What Does Classical Pilates Actually Mean?
I’m trained in both classical and contemporary Pilates. This isn’t about saying one is better than the other—it’s about clarity. I keep seeing classes described as classical when what’s being taught isn’t classical at all.
Classical Pilates isn’t just a label. It refers to the original method created by Joseph Pilates—a complete, structured system with a clear order and purpose behind every movement.
If a teacher calls their class classical, that should mean they’ve been trained by a classical teacher—ideally someone who has trained in a lineage that traces back directly to one of the Pilates Elders. These are the first-generation teachers who studied directly under Joseph Pilates, including Romana Kryzanowska, Jay Grimes, Kathy Grant, Lolita San Miguel, Carola Trier, and others.
Attending a workshop or doing a few online classes does not make a teacher classical. This method is passed down with intention, precision, and depth. It’s a long-term study, not a style choice.
In a classical mat class, you're working with the original 34 exercises (sometimes slightly more, depending on your lineage), beginning with The Hundred and ending with Push-Up. You can see that full order here.
In a classical reformer class, you follow the original sequence—from Footwork to Running and Squats—using traditional setups and spring settings. That’s around 70 exercises, layered progressively based on the student’s ability. You can see the full order I use here.
What I’m seeing more and more is people using “classical” to mean “not fitness Pilates” or “not choreographed,” when in fact the class structure, content, and approach are contemporary. That’s a problem.
This isn’t about gatekeeping. It’s about accuracy and respect for the method. If we care about the integrity of Pilates, we need to be careful with the language we use.
So if you're not sure, ask:
Does your teacher know the original order?
Do they know why the exercises are in that order?
Have they trained in the full system—not just reformer or mat, but all the apparatus Joseph designed to work together?
Words matter. Let’s use them with intention.