An increasingly confusing landscape
Classical, contemporary, and mixed-method studios all offer instruction based on a core set of exercises developed and taught by Joseph Pilates and his wife Clara. Joseph Pilates referred to the work as Contrology and viewed it as a complete system built on breathwork, precision, and coordination rather than just a sequence of exercises. The system centers on strengthening the powerhouse, his term for the muscles of the abdomen, lower back, hips, and glutes that stabilize the trunk and enable controlled movement. His mat repertoire is set down in Return to Life Through Contrology (1945), which is still in print.
Though they begin from the same base, approaches now vary significantly, and there are no well-defined criteria for distinguishing classical from contemporary studios. Several factors contributed to this divergence. Pilates naturally evolved as it was passed from instructor to student and each emphasized different aspects of the original method. Advances in exercise science and biomechanics further led some teachers to modify elements of the system. Boutique fitness studios across a range of disciplines began to flourish. And a 2000 trademark ruling made “Pilates” a generic term in the United States, allowing anyone to use it regardless of whether their instruction was based on Joseph Pilates’ original work or not. The result is a wide spectrum of offerings that now use the Pilates name.
Classical Pilates
Classical Pilates strives for fidelity to the system Joseph Pilates designed. This means reliance on his original repertoire of exercises, performed in a consistent order, on apparatus built to his original specifications. Classes at a classical studio will not always include the exact same exercises, but they follow a set pattern and aim for a balanced, full-body workout. Instruction at a classical studio is likely to include precise cues for exercises and transitions with attention to breathwork throughout.
Classical studios employ teachers trained in classical programs such as Romana’s Pilates, The Pilates Standard, and Real Pilates or trained directly by one of Joseph Pilates’ direct students. Apparatus in these studios typically comes from one of four manufacturers that build to his original specifications: Gratz, Pilates Designs, the Contrology line by Balanced Body and TechnoPilates. Classical studios are also generally equipped with the full original suite of apparatus rather than mats or reformers alone.
Why lineage matters in classical contexts
Lineage is the chain of teachers through which a practitioner learned the method, tracing back to Joseph Pilates. Generations are the steps in that chain. Students who studied directly with Joseph are sometimes referred to as Elders and are the first-generation, their students are second-generation, and so on. In classical settings, a teacher’s lineage is a meaningful credential. In contemporary settings, training-program affiliation and certification carry more of the signal.
Contemporary Pilates
Contemporary Pilates uses Joseph Pilates’ work as a base that it then evolves for a number of different reasons. These include incorporating new scientific research, integrating lessons from other movement modalities, or responding to different markets and client interests. Contemporary programs may add new exercises, modify existing ones, or restructure how the method is taught.
The largest contemporary programs are STOTT PILATES (produced by Merrithew), Polestar Pilates, BASI Pilates, Peak Pilates, and Balanced Body’s teacher-training arm. Beyond that, there are many local studio chains each with their own personality and focus. Merrithew presents STOTT PILATES as a contemporary method grounded in biomechanics research. Polestar was founded by a physical therapist and is built around rehabilitation. BASI was founded by a movement and dance educator and organizes the repertoire into a progressive system. New York Pilates, a local chain example, was founded in partnership with a DJ and places an extra emphasis on the studio environment highlighting its chic design and curated playlists. Balanced Body manufactures for both traditions, producing contemporary designs alongside its Contrology line built to the original specifications.
Contemporary apparatus reflects the same approach, updating the original designs or introducing new equipment to support revised exercises. Contemporary reformers, for example, commonly use springs of varying weight, while classical reformers follow Joseph Pilates’ original design of four springs of even weight. Contemporary studios will also often incorporate other fitness equipment such as Bosu balls and TRX bands.
Contemporary is a broad category, and studios within it differ from one another as much as they differ from classical studios. A therapeutic-focused practice working with post-surgical clients, a small studio teaching comprehensive apparatus work, and a 15-reformer room running cardio-driven classes to music are all contemporary. To help sort through this diversity, the Pilates Index tags studios by specialty so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.
Mixed-method studios
The Pilates Index designates a studio as mixed-method when they offer dedicated classes from more than one method in their schedule. In practice this means that a client seeking classical or contemporary instruction could find a class to serve their needs at the studio. To receive this classification, a studio must list separate classical and contemporary classes and have teachers trained in each approach. A studio that blends the two within a single class is not mixed-method.
Why some practitioners prefer each
Some practitioners prefer classical because they value learning a fixed set of exercises deeply over time, and because they want the method taught as the integrated system Joseph Pilates designed.
Some prefer contemporary because it incorporates research from outside the original system and can draw on a wider set of knowledge to meet the needs of a specific client. Contemporary programs also commonly offer modular training paths, such as mat-only or reformer-only training, and population-specific specializations as standalone credentials, where classical treats the method as a single integrated system across all apparatus.
Some prefer mixed-method studios because they want to experiment with both options while retaining a sense of community.
The best form of Pilates is the one that works for you. New practitioners should try more than one method to see what best meets their needs and preferences.