OPTIONS PILATES STUDIO

Getting Started with Pilates: A Beginner's Guide

Curious about Pilates?

Whether you're new to exercise or looking for a new way to stay active, Pilates offers a gentle yet effective way to enhance your fitness journey. At Options Pilates, we welcome everyone with open arms, ensuring a friendly environment that's perfect for beginners.

I’m new to Pilates, how do I get started?

If you’re not used to moving, don’t worry! Pilates is a great way to start moving your body. Options Pilates is a non-intimidating and welcoming environment to help you get started with Pilates.

Depending on your level of body awareness, conditioning and previous experience, many are tempted to dive into group classes, we highly recommend beginning with one or two private sessions. Pilates emphasizes precision and posture, making it crucial to grasp the fundamentals properly.

Pilates is a form of exercise with very controlled movements, so it is very important for you to perform the movements in the correct posture.

Private sessions provide an invaluable opportunity to understand Pilates' core principles, including proper pelvic alignment, starting positions, and muscle engagement. These sessions are tailored to address and correct any imbalances or movement patterns that could affect your posture or lead to discomfort.

Why Consider a Private Session?

In a one-on-one setting, your instructor can offer personalized guidance and adjustments, paying attention to your every move, ensuring your movements are performed correctly and effectively. They will use tactile cueing to make sure you are using the correct muscles to mobilize and stabilize your movements. They will give you helpful cues and advise you on specific adjustments that will make your practice even more effective. This level of attention helps in identifying the right muscles to engage during each exercise, enhancing your overall Pilates experience.

Interested in trying Pilates?

Join us for a trial session! This is a great chance to assess your level and find the ideal package to start your Pilates journey.

Pilates Information Session

For those curious about Pilates but not ready to commit to a trial, join our General Pilates Information Session. This 1-hour session is designed to introduce you to the world of Pilates, covering its benefits, suitability, and a brief workout for first-timers. A Q&A segment with certified instructors will follow, along with a special package offer for attendees.

• Fee: $10 (deductible from package purchase)
• Capacity: Limited to 8 participants
• Registration: WhatsApp : +65 9739 7085
• Please include: Your name, preferred session date, any injuries
• Screenshot of the $10 payment to PayNow: 201512239WUEN

This session is your opportunity to explore Pilates and determine if it's the right fit for you, with the option to purchase a discounted package on the day of the session.

Group Classes

I’m new to Pilates but I want to try group classes.

We advise beginners to gain a foundational knowledge of Pilates before joining group classes. Unlike typical cardio classes, Pilates requires an understanding of specific muscle engagements and controlled movements, which are crucial for effective practice.

In many cardio-based group exercise classes, if you’re not sure what you’re doing, you can usually get along ok either by trying to copy the instructor or other more advanced students, or by simply trying to move in time with the beat of the music. This not the case with Pilates at all! With a group Pilates class it’s important for you to have a basic knowledge of how to engage different muscles (including the pelvic floor) and how to move in a controlled manner, to name only a couple of things.

At Options, we offer all our new clients an introductory package of 5 private sessions. This means you can get a good grasp of the basics in your private sessions and then be in an excellent place ready to try the group classes. Some clients then decide to go back to the private classes for a much more tailored service, but having tried both you will be able to make a much more informed decision. Of course we’re here to help and advise you at any time.

How often should I do Pilates?

How often you practice Pilates is up to you. It will depend on the frequency of your other activities, how much you exert yourself doing those activities and how much rest you get. If you go to the gym regularly (3-4 times a week) and your Pilates supplements your fitness routine, you might find that one class a week is enough.

Many of our clients who don't do any other form of exercise would typically come to the studio 2-3 times each week.

How often you practice also Pilates comes down to your level of commitment. If you suffer from neck or back pain, for example, or you want to see specific results in a particular time frame, then we would suggest committing to 2 or 3 Pilates classes per week for at least 2-3 months.

The answer to this question will be different for each individual, but we are here to make suggestions based on your own very specific needs and personal requirements.

What should I wear?

We recommend comfortable, form-fitting clothes so that your instructor can clearly see your posture and body alignment. Shorts are ideal as they allow the instructor to easily check your knee placement, but leggings are fine too.

We ask all clients to wear socks for hygiene purposes. Socks with grips or socks with separate toes are advised to allow proper movement of the toes for balance and grip. Regular socks are acceptable, but make it harder to separate the toes for optimal balance, body awareness and stretching of the feet muscles.

What is the difference between mat & reformer Pilates?

The reformer uses resistance and coordination, whereas Pilates on a mat will use only your own core strength. Mat exercises consist of movements that primarily roll, twist and curl to target your torso, from your hips to your shoulders.

While mat Pilates may not look as fun or challenging as Pilates on a reformer, since you have to use so much core strength, it is actually very effective for improving strength, posture, agility and flexibility.

The reformer offers all the core-building benefits you get on the mat and more.

The force from the pulley and spring system adds resistance and challenges your stability, as well as allowing for a broader range of motion and variety of movements.

Where are we located?

We now have 4 locations in Singapore – just along Orchard Road at Wheelock Place (adjacent to Liat Towers, opposite open air carpark), in American Club (members only), The Rise @ Oxley (Private 1-on-1 sessions), Bukit Timah Sime Darby Building, King Albert Park @ KAP Mall, and The Hillford Condominium.

Is there parking?

At Wheelock Place, there is plenty of parking space in the building ($3 for 1st hr, $1.50 for the next subsequent 30 min) and open parking opposite Liat Towers ($1.50/30min) and in the car park at Far East Shopping Centre ($3/hr). At The Rise@Oxley, there is parking available at Basement 1 ($2.50 for 1st hr, $1.20 for the next subsequent 30 min). At the Sime Darby Centre, there is shared parking. The parking charge is $1.50 per hour. At KAP Mall, there is parking available at Basement ($1.60 per hour from 7:00am - 7:00am next day). At The Hillford, there are several parking space nearby. 

Other Transport

Studio Etiquette