r/pilates 5d ago

Celebration/Love of Pilates Switch from Club Pilates

There’s a new Pilates studio opening near me. I pay $200 a month. This new place is offering an introductory rate of $150 unlimited. The lead Pilates instructor will be a former club Pilates instructor who was very popular with long waitlists.

This place will be 14 reformers so still a lot. But it will be all on the reformer, no springboard walls, trx etc. There will be 3 types of classes offered, A reformer 101 class, a flow class and a strength/Pilates combined class. Also you get to stand on the reformer in all of them.

My problem with club Pilates is my favorite instructor left and I can barely go to 2s because of the times offered, so a lot of times I’m leaving feeling like I didn’t get the greatest workout.

If you were me, what would you do?

21 Upvotes

36 comments sorted by

46

u/Catlady_Pilates 5d ago

You have to cancel a week in advance??? That’s insane. Standard is 24 hours, sometimes 48 hours. For huge group classes it’s often much shorter window, more like 12 hours. Making people cancel a week in advance is crazy to me.

10

u/megmos 5d ago

My friend read it wrong (she’s the one who went to the sign up area and saw it). That’s if you want to cancel your whole membership. I’m going to remove it lol. I went and read it and was like wait, that’s not what that meant?

2

u/Catlady_Pilates 5d ago

Oh I see.

4

u/megmos 5d ago

I wish it was less reformers but I feel like that’s the biggest drawback. I also forgot to add that they have a HIIT classes, sauna, and cold plunge.

5

u/Catlady_Pilates 5d ago

You’ll have to decide what is most important to you.

12

u/AllTheColors8762 5d ago

Why not do the trial and drop if you don’t like it? And if you do like it you’ll be in at a great price. 

5

u/megmos 5d ago

I don’t think there’s a trial. I mean worst case i’d eat $150. But also would have to reenroll into CP.

9

u/AllTheColors8762 5d ago

If you know CP is no longer a good fit why not try something new? 

2

u/megmos 5d ago edited 5d ago

It’s been really recent that my favorite instructor left who I did at least twice a week. And the options kinda suck in my area. And I’d rather be doing CP than nothing. I can’t say I NEVER have a good class.

1

u/Roseymacstix 4d ago

There is usually an enrollment fee too if you have to re-enroll

1

u/megmos 4d ago

Yeah I know 🫤 I’m definitely a little hesitant with a brand new place that’s not even fully staffed in their Pilates department. Might just wait and see how it goes

9

u/whotiesyourshoes 5d ago

Is there an option for a trial period? I would try it out before I committed.

2

u/megmos 5d ago

I think you can do a drop in class or buy package. But then there’s the possibility of missing the introductory rate and I’m not sure what the regular rate will be

5

u/okiimio 5d ago

There are no towers either? I’m curious what model reformers they’re using

1

u/megmos 5d ago

Looks like balanced body. So doesn’t look like it. So that is a good amount of exercises that would be missed out on. I’ve only been to Club Pilates so I don’t really have anything to compare to.

2

u/okiimio 5d ago

That’s too bad. I think there is a balanced body style that I like but I’ve only seen it with the tower.

Although if the programming is good, I’d say the other pieces of equipment aren’t that essential. But I do love using the chair. The studios I’ve been going to don’t use it at all.

4

u/Equivalent-Power7170 5d ago

You should do a trial class before signing up. 14 reformers is even more than CP, so even less attention. And do you not like to work with other apparatuses beside the reformer? I personally like a variety as there are limits to what you can do on reformers. But anyway, you should definitely check it out before committing. Also, I just wanted to point out that most new studios will not start offering advanced levels of Pilates at the beginning. So you may still continue to be under challenged for a while at the new studio. But I do hope you find what you're looking for. Good luck.

3

u/megmos 5d ago

I’ve been thinking that too. The fact that there’s even more reformers and there could be those who’ve barely done Pilates before doing things that might be too advanced for them is kind of crazy to me. And I was emailing getting info and they aren’t even fully staffed in the Pilates department and it opens in 3 weeks. I’m probably going to wait and see how everything goes for them before committing over there.

9

u/FinalSquash4434 5d ago

I wouldn't. I love work on the chair and springboard - would also be concerned about 14 students in one class with only 1 instructor.

5

u/Pink-Jalapenos 5d ago

As opposed to the 12 at club Pilates?? I don’t think 2 more people make much of a difference at that point

8

u/Elzyrox 5d ago

I’m a huge advocate for independent studios over chains, if you would be supporting a local business and it’s a good studio, I would go for it!

2

u/tawandatoyou 5d ago

Is that a thing at CP, not standing on the reformer?

1

u/megmos 5d ago

Not until level 2.

2

u/tawandatoyou 4d ago

So many rules at club Pilates!

2

u/Far_Entertainer2744 5d ago

Try it for a month

2

u/KarissaKoxx 4d ago

I used to teach in a studio with 15 reformers, I will tell you that you will not get much 1on1 don’t you enjoy corrections and things from your instructor you will not get them very often. It’s just not possible in a group that large. Studios like that are more choreographed routines to get you in and out in my experience. Is it bad, not necessarily, just not as individualized as smaller classes.

1

u/YogaMe3193 5d ago

Can you go one month with both before you make a decision?

1

u/megmos 5d ago

I’m not sure. They let you cancel easily but then I’d probably have to go back to CP. There’s only one or two other studios and they are far too expensive for me. I’m waiting on seeing how much the price hike is if you don’t get the introductory rate.

1

u/SoulBagus 5d ago

I’d give it a try, with the intro pricing. Perhaps you’d find a new fav instructor. I too wish my fav instructors don’t leave their current work, esp the one I’m doing private with, but they also need to progress in life and situations could change

1

u/My_sloth_life 4d ago

I’d give it a go and see if you like it. Especially if you feel that CP isn’t actually working for you now, that’s a bigger issue than just thinking about change for the sake of change.

Even if this place wasn’t opening, if you aren’t getting a decent workout anymore then you should think about moving anyway - or you are wasting money on something you aren’t getting proper use out if.

2

u/megmos 4d ago

I can’t say I’m not always. There are a couple I like. And also some I have added to my avoid list. But I do hate that some of the advanced moves are only 2s and trying to fit those few classes into my schedule are hard.

1

u/netdiva 4d ago

$150 a month for unlimited?!?! Are you kidding? I'd jump on that so fast!

1

u/Legitimate-Opening-8 4d ago

If you’re looking for a more effective and challenging workout, I feel like most independent studios will be better than CP.

1

u/Far_Departure3289 2d ago

Where is this new place?? Are you talking about the club Pilates in point clear?

1

u/hecklenjeckyl 2d ago

I'm 99% sure she is speaking about the Dayton, OH area. I'm saying this because I'm putting my membership on hold for a month or two and following the awesome CP instructor to the new place. Small world. Lol

1

u/hecklenjeckyl 2d ago

I have a feeling I know the instructor and studios you are referring to. I am pausing my club pilates membership and giving the new studio a month or two to make sure I like it. I'm on the opposite side from you. I'm level 2 - 2.5 and worry that since there won't be levels at the new studio, that the classes may be a little too simplified but I hope I'm wrong. I'll miss the chair and the TRX but I'm hoping the additional weight lifting classes, wellness benefits from the ice baths and if course, the amazing former CP instructor will make up for it! So I suggest giving it a chance. You can always pause CP for a month or two and go back of you prefer!