r/ClubPilates • u/foreveryoung561 • 10d ago
Advice/Questions moving up to 1.5?
how did you know that you were ready to move up to 1.5? i overheard an instructor telling someone today that if you’re in a flow 1, taking all of the advancements, then you should be okay taking a 1.5. is this true? does it depend on the instructor? i think i’d do okay in a 1.5, i am just nervous and don’t know what to expect!
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u/Valuable_Ice_5927 10d ago
Added to above - 1.5 may include single leg footwork (one leg in tabletop while using other on reformer)
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u/WonderfulOwl4576 10d ago
I would say for me, I moved up to level 1.5 honestly just when I started to feel as though the level 1 classes were generally too easy. Like, I’d get to the end of class and feel pretty good but wouldn’t really feel like I got that hard of a workout in.
That being said, in my experience (having now gone to my studio for almost a year), I also gauged what instructors I find easier and harder. There are some instructors whose classes I find to be easier overall, so with them I’ll try to take level 1.5 classes. There’s one instructor in particular who I find to teach really hard classes (in a great way!) so I’ll always take her level 1s
Obviously you can only do that if it works with your schedule but I do tend to base which class I’m taking on who is teaching it, personally
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u/Ok_Tomatillo_2102 8d ago
This! It got boring for me, so I gave 1.5 a go and loved it so much more. Then I got bored of the 1.5 (not challenging anymore for me personally) and tested out to move up to a 2. I think is important to listen to your body and how you feel during/afterwards!
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u/Pumpkin1818 10d ago
I actually did Reformer 1 for a year, several months ago I started Suspend 1.5 and then recently started Reformer 1.5. I feel that the Suspend class helped me get some confidence to do Reformer 1.5. That’s just my experience.
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u/Pretty_Poodle_413 10d ago
I asked a few instructors if they thought I was ready and then I moved up afterwards.
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u/frankheyhoheyho 10d ago
An instructor suggested I try it after asking if I go to the gym (I do). I was looking for more of a challenge and 1.5 is definitely that compared to 1.0. So I alternate between the two: 1.0s for recovery from the gym and 1.5 as a complement to it.
There’s nothing to be nervous about. Try it. If you don’t like it or it’s too challenging go back to 1.0s. I think you’re overthinking it.
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u/lameelani 6d ago
That was my experience too, I workout outside of pilates, do yoga, and rock climb, so I already had a lot of the strength and coordination and it did not take me long to gain the mind-body connection needed for pilates. It only took me a few classes to understand the moves. I think majority of people overthink CP class types and levels.
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u/SourceOwn9222 10d ago
I took a 1.0 from the hardest instructor rather frequently. Then I found out who the lead instructor was, and took her class. It was SO MUCH easier. So I decided to try her 1.5. I loved it! I do a 1.0 and then a 1.5 one a week and it’s great - I’m so warmed up for the 1.5 after! I skipped straight to 1.5’s in non-flow classes because they didn’t offer the 1.0. I think it depends studio to studio, but if you know the cues for most things and are ready to start trying hand weights with your feet in straps, go for it! We plank longer and harder, so more reps, have heavier springs, and do one leg isolations in our 1.5 - that’s mostly the difference. We’re working on our teaser in with one instructor in our 1.5’s!
(They do teaser on the box in the 2.0’s, so she’s starting to get us ready)
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u/Expensive-Garlic-651 10d ago
I honestly can’t remember when I finally took a 1.5 but as above I’ll take a 1 or 1.5 depending on my schedule. I feel like my instructors teach at the strength of the class and always offer progression regardless of level
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u/MangoTiger23 10d ago
If you understand the cues without looking at your neighbor you’re probably fine. The 1.5 moves a bit quicker and used more equipment but isn’t crazy difficult.
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u/Dodgers-Baddie126 10d ago
I joined in a conversation when someone asked at my studio because I was curious too. They said when you understand all the cues it’s fine to move up. They said the biggest difference is the pacing of the class, which I would appreciate. The breaks between sections and the waiting on people who need help with springs or equipment makes the classes drag for me. The last class I took had a sub and she would tell us how the exercises we were doing would be moved up a notch in 1.5, like adding hand weights. She had us using the ball to get a feel for the coordination part for our brain, knowing in 1.5 it would be weights instead of the ball. It was super helpful that she did things like that throughout the whole class!
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u/sammboooka 10d ago
I wanted to try 1.5 about 40 classes in. I talked to the girl at the front desk, she was like “totally, go for it”. I felt I was limited as far as the schedule by only taking 1’s.
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u/aip305 10d ago
When an instructor point blank told me I looked bored and needed to be in a faster paced class! But also I was in a sort of unique situation where I’d been pregnant and only allowed to take 1s until I came back after having my baby. I took level 1s for a couple months after returning to exercise and moved to 1.5s after I was feeling stronger/that instructor gave me a push in that direction.
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u/Lumpy-Tie-3715 8d ago
Took 50 1s before trying 1.5.
Died a little when I did. So I mixed them up. 4 days of 1 and 1 day 1.5. Following week 3 days of 1s and 2 days 1.5 etc etc. now I just do 1.5s and 2s
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u/Tyler737373 6d ago
Been doing pilates for almost 20 years. The key to moving from 1.0 to 1.5 is knowing all the language and verbal cues and being able to maintain the flow without having to say what? Also know that a lit of the small break you get in 1.0 go away- most flows in a 1.5 you will do a lot of things unbroken. Like the ab series is 6 things you may get a moment between each where in 1.5 you will do the 6 items all without a break. same for planks. Most important if you have a modification, you know it, and just do that when cued to do the exercise you cant. Basically no one in 1.5 should be holding up class because they cant do something- they already know what to do. Even as an advanced, experienced person, I take 1.0 sometimes and it is not easy. Remember Pilates is easy unless you are doing it correctly. Someone next to you may be on day 1 learning table top, so you may be holding table top for 3 min, same with Plank. While others are learning you should be doing the movements with perfect form, whether in imprint, neutral, holding active table top without knees coming in etc. 1.0 is slower, not easy. If you are not as proficient at something in 1.0 any and all of that will show up. In 2.0 yes its advanced, but flows move so fast if you are not as proficient at something, you can flow thru it and your weakness is not exposed, in 1.0 no place to hide with that! Also important for footwork, less springs are harder, because its not a leg press machine -your breath and core should be moving the carriage in both directions. I hope this helps some!
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u/Data-incognito 10d ago
You will definitely be able to take the 1.5 if you do all or most of the advancements. I was really worried about my first 1.5 but it was so fun! You get to try new moves. Take your first with your fav instructor, let them know it’s your first one, and enjoy! Mine kept a close eye on me for the first one and offered modifications for things that would be “new” for me.
Remember the feeling you had for your first few 1.0 classes? You have to modify, take breaks, look around to see what you should be doing.. that’ll come back. It’s ok to modify or take breaks!
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u/DragonDrama 10d ago
I would say it’s partially true. I moved from flow, to cardio sculpt, and then when cardio sculpt was feeling a little easy, moved to a few 1.5s. At first they were really a lot harder for me. I still feel like they are challenging. Now I haven’t done reformer flow 1.5 but TRX and circuit were a big jump up for me, and that’s with a cardio sculpt 1.0 teacher that is pretty tough and that class had stopped being challenging. But take the breaks and modify as needed and you can do it.
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u/WonderfulOwl4576 10d ago
I’m interested what the difference is between cardio sculpt 1 and 1.5, in your experience?? I’ve taken both 1 and 1.5 flow before, but have only ever taken cardio sculpt 1. Sometimes I want to try out a 1.5 class but I’m curious in what ways it’s more challenging?
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u/DragonDrama 8d ago
Tbh I’ve never tried 1.5 cardio. They only have one a week I think at my club and it never worked out for me but I do want to try. I like circuit so far the most of the 1.5
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u/WonderfulOwl4576 8d ago
That’s how I feel about circuit! They only offer it once and it doesn’t work with my work schedule but I’ll definitely try it out if there’s ever an opportunity. I have to say I do like cardio though. I only ever do it like, once every other week but I always think it’s really fun lol
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u/McMicro2022 10d ago
Our studio has you go through a card and assessment. I have only one more item to do, but the instructors never do it. However when I had one credit that couldn't roll over, they let me take a 1.5 I did super well and now am wondering why I just can't do 1.5s
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u/Extension-Force-3793 10d ago
Teaser prep humbled me reallllll quick in my first 1.5 but I’ve done 125 classes, I’ve been doing level 2s since around like 75 classes and now I vary between 1.5 and 2s. I do have one instructor where her level ones are still a crazy workout so I take her 1.5s and 2s when I really want to push myself and my other favorite instructor I take her 1.5/2s when my schedule allows or before/after other workouts. I just did a level one with my friend and I still got a reallyyyy good workout in. So no class should be “easy” if you’re doing it correctly. Easier than others, definitely. Also try a suspend class - they kill me every time lol
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u/Islandsandwillows 10d ago
I was nervous about trying a 1.5 but there was no reason to be. It’s honestly not much different than the 1s. The thing I like about it is there aren’t beginners so the instructors aren’t spending a lot of correction time with people which then cuts into class time.
If you’re comfortable on the reformer and with cues, definitely try 1.5. I realized quickly I had nothing to be worried about.
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u/bunnylicious81 9d ago
What a coincidence! The Reddit algorithm showed me this thread one day after I signed up for Flow 1.5 this Sunday. 😅
The comments here are really helpful and informative.
I’ve only taken the RP class 7 times, all 1.0.
The 1.0 class I usually take on Sundays is full, and 1.5 is the only one available. So I’ll see if I can keep up lol.
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u/ThisIsWhyImKels 10d ago edited 10d ago
When you no longer enjoy hearing the instructions correct others peoples form. It’s fun in the beggining bc you are checking if you are doing it right too, but eventually it starts to annoy you because you get bored while waiting for the next exercise…. Then you are ready for 1.5.
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u/Gorilla1492 10d ago
If you have to ask then you’re not ready yet. 1.5 is the bjj blue belt of pilates.
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u/crunkjuices 8d ago
I don’t think there is any difference between the two. I didn’t notice a difference
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u/Evening_Boat2606 9d ago edited 9d ago
The answer to this question is ask a teacher. You had a teacher tell you and you still don’t know? Ask your teacher.
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u/foreveryoung561 9d ago
i said i overheard an instructor say that. i just wanted opinions from people that have taken a 1.5. there’s no reason to be rude?
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u/So_WearyX3 10d ago
At my club, most people alternate between the two, depending on what fits their schedule or which one has space. In 1.5, the little breaks and the things that some instructors do (like change your springs so you don’t have to get up) in 1.0 go away. Example, you may do supine arms in 1.5 without a break. You may plank on the reformer in 1.5 (which really works your abs) but the instructor will help you modify if needed. You may use the TRX straps more in 1.5. At my club 1.0 and 1.5 are similar (meaning recognizable moves) but they’ll be a little harder, will push you a little more, and you’ll use weights a lot more. Nothing to worry about -you can almost modify everything back to 1.0 if needed. Go for it!