From the desk of Karen Wilder, Owner of Wilder Pilates — Lenexa, KS
With so many new people discovering Pilates right now, I want to share a few important tips for anyone considering giving it a try. Starting your Pilates journey the right way makes all the difference in how much you’ll learn, how your body feels, and whether you truly experience the method as it was designed.
1. Find a Studio — Not a Franchise
When you’re searching for a place to practice Pilates, look for an independent studio rather than a franchise or “big box” fitness chain. A true Pilates studio will have instructors who are comprehensively trained — meaning they’ve studied all of the Pilates apparatus (not just the reformer) and understand how each piece works together as part of the full system that Joseph Pilates created.
You should be able to contact the studio directly and speak with an instructor or the owner to ask questions. That initial conversation is also a great way to find out if you’re a good fit for the studio — and if their approach aligns with what you’re looking for.
2. Start with Private Sessions
Private sessions are the best investment you can make when beginning Pilates. It’s just you and the instructor, which allows them to tailor the work specifically to your needs, abilities, and goals.
You shouldn’t have to buy a large package to get started, but it’s helpful to know that it usually takes around ten private lessons before you really start to understand the Pilates method and how it works in your body.
If you eventually plan to join a group class, private lessons will help you go in feeling confident — you’ll already know what you’re doing, and that sets you up for success and progress from day one.
3. Choose Small Group Classes
If you decide to move into group work, look for small classes — ideally 4 to 5 people maximum. This ensures you still receive individual attention and that your instructor can keep you safe, focused, and improving each time you come in. Large classes may look appealing, but they often sacrifice the quality and precision that make Pilates so effective.
4. Keep Moving
Once you start your lessons, remember this: movement teaches the body. The best way to learn Pilates is by doing it — not by overthinking it, analyzing every muscle, or trying to copy what you see online. Watching TikTok or Instagram is entertainment — it’s a show, not a lesson. Real learning happens when you move, listen, and let your body experience the work.
5. Be Coachable
One of the most important parts of your Pilates journey is being open to learning. Even if you’ve done Pilates elsewhere, try to let go of what you think you “already know.” Every teacher brings a different perspective, and you might discover a cue or a correction that helps you work more deeply or efficiently.
Trust your instructor, stay curious, and be willing to learn — that’s where the magic happens.
At Wilder Pilates, We Do It Differently
At Wilder Pilates in Lenexa, KS, every client — whether brand new or experienced — begins with private lessons. You start with three introductory privates and can continue with 4-packs of private sessions thereafter.
Many of our clients choose to stay in private sessions long-term because of the individualized attention and results they get. Others transition into our small semi-private group classes once they’re ready.
No matter where you begin, our goal is to help you learn the Classical Pilates method the way it was meant to be taught — safely, effectively, and personally.
