whether online or in-person, is an hour of their time.
The more experience and training they have, the more their time is worth.
Trying to bargain with a Pilates teacher is the ultimate insult. If you can’t afford a particular teacher’s services or just don’t want to pay their rate, there are more than enough resources for every price point.
You can access a host of free classes online. (Or, you can do what we did: become a Pilates teacher and get paid to play Pilates all day!)
7. IT’S A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS
Pilates is a wonderful practice that can truly change people’s, but it is a job. It’s how teachers pay their bills.
I once had a Pilates student tell me that Joe Pilates wanted everyone to do Pilates, not just people with money.
Shop Return To Life Welcome Mat For Pilates Studios
True, he did think everyone should do Pilates and even wrote a book called Return to Life Through Contrology (the namesake of Pilatay’s Return to Life welcome mat) outlining the exercises that could be done at home, without a teacher or equipment.
But he actually charged the same rates we charge today, once you factor in inflation.
And his rates were for an open gym concept in which he oversaw several students/clients at once, whereas today we teach private lessons with individualized attention for the full hour.
While private Pilates lessons are the gold standard for learning the full Pilates method, they are also the most expensive option.
If you can’t afford a particular teacher or class, or just don’t want to spend your money on it, that’s ok. We all have different budgets and priorities. There are many more affordable ways to experience the Pilates method, from reformer classes to mat classes and even free online resources. Yay! Pilates for everyone!
8. RUNNING A BUSINESS COSTS MONEY
Paying instructors, renting studio space, insurance, cleaning, marketing, maintaining equipment… the list goes on. It is extremely expensive to run a Pilates studio.
Further, finding and keeping good teachers has only gotten harder due to the time and money it costs to be properly trained.
The prices a teacher and studio charges generally reflect that particular market and how much it costs to do business in that location.
Although Pilates is a life-enhancing practice that we want everyone to experience, studios cannot run on a smile and goodwill, alone.
Read: How To Be Stress-Free And Self-Employed: 5 Lessons I Learned About Being My Own Best Boss
9. PILATES IS AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE AT ANY BUDGET.
Although private lessons at a fully-equipped studio are the best way to learn the full Pilates system, there are many other more affordable ways to practice Pilates.
Joseph Pilates wrote Return to Life Through Contrology, which outlines the mat exercises anyone can do at home without equipment. There are many other books that detail exercises you can do at home, without equipment.
You can follow along with Youtube and online instructional videos.
Pilates teachers on Instagram often give Pilates exercises and tips. Follow @Pilatay
Reformer classes are a more moderate option for people who want to use some equipment, without the price tag of private lessons.
Group mat classes are often a more affordable way to learn Pilates under the watchful eye of an instructor, without the price tag of equipment classes.
Some teachers will do small group equipment classes (duets or semi-privates) that will cost less per person.
Although Pilates may be more expensive than other fitness class options out there, you get what you pay for (usually).
Taking fewer one-on-one lessons with a highly-qualified teacher, and supplementing those with at-home practice will likely get you further than a large group fitness class with no personal attention.
Investing in Pilates is investing in your health and longevity. There is a reason so many people get hooked. Pilates yields results and it feels amazing.
That being said, any movement is better than no movement!
Do you have more to add? Comment below!