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Pilates for Beginners
Pilates Exercises
Online Pilates Classes
Pilates Reformer Tips and Workouts

Pilates is a low-impact exercise developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. The Pilates method centers on stretching, strengthening, breath work, and properly aligning the body through slow and controlled movements.

Benefits of Pilates include improved flexibility, better core strength, and increased muscle tone—which explains why Pilates is effective for people of all ages. Pilates classes may include special equipment (called a Pilates apparatus) such as a Pilates Reformer or chairs. Others may use body weight exercises and resistance bands for an effective at-home Pilates workout.

If you want to improve core strength while making your body feel longer and stronger, Pilates is it.

Most Popular

Just need to move? This 20-minute glute and core workout is like a Megaformer class at home
March 17, 2020
Just need to move? This 20-minute glute and core workout is like a Megaformer class at home
It only takes one sweat sesh on the Megaformer to completely fall in love. The…
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Online workouts you can do at home to ease social distancing
March 16, 2020
Online workouts you can do at home to ease social distancing
Gyms are now closed, but it's still so important to keep taking care of yourself…
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Literally glide through your next intense workout with these slider disc exercises
March 12, 2020
Literally glide through your next intense workout with these slider disc exercises
Sliders are one of my favorite toys to use at the gym. Adding a little…
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Your core workouts have never burned as much as this 15-minute Pilates sesh
March 05, 2020
Your core workouts have never burned as much as this 15-minute Pilates sesh
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A *lot* of people are ditching bootcamps for Pilates—and there's a science to why
March 04, 2020
A *lot* of people are ditching bootcamps for Pilates—and there's a science to why
In 2020, Pilates will celebrate its 94th birthday. It's the OG boutique fitness class, and…
By Dominique Michelle Astorino
Fatigue your entire upper body in just 6-minutes with this Pilates arm workout
February 24, 2020
Fatigue your entire upper body in just 6-minutes with this Pilates arm workout
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There are 12 million Pilates abs workouts on YouTube, but this is the only one you need
February 10, 2020
There are 12 million Pilates abs workouts on YouTube, but this is the only one you need
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Finish every workout with this simple move to avoid lower back pain
February 05, 2020
Finish every workout with this simple move to avoid lower back pain
Every exercise you do helps to strengthen those beautiful muscles of yours. The only issue…
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Prepare to be sore: This 7-move Pilates-inspired workout will light up your full body
February 03, 2020
Prepare to be sore: This 7-move Pilates-inspired workout will light up your full body
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5 foot posture exercises that feel a lot like a foot massage
February 02, 2020
5 foot posture exercises that feel a lot like a foot massage
There are a lot of variables that go into having good posture. Keeping your shoulders back,…
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Right now is the best time to sign up for ClassPass if you like spending $0 for pricey workouts
December 24, 2019
Right now is the best time to sign up for ClassPass if you like spending $0 for pricey workouts
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The 5 basic Pilates moves that *everyone* should incorporate in their workouts for better mobility
December 05, 2019
The 5 basic Pilates moves that *everyone* should incorporate in their workouts for better mobility
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SLT is debuting a megaformer-treadmill class that gives you planks with a side of sprinting
December 04, 2019
SLT is debuting a megaformer-treadmill class that gives you planks with a side of sprinting
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The 'Pilates burpee' may go down in history as the hardest core exercise ever
November 22, 2019
The 'Pilates burpee' may go down in history as the hardest core exercise ever
If I could poll the entire world about the most challenging workouts, I bet at…
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10 Resistance Band Exercises for Legs That Strengthen and Stretch in No Time
October 28, 2019
10 Resistance Band Exercises for Legs That Strengthen and Stretch in No Time
Resistance bands certainly aren't as intimidating as heavy weights at the gym, yet they bring…
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I Found a Yoga Mat That Turns Into a Full Gym in Seconds
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4 moves to loosen up your lower half if you're dealing with restless legs
October 21, 2019
4 moves to loosen up your lower half if you're dealing with restless legs
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How To Strengthen Your Lower Back and Ensure Good Posture for Life
October 19, 2019
How To Strengthen Your Lower Back and Ensure Good Posture for Life
When it comes to strengthening and toning, some parts of the body get all the…
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This core-conditioning workout will give you better posture in 3 easy moves
September 27, 2019
This core-conditioning workout will give you better posture in 3 easy moves
"Strengthening your core" is one of those things that any trainer, no matter who they…
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This Pilates ring workout targets your obliques and booty
September 23, 2019
This Pilates ring workout targets your obliques and booty
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The 9-minute, at-home Pilates workout that targets every muscle of your core
September 16, 2019
The 9-minute, at-home Pilates workout that targets every muscle of your core
Welcome to Trainer of the Month Club, our brand-new fitness series, where we tap the coolest,…
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You don't even need to stand up to do this full-body Pilates workout
September 09, 2019
You don't even need to stand up to do this full-body Pilates workout
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Solidcore is doing for the megaformer what Orangtheory did for HIIT—taking it everywhere
September 03, 2019
Solidcore is doing for the megaformer what Orangtheory did for HIIT—taking it everywhere
"Never give up." Those three words are painted on the floor at Solidcore, a megaformer studio…
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The Slow-and-Steady Glutes Workout That Fire Up Your Butt Muscles
September 02, 2019
The Slow-and-Steady Glutes Workout That Fire Up Your Butt Muscles
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10 Pilates exercises that will help you stand taller and get stronger
August 22, 2019
10 Pilates exercises that will help you stand taller and get stronger
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A gastroenterologist says core work is the best exercise for the 'promotion of poopage'
August 18, 2019
A gastroenterologist says core work is the best exercise for the 'promotion of poopage'
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This 8-minute Pilates ring workout will leave your abs sore for days
August 16, 2019
This 8-minute Pilates ring workout will leave your abs sore for days
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6 teeny, tiny barre movements that add up to a full-on workout
July 10, 2019
6 teeny, tiny barre movements that add up to a full-on workout
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All you need for better posture is a resistance band and 5 free minutes
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All you need for better posture is a resistance band and 5 free minutes
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9 hip-strengthening exercises that make moving through life *way* easier
June 26, 2019
9 hip-strengthening exercises that make moving through life *way* easier
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Remix a classic crunch to make it the hardest move in your abs playbook
June 21, 2019
Remix a classic crunch to make it the hardest move in your abs playbook
Whenever I hit the gym, I try my best to focus on my own workout.…
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Changing the position of your feet can make a *huge* impact on your workout
June 13, 2019
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There are 188,000 oblique workout videos on YouTube—these 8 are the absolute best
June 13, 2019
There are 188,000 oblique workout videos on YouTube—these 8 are the absolute best
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You can now do Jessica Biel's go-to workout in your living room
June 12, 2019
You can now do Jessica Biel's go-to workout in your living room
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This 6-move butt workout will give you a perkier peach in 5 minutes flat
June 05, 2019
This 6-move butt workout will give you a perkier peach in 5 minutes flat
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This Pilates floor workout is so effective, it rivals an intense Megaformer class
June 05, 2019
This Pilates floor workout is so effective, it rivals an intense Megaformer class
Over the past few months, I have fallen completely in love with Megaformer Pilates. I…
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The easiest way to wreck your crunch form is also the most common modification
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The easiest way to wreck your crunch form is also the most common modification
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Can't do a full push-up? This *magic* (no, really) hack will help
May 31, 2019
Can't do a full push-up? This *magic* (no, really) hack will help
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It’s really easy to overwork the core, which is just as dicey as doing zero ab work
May 21, 2019
It’s really easy to overwork the core, which is just as dicey as doing zero ab work
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Jessica Biel breaks a sweat with these wild single-leg skater squats—and now so do I
May 21, 2019
Jessica Biel breaks a sweat with these wild single-leg skater squats—and now so do I
If you're looking for fitness inspiration, there's one woman who always comes through. Jessica Biel…
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Working out high may be fun, but can it actually make you a better athlete?
May 20, 2019
Working out high may be fun, but can it actually make you a better athlete?
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You're probably making these common mistakes doing bicycle crunches, and your neck and back are paying for it
May 14, 2019
You're probably making these common mistakes doing bicycle crunches, and your neck and back are paying for it
No matter what type of workout I'm doing, there's a 60 percent chance that I'll…
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Trainers agree: Vanessa Hudgens' workout equation is something everyone can learn from
May 14, 2019
Trainers agree: Vanessa Hudgens' workout equation is something everyone can learn from
Vanessa Hudgens is really, really strong. I know this, because when I worked out next…
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What most people get wrong about the "neutral spine" position
May 13, 2019
What most people get wrong about the "neutral spine" position
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The one workout a world-renowned ballerina swears by for strength training and recovery
March 09, 2019
The one workout a world-renowned ballerina swears by for strength training and recovery
Don't let the delicate tutus and graceful movements fool you: Ballet is hard work. After all,…
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The oyster exercise is the no-equipment butt-sculpting move you need to add to your routine
March 01, 2019
The oyster exercise is the no-equipment butt-sculpting move you need to add to your routine
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I work out at a movement salon where I get my Pilates with a side of soup
February 22, 2019
I work out at a movement salon where I get my Pilates with a side of soup
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Prepare yourself for Heather Anderson's pilates ring exercises that only looks easy
February 10, 2019
Prepare yourself for Heather Anderson's pilates ring exercises that only looks easy
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Selena Gomez introduced me to hot Pilates and my winter is already better
January 02, 2019
Selena Gomez introduced me to hot Pilates and my winter is already better
Move over, Bikram: There's a hot new workout trend (yes, I went there) that's about to…
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How to avoid over-stretching in yoga and Pilates—because yes, it happens
November 15, 2018
How to avoid over-stretching in yoga and Pilates—because yes, it happens
As far as workouts are concerned, yoga and Pilates are typically thought of as restorative,…
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We’ve found the one crunch that'll never leave you bored
October 18, 2018
We’ve found the one crunch that'll never leave you bored
When it comes to core work, crunches tend to unleash a wave of boredom the quickest.…
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As the love child of Pilates and yoga, PiYo offers the best of both toning workouts' worlds
October 09, 2018
As the love child of Pilates and yoga, PiYo offers the best of both toning workouts' worlds
The Pilates versus yoga battle has been hard-fought and long (like, almost 100 years long).…
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5 Megaformer moves you can do anywhere (no machine necessary)
July 30, 2018
5 Megaformer moves you can do anywhere (no machine necessary)
The Megaformer's moment in the fitness spotlight shows no signs of fading—it certainly doesn't hurt that…
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5 equipment-free Pilates moves that Hollywood A-listers swear by
July 26, 2018
5 equipment-free Pilates moves that Hollywood A-listers swear by
When a woman's got the kind of life that involves 4 a.m. call times and late…
By Erin Magner
3 safe-for-pregnancy Pilates moves Kate Hudson swears by
June 21, 2018
3 safe-for-pregnancy Pilates moves Kate Hudson swears by
Anyone who follows Kate Hudson on Instagram knows that the Fabletics front woman is a Pilates…
By Kells McPhillips
These *intense* Pilates moves are a hard-core challenge for your abs
April 17, 2018
These *intense* Pilates moves are a hard-core challenge for your abs
If you've spent any time in a Pilates mat class, you know the workout's signature…
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3 glutes-toning Pilates moves Selena Gomez loves—and how to do them
March 21, 2018
3 glutes-toning Pilates moves Selena Gomez loves—and how to do them
When Selena Gomez works out (likely decked out in looks from her newest Puma collab),…
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When you "put people back together" for a living—but you're falling apart
February 12, 2018
When you "put people back together" for a living—but you're falling apart
Karen Lord, a renowned Pilates trainer and prominent wellness-world figure, is "in the business of…
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Which is better for *you*—Pilates or yoga?
January 31, 2018
Which is better for *you*—Pilates or yoga?
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This is the hardcore Pilates move Vanessa Hudgens uses to start her week off strong
January 22, 2018
This is the hardcore Pilates move Vanessa Hudgens uses to start her week off strong
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Mentioning this workout in your dating profile could land you *so many* more love connections
January 18, 2018
Mentioning this workout in your dating profile could land you *so many* more love connections
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The surprising place Kate Hudson wears weights to strengthen her core
January 18, 2018
The surprising place Kate Hudson wears weights to strengthen her core
If you follow Kate Hudson on Instagram, you've probably noticed that the #girlboss loves Pilates.…
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Kate Hudson grunts in Pilates workouts—and science says you should too
January 08, 2018
Kate Hudson grunts in Pilates workouts—and science says you should too
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The plank-heavy Pilates workout that Ashley Olsen does on the reg
January 04, 2018
The plank-heavy Pilates workout that Ashley Olsen does on the reg
If you've been wondering where Ashley Olsen has been hiding these days, there's no need…
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Brooke Shields credits these workout moves for changing and restoring her body
December 29, 2017
Brooke Shields credits these workout moves for changing and restoring her body
Brooke Shields is literal proof that, like a fine natural wine, women just get better…
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Would you take a "Pilates with Puppies" class?
December 20, 2017
Would you take a "Pilates with Puppies" class?
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The ab-sculpting, leg-strengthening (equipment-free!) Pilates move Kate Hudson swears by
December 14, 2017
The ab-sculpting, leg-strengthening (equipment-free!) Pilates move Kate Hudson swears by
Kate Hudson's secret behind her abs really isn't a secret at all: The Fabletics co-founder has…
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Private equity firm bets big on boutique fitness
December 12, 2017
Private equity firm bets big on boutique fitness
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How this two-time cancer survivor helps others channel their inner strength
November 09, 2017
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How this fitness leader channeled childhood hardship into mega positivity
November 09, 2017
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Why Lo Bosworth stopped doing high-intensity cardio
October 18, 2017
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This 10-minute, ballet-inspired workout will *seriously* tone your lower body
October 17, 2017
This 10-minute, ballet-inspired workout will *seriously* tone your lower body
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