Classical Pilates vs. Reformer Pilates: What’s the Difference (And Which Is Right for You)?

# Classical Pilates vs. Reformer Pilates: What’s the Difference (And Which Is Right for You)?

**Quick answer:** Classical Pilates is the original method developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, taught as a precise sequence on authentic equipment like the Reformer, Cadillac, and Tower. Reformer Pilates refers specifically to workouts performed on the Reformer apparatus — and can be either classical or contemporary in style. The biggest difference isn’t the machine; it’s the method, the lineage, and how the exercises are taught.

If you’ve searched “Pilates near me” in Boston this year, you’ve probably noticed the word *Pilates* attached to dozens of very different workouts — some closer to a fitness class, some closer to physical therapy, some closer to the original work Joseph Pilates designed a century ago. This guide breaks down what actually separates them so you can choose the studio that fits your body and your goals.

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## What is Classical Pilates?

Classical Pilates is the original method created by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s and refined over his lifetime in his New York studio. It is taught as a specific order of exercises on a specific set of apparatus, with cues and transitions passed down through a direct teaching lineage from Joseph Pilates to his students and their students.

Three things define a classical Pilates practice:

– **A set order of exercises.** The work is sequenced intentionally — each exercise prepares the body for the next.
– **Authentic apparatus.** Classical studios use Gratz equipment, the same specifications Joseph Pilates designed and the standard used by his direct students.
– **A teaching lineage.** Instructors trace their training through teachers who studied directly with Joseph Pilates or his first-generation students.

At Endurance Pilates and Yoga in Boston’s South End, our classical lineage traces directly to Joseph Pilates through master teachers Sari Mejia Santo and Brooke Siler.

## What is Reformer Pilates?

Reformer Pilates means any Pilates workout performed on the Reformer — the sliding-carriage apparatus with springs, straps, and a footbar that Joseph Pilates invented. The Reformer is one piece of equipment within the larger Pilates system, not the system itself.

Reformer classes can be:

– **Classical** — taught in the original order, on authentic Gratz apparatus, by lineage-trained instructors.
– **Contemporary** — modernized variations that adapt or reorder the exercises, often on third-party reformers built to different specifications.
– **Fitness-style** — high-energy group classes that borrow Reformer movements but treat them like a workout circuit rather than a method.

All three call themselves “Reformer Pilates.” Understanding which one you’re walking into matters — especially if you have a specific goal like rehabilitation, posture correction, or building a long-term practice.

## How is classical Pilates different from contemporary Pilates?

Classical Pilates preserves the original order, equipment specifications, and teaching framework. Contemporary Pilates adapts those elements — sometimes thoughtfully, sometimes loosely.

The practical differences a student feels:

– **Pacing.** Classical work flows in a continuous sequence; you move from one exercise into the next with minimal setup time.
– **Equipment feel.** Gratz reformers have specific spring tensions and dimensions that match how Joseph Pilates designed the exercises to feel in the body. Contemporary reformers often use different springs and proportions.
– **Cueing.** Classical instructors use cues passed down through their teaching lineage. The language is precise and consistent across studios in the same tradition.
– **Progression.** Classical work has a built-in progression — beginner, intermediate, and advanced exercises are clearly defined within the system.

Neither approach is universally “better.” But if you want the method as Joseph Pilates designed it — with the equipment, sequence, and teaching tradition intact — that’s classical Pilates.

## What is a Tower class?

A Tower class is a group Pilates class taught on the Tower apparatus, which features a vertical frame with springs, push-through bars, and roll-down bars attached to a mat. Tower work bridges what’s possible on the mat with what’s possible on the Cadillac (a larger version of the same apparatus).

Tower is one of the most effective ways to learn classical Pilates in a group setting because the springs provide both assistance and resistance, making advanced work accessible to beginners and giving experienced students a deeper challenge.

Endurance Pilates and Yoga offers the only group Tower class in Boston.

## Is Pilates good for beginners?

Yes — Pilates is well-suited to beginners because the system is built to meet bodies where they are. Every classical exercise has modifications that scale the movement up or down, and the apparatus itself provides feedback that helps new students find correct alignment faster than mat work alone.

What beginners should look for in a first studio:

– **Small class sizes** so the instructor can see and correct your form
– **A beginner-specific class or intro series** rather than dropping straight into a mixed-level group
– **Certified instructors with classical training** if you want the method taught as designed
– **A studio that asks about your goals and any injuries** before your first session

## Is Pilates good for injury recovery?

Pilates was originally designed as rehabilitation work. Joseph Pilates developed much of the apparatus while working with injured soldiers and dancers, which is why so many physical therapists incorporate Pilates exercises into recovery programs today.

The reasons it works for rehabilitation:

– **Low-impact.** Springs provide resistance without joint loading.
– **Adjustable.** Spring tension can be increased or decreased to match the body’s current capacity.
– **Whole-body.** The system trains the body as an integrated unit rather than isolating weak areas.
– **Precise.** Classical cueing builds awareness of how each part of the body is moving, which is essential when working around an injury.

At Endurance Pilates and Yoga, rehabilitation work has been a specialty of the studio since it opened in 2010 — and remains one of the main reasons clients are referred by physical therapists, chiropractors, and doctors in the Boston area.

## How do I choose a Pilates studio in Boston?

Choose a Pilates studio in Boston based on five factors: instructor training, equipment, class size, neighborhood convenience, and what kind of practice you want to build.

A practical checklist:

1. **Look at the instructors’ training lineage.** Comprehensive classical certifications take 600+ hours. Weekend reformer certifications take a weekend. Both call themselves “certified.”
2. **Ask what equipment they use.** Gratz indicates a classical studio. Other brands aren’t bad — they’re just different.
3. **Check class size.** Boutique studios typically cap classes at 4–8 students. Larger franchise classes can hold 12+.
4. **Visit the studio before you commit to a package.** A good studio will offer an intro session or first-class trial.
5. **Match the studio to your goal.** Rehabilitation, fitness, performance, and longevity practices all use Pilates differently.

If you’re in the South End or the surrounding Boston neighborhoods, Endurance Pilates and Yoga is at 1636 Washington Street, with small classes, authentic Gratz equipment, and instructors with classical lineage going back to Joseph Pilates.

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## Frequently asked questions

**Is classical Pilates harder than contemporary Pilates?**
Not harder — different. Classical Pilates has a defined progression, so beginner exercises stay accessible and advanced exercises stay challenging. What feels demanding is the precision: classical work asks for very specific alignment and control rather than high repetitions.

**Do I need to be flexible to start Pilates?**
No. Flexibility is something Pilates builds; it isn’t a prerequisite. New students who feel stiff often progress fastest because they notice changes quickly.

**How many times a week should I do Pilates?**
Joseph Pilates recommended three sessions per week. Most students see meaningful changes in posture, strength, and body awareness within four to six weeks of consistent practice.

**What should I wear to a Pilates class?**
Form-fitting athletic clothing without zippers or buckles (which can scratch the equipment), and grip socks. Most classical studios sell grip socks if you don’t own a pair.

**Can I do Pilates if I’ve never exercised before?**
Yes. Pilates is one of the most beginner-friendly methods available because the apparatus supports the body and instructors modify every exercise to the student in front of them.

**Is Reformer Pilates better than mat Pilates?**
Neither is better — they’re complementary. The Reformer’s springs assist and challenge the body in ways the mat can’t, and the mat trains the body to do classical work without external support. A complete classical practice includes both.

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*Endurance Pilates and Yoga is a boutique classical Pilates and yoga studio located at 1636 Washington Street in Boston’s South End. Founded in 2010 by master instructor Julie Erickson, the studio specializes in classical Pilates, rehabilitation work, and small-group instruction on authentic Gratz equipment. To book a class or an intro session, visit our schedule page.*