What is Classical Pilates?
Classical Pilates is one of the original series of exercises in Pilates. The 34 exercises are done in the exact order that Joseph Pilates developed in the 1920s. It’s a no equipment, 30-minute workout that you can do anywhere. As Joseph Pilates said himself:
“In 10 sessions you'll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you'll see the difference, and in 30 sessions you'll have a whole new body”

The goal of Joseph Pilates’ classical Pilates workout was based around his 3 principles: breath, full body commitment, and full body health. These principles were then expanded upon to become less abstract, becoming the Pilates Principles:

Beyond these principles for good form, Pilates is well-known for its numerous benefits for the body. Both as a practice of recovery and overall fitness. Practicing Pilates benefits you by:

As a result, Pilates is a great way to exercise the body. It’s not a practice that requires high intensity workouts to see benefits, though you certainly can challenge yourself if you want to. No matter what, you’ll get results from any Pilates mat work. Classical Pilates sets itself apart by being particularly appealing for a few reasons.
Why Choose Classical Pilates Over Other Options?

What sets classical Pilates apart from more modern Pilates mat classes is the specific order of the exercises. These 34 exercises are intentionally done in a precise order.
The exercises start by warming up the body before moving into more challenging exercises, and then cooling it down as the series wraps up. At the same time, the sequence makes use of gravity by working with and against the force for even more benefits. Working with gravity helps the body complete movements, while working against it adds challenge to exercises.
Many of the exercises in the sequence use the whole body, such as the Boomerang.

This is important because full body exercises are beneficial. They help:
Thanks to this, classical Pilates is particularly unique in the practice. Rather than targeting a specific part of the body, classical Pilates works the whole body. This holistic approach keeps the body’s development balanced throughout the fitness journey.
Exercises Featured In Classical Pilates
While every exercise in classical Pilates is important, some are real standouts, such as:







Want To Get Started With Classical Pilates?

If classical Pilates has caught your eye, Fitstreams has the perfect class for you. The Classical Mat class takes participants through Joseph Pilates’ traditional series from start to finish.
With a 14 day FREE trial there’s no risk of giving traditional Pilates a shot. There’s no need to commute to a gym for fitness; the Classical Mat class doesn’t use equipment and is a lightning fast 30 minutes. You’ll get your fitness needs met without putting a hold on the rest of the day.

Classical Pilates is the traditional sequence originating from Joseph Pilates himself. The 34 exercises aim to work the body using the many full body exercises. This differs from more modern Pilates mat classes that target specific areas of the body one at a time. If classical Pilates interests you, the Fitstreams Classical Mat class is a great way to get started using the 14 day free trial.