What Is Pilates? And What Are The Different Styles?
What are the different types of pilates?
If you’re new to Pilates, or you’re wondering what all the different types of pilates are, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ll take you through the most common types of pilates, describing each one and how it differs from other forms of exercise. If you would like to learn about the benefits of Pilates, check out my other blog post here.
So, if you don’t know your reformer from your dynamic practice, let’s take a look at the different types of pilates.
What is pilates?
First up, before we describe the different types of pilates, it’s important that we know the basis of pilates.
Pilates was developed in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates as a form of exercise to focus on strengthening the body, improving core strength, and increasing flexibility and mobility.
Over the last century, pilates has evolved into a number of different forms, incorporating different pieces of equipment and exercises to target different parts of the body. One common theme that all Pilates classes follow, however, is the use of the following principles:
Breathing - connecting your movements to your breath
Precision - ensuring every movement has purpose
Flow - allowing one movement to flow to the next
Centering - bringing awareness to your centre
Relaxation - stimulating your mind-body connection which allows you to relax
Concentration - bringing your full awareness to every movement
Different Types of Pilates
1. Classic Pilates
Classic pilates, also known as Contrology, is a workout centred around the principles and exercises first developed by Joseph Pilates - who developed over 500 different movements.
A classical Pilates class will take you through the original sequence of exercises without any modifications or variations. Each movement focuses on the six principles, breath, precision, flow, concentration, centering, and relaxation. You will move with your breath and flow from one exercise to the next. Some common classic pilates exercises include the one hundred, roll ups, double and single leg stretches, and the swan dive.
All of the original Classical Pilates exercises can also be performed on the Pilates apparatus, such as the reformer, barrel, and the Cadillac.
Classical Pilates adheres most closely to the exercises, the order, the intentions and the apparatus of Joseph Pilates original classes. In Classical Pilates different abilities are catered for by either omitting an exercise or by using a different piece of apparatus to develop the technique.
2. Clinical Pilates
Clinical Pilates is a variation of Classical Pilates stripped down to the basics, and usually performed in a class of 1-4 people in order to offer patient-specific treatments after an injury or surgery.
Clinical Pilates differs from Classical because it takes into account an individual’s specific injuries and physical needs and modifies the exercises based on the individual.
A Clinical Pilates instructor has expert knowledge and training in exercise physiology and pathology. This allows the instructor to tailor a program with targeted exercises that improve and address the patient’s concern and reduces the risk of aggravating and re-injuring. The level of personalisation that Clinical Pilates offers is not available in traditional Pilates classes.
3. Reformer Pilates
When many people think of pilates, their minds might automatically go straight to those strange bed-like contraptions - these are what we call reformers.
Reformer pilates is done using a reformer bed. Originally developed during world war 1 when Joseph Pilates attached springs to the beds of wounded soldiers to allow them to do resistance exercises from bed. Joseph Pilates then worked to further develop the reformer as an exercise apparatus used within his Pilates studio. Fast forward 100 years, and what started as a bed with springs, evolved into the resistance reformer bed we all know today and is used in studios all over the world.
Reformer pilates adds a layer of resistance to each movement, by adding internal pressure to lengthen the spine, joints and muscles which then leads to greater strength and flexibility.
If you haven’t done so already, I’d highly recommend trying a reformer class in your local studio.
4. Dynamic Pilates
Dynamic pilates, also referred to as contemporary pilates, is a workout which takes the classic style Joseph Pilates created, and modernises the workout to include a range of new movements and exercises.
The exercises are often modified to suit the ability of the client and there is no order followed. You will find a dynamic class to be a little more upbeat with a lot of additional range of movements added to each exercise such as pulses, circles, and holds - this will really get those muscles fired up! You can also expect to play with a range of equipment such as the soft pilates ball, dumbbells, bands, or ankle weights.
Dynamic pilates is a full-body workout which incorporates mat-based, and standing exercises as well as small equipment to build gradual levels and variations. Within dynamic pilates, there is an emphasis on building core strength and posture improvement.
The apparatus has been modified as well, such as the footbar on the Reformer can be set at varying heights or options of lighter spring tension. This can allow for more breadth of variation and modification. Contemporary Pilates exercises may clearly derive from an authentic Pilates exercise or only have the tiniest nod to Pilates, blink and you miss it!
You can participate in a Dynamic Pilates class either in-studio or at home by following an online workout.
If you’d like to try a free dynamic pilates class, check out my class ‘Full Body Dynamic Pilates’ as part of my 7-day free trial.
Conclusion: Types of Pilates
While there are many different types of pilates, all styles focus on strengthening your core, improving flexibility, mobility, and bringing awareness to your body.
Here at Kala Pilates, we offer both clinical and dynamic pilates, If you are looking to recover from an injury or focus on a specific goal I offer one-to-one clinical pilates training both in-person and online. However, if you are looking for a sculpting and killer workout you can find hundreds of these on my online platform or join one of my live classes online or in person.
Discover Kala Pilates and reach your full potential today - start your 7-day free trial.
