The Pilates Method Explained: Moving Smarter, Not Harder
Franchise Pilates vs. The Pilates Method: Understanding the Difference
Discover why true Pilates goes beyond fitness — and how the full studio method transforms the way you move. Flow Pilates & Fitness studio re-opening in 2026.
At Flow Pilates & Fitness, I’m passionate about helping people experience Pilates as it was originally intended — as a full, mindful movement system that transforms how you move and feel every day.
With my new studio opening in 2026, I wanted to share a little about the difference between the popular franchise-style Pilates classes and the more traditional approach taught by a comprehensively trained teacher — because while both have value, they’re not quite the same thing.
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The Method vs. the Workout
A true Pilates studio includes much more than the Reformer. The Cadillac, Wunda Chair, High/Electric Chair, Ladder Barrel, Baby/Arm Chair, Ped-o-pul and Spine Corrector, and small apparatus all work together as a system, helping the body find balance, strength, and alignment. Each piece of equipment supports and challenges the body in unique ways, allowing every person to progress safely and effectively.
In contrast, many modern franchise studios focus on the Reformer alone. Their classes can be upbeat, fast-paced, and fitness-driven — great for energy and tone, but often missing the precision and control that make Pilates so transformative.
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Training and Teaching: Depth vs. Choreography
Comprehensively trained Pilates teachers complete hundreds of hours of study across all apparatus, anatomy, movement principles, and hands-on teaching. This depth of knowledge allows us to design programs that suit each client’s unique needs — whether you’re new to movement, managing an injury, or looking to improve athletic performance.
In many franchise environments, instructors complete shorter, brand-specific courses that focus mainly on one or two apparatus’ and a set format. Those classes can be fun and motivating, often incorporating some additional athletic exercises also, but they’re not designed to be tailored to the individual.
In my own teaching, no two sessions are ever the same — because no two bodies move the same way.
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The Value of a Personal Studio
One of the greatest joys of running a small, private studio is the individual attention I can give. Whether in a private session or a small group, I can see how each client moves, make adjustments, and help them understand the why behind their movement patterns.
That kind of connection just isn’t possible in large classes with a dozen reformers in a row. Those environments are wonderful for general fitness, but Pilates, in its truest form, thrives in a setting where precision, patience, and personal guidance come first.
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The Modern Shift: Fitness vs. Function
The rise of “Reformer Pilates” franchises has helped more people discover this amazing form of movement — and that’s something to celebrate. Many people start with franchise classes, enjoy the feeling, and then want to explore the method more deeply.
That’s where traditional Pilates shines. It’s not about intensity or repetition — it’s about efficiency and control. Through mindful practice, you build strength, awareness, and balance that carry into everything you do.
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Returning to the True Intent of Pilates
At Flow Pilates & Fitness, my focus is on maintaining the integrity of the Pilates Method — teaching with care, precision, and an understanding of the full studio system Joseph Pilates created.
Pilates was never meant to be just a workout. It’s a method designed to restore natural movement, improve posture, and bring harmony between body and mind. When taught comprehensively, it becomes more than exercise — it becomes a way of living and moving well.
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Final Thought
There’s space for both types of Pilates — the franchise-style classes that bring the method to more people, and the traditional studios that preserve its depth and intention. But if you’re ready to move beyond “just a class” and truly understand your body, a comprehensively taught Pilates practice offers something far more meaningful.
Classes in my new studio will begin in 2026, and I can’t wait to welcome new clients into the space.
If you’d like to stay up to date and be the first to know when bookings open, email me at studio@flowpilates.net.au to join the mailing list.
At the end of the day, Pilates isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing better. And that’s where the true transformation begins.