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How to Set Up a Pilates Studio at Home?

  • Author: lesley.logan
  • March 30, 2024
Home  »  Blog   »   How to Set Up a Pilates Studio at Home?
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Can I Practice Pilates at Home?

I first fell in love with Pilates on the mat. I’ll admit I actually didn’t even know what Pilates was when I went to my first mat class. But, I gave it a go and fell in freaking love with Pilates after my first 100!  You may not know what the Pilates 100 is but I promise after this blog post you will have the tools you need to dive into Pilates without having to step out of your own door (office or home).

From Passion to Practice

When I first discovered Pilates I was just out of college (private college that I paid for myself with loans) and strapped for cash. But I loved the way the practice made me feel during and after. It challenged my muscles in ways I didn’t even know was possible and I was hooked, obsessed and hungry for that feeling every day!  I discovered a place near my house that had a membership, I adjusted my work schedule and I went every single day. Yep, EVERY SINGLE DAY to class. I warned you I was obsessed.

Ultimate Guide to a Thriving Home Practice

But, then life happened. I was transferred to Los Angeles and couldn’t afford that membership and with traffic and my work schedule, I couldn’t get to any classes. Fate is an interesting thing as this was well before PilatesAnytime.com and so I found myself becoming a Pilates instructor to feed my desire for Pilates in my life. I started off teaching the Mat after all this is where I fell in love with Pilates and until this year was teaching up to five or six public classes a week.

Tips for a Successful Home Routine

Now, almost ten years later I find my life in a place I never dreamt of.  Teaching Pilates all over the world and online! And because of technology, I can now help more people like you experience your own Pilates practice. And yes, it is possible to have a fantastic Pilates practice without breaking your bank or having to have a membership to a gym or drive across town.

How to Cultivate Your Perfect Home Practice

Let’s talk about all the things you need to rock a Pilates mat practice at your own home or office:

  1. A Mat! Yes, you can use a yoga mat but they are generally thin and if your floor is hardwood this is not going to be pleasant for the rolling exercises. You can purchase a thicker mat like this one or go super big and buy a real folding mat with the handles and straps. If you are new to Pilates I recommend starting with a thick mat you can roll up and out.
  2. Make a space. You’ll want to easily be able to lay out your mat and then have about an arms distance on either side of the mat to move without hitting anything. Maybe you have to move things around to do this but if you can find a spot that allows you to leave your mat out or easily roll it out you are more likely to keep your practice up.
  3. Schedule it in your life! Often times having a home workout practice doesn’t work because something you can do anytime ends up being done in no time. Take a look at your general schedule and grab a sharpie (yes a sharpie) and schedule in your moments of movement. If you have to move it you’re more likely to put it somewhere else. If it’s not in the schedule, well, out of sight out of mind and body.
  4. Get online! There are some amazing ways to enjoy a consistent home practice (or office practice). Join me weekly for a 30 min mat class that is all levels. Class drops Tuesday 2 pm PST and is up until Thursday 2 pm PST giving you the flexibility to take it anywhere in the world you are and the accountability that a set class time offers.  Sign up for this week’s class here! I also highly recommend PilatesAnytime.com. They have Pilates classes on every apparatus, at every level and with a variety of teachers and length of times. Try them out with my code LLOGAN and enjoy 30 days of free Pilates.
  5. Prop out. Props are great ways to challenge, assist and resist our own bodies. When you have found yourself regularly hitting the mat invest in your self and purchase one or all of the following: Magic Circle, 1 or 2lb weights, a strong Thera-band and a triad ball.
  6. Ask questions! That’s what I am here for. Seriously, if you are struggling with an exercise, a tight spot or simply looking for a good teacher in your area just ask. You can contact me here and we will get you all set up.

Pilates is a practice that can be tailored to every body. All you have to do is show up! When are you going to start showing up on your mat?

xx~LL 

By lesley.logan

Lesley Logan, NCPT, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise tutorial videos, where you can also find weekly online mat classes and workshops. When not teaching from her studio in Los Angeles, Lesley can be found traveling the world leading Pilates retreats, or offering Pilates business coaching to studio owners and other instructors through her private mastermind group. Connect with Lesley on instagram @lesley.logan or through the contact page on this site.

Loving this Pilates exercise tutorial? Take weekly online Pilates mat classes with OPC Teachers.
Enjoying Lesley's teaching style? Willing to travel? Explore the world while maintaining your practice by joining Lesley on a Pilates retreat.

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SUCH A TEASE

ONLINE MAT & REFORMER PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Teaser is probably one of the most photographed exercises in Pilates. Which makes people think it's a "peak pose." But, it's anything but! It's simply another layer to your Pilates practice. This week we will acknowledge how each exercise contributes to your ability to do Teaser (someday) and then how Teaser teaches you where to get curious in your practice.

On the Mat we will use light weights for one round of Teaser as they can be helpful for those still adding into their practice.
No props on the Reformer.

See you in class,

xx~LL

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights and a Mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a Reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.

SWING LIFE AWAY

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

So much of Pilates movement we get to experience in the real world too! In class this week we’ll feel the similarities between swinging on a swing and movements in our Pilates practice. We will have fun imagining while we swing life away.

Mat props: Rod or a swiffer stick
Reformer Props: box, grip pad

See you in class,
Megan Lauman

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, Rod or a swiffer stick and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, box, grip pad and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


WEIGHTS NOT WEIGHING YOU DOWN

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Welcome to "Weights Not Weighing You Down"! In this class, we’re skipping the straps and we’ll be using light weights (1-2 pounds), or if you don’t have those, something like water bottles will do. I want you to notice just how much the straps and springs usually help, but more importantly, this is your chance to avoid muscling through the work. Let’s focus on finding where your arms move from your back and really connect to that throughout the class.

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

PLANK YOU VERY MUCH!

ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Do you know how to stop time... Do a timed Plank!! So this month we will not be stopping time, but we will go though all of the points you should think about when you are doing a plank. There are many planks throughout the Mat and Reformer work. Working on these areas from head to toe and making them all come together for each Plank! Arm/back connection, Thass® connection, and how do we stay out of those wrists? On each apparatus we will help you find these areas and strengthen your Plank each time!

Tower/Cadillac - no props
Wunda Chair - optional mat
Mat - light weights and a magic circle
Reformer - no props

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

ABS, BACK, GLUTES, THIGHS

Online Mat, Reformer, Cadillac & Wunda Chair Pilates Class Descriptions:

Todrick Hall’s song “nails, hair, hips, heels” came on during one of my playlists, and it got my brain thinking of how to turn this song and use it for Pilates, and boom, here’s this month’s theme - abs, back, glutes, thighs. With Pilates being a full-body workout, think of this as your checklist as you work out this month since these are all connected while we practice all of our exercises on all of the apparatuses.

Abs, back, glutes, thighs, check, check, check, check!

Props for Wunda Chair: yoga block (or a couple of hardcover books)

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

THE WALL WAY

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

We're going to use our wall or something you can stand up against! I like using the wall because it lets us know where we are today, and where we are at the end of class. On the Reformer we will use our carriage like the wall!

It's important to give ourselves permission to be where we are today. Our bodies are different every single day - pat yourself on the back for showing up today!! Celebrate!

See ya in class,
xx-LL 💋

MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a mat!

>> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

>> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


FALL IN LOVE WITH TEASER

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Teaser is usually a love hate relationship for most people! What’s really interesting is that Teaser sneaks its way into lots of exercises on the Mat and Reformer. 

Through these classes, we will have a little fun adding Teaser into other exercises and also adding variations to help you build your Teaser!

Come fall in love with it again or maybe for the first time!

No props needed.

See you in class,
Mindi

FALL IN LOVE WITH TEASER

Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

Teaser is usually a love hate relationship for most people! What’s really interesting is that Teaser sneaks its way into lots of exercises on the Mat and Reformer. 

Through these classes, we will have a little fun adding Teaser into other exercises and also adding variations to help you build your Teaser!

Come fall in love with it again or maybe for the first time!

No props needed.

See you in class,
Mindi

    MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a mat!

    >> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

    REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self and a reformer!

    >> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


    SWING LIFE AWAY

    Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

    So much of Pilates movement we get to experience in the real world too! In class this week we’ll feel the similarities between swinging on a swing and movements in our Pilates practice. We will have fun imagining while we swing life away.

    Reformer Props: box, grip pad
    Mat props: Rod or a swiffer stick

    See you in class,
    Megan

    WEIGHTS NOT WEIGHING YOU DOWN

    Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

    Welcome to "Weights Not Weighing You Down"! In this class, we’re skipping the straps and we’ll be using light weights (1-2 pounds), or if you don’t have those, something like water bottles will do. I want you to notice just how much the straps and springs usually help, but more importantly, this is your chance to avoid muscling through the work. Let’s focus on finding where your arms move from your back and really connect to that throughout the class.

    See ya in class,
    xx-LL 💋

    MAT EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights and a mat!

    >> Wondering what mat I’m using? You can find out more here.

    REFORMER EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Your awesome self, light weights and a reformer!

    >> Wondering what reformer I’m using? You can find out more here.


    PULL ME UP

    Online Mat & Reformer Pilates Class Descriptions:

    The beauty of Pilates is based on lifting the spine in every exercise!

    For years I tend to tuck my pelvis when doing Hundred, Roll-up, Teaser etc… I used to pull up from the wrong place and didn´t get the lift! This made my back feel bad, I‘ve got tight hip flexors and weak back body muscles. Since then I am exploring the longest round shape aka C-Curve and pelvic stability. I would love to share this with you in this week‘s Mat and Reformer Class. We will find ways to bend through our center spine instead of tucking the pelvis or rounding the shoulders which will help us to open up our low backs and making flexion safe.

    Let‘s feel our center deeply!

    Mat Props: Pole (Broomstick), Magic Circle, A small rolled up towel, Wall
    Reformer Props: (Box, Non-slipping Pad), A small rolled up towel, Squishy Ball/Soft Ball

    See you in class,
    Yasmin

    UP, UP, & AWAY

    ONLINE MAT, REFORMER, CADILLAC & WUNDA CHAIR PILATES CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

    We are all going to feel like Super Humans after this month!!

    Whenever I’m in a hard exercise (for me) where I’m holding myself up with my arms and reaching my legs away I picture myself with super human strength!!! I can do ANYTHING! It makes me smile and helps me stay STRONG.

    This month our exercise is Up Stretch and when you think about it - reaching your legs away and staying strong over the carriage may feel a lot like flying!

    We’ll be focusing on stabilizing our strong cores while staying equally balanced in our arms and legs. We are giving you some amazing building blocks by merging strength and stretch in all directions. You are going to get a little bit of everything that you can use to connect to your Up Stretch (and even your Roll Up and Knee Stretches Off).

    Chair: Please have a foam roller and a balance pad available. We are going to challenge your balance safely.

    xx-LL