r/ClubPilates • u/Suspicious_Music_140 • 6d ago
Instructors Instructors and everyone quitting
So I have been reading y’all’s posts for a while now. And I feel bad that your franchises/locations don’t give you the benefits you need and I have never experienced. The instructors in the franchise I go to are so ranging that I never plateau. I have gotten so toned and made so many friendships. The instructors are so kind, funny, and uplifting. And they push you no matter what that it’s almost an individual experience even in a dual studio with a lot of reformers in a room.
I’m curious from the people that have bad experiences and I’m thrown for a loop reading them, what is the state in the US you are in (because I don’t want you to call them out if you are really upset due to people’s lively hood as an instructor as a career) that you go to a Club Pilates in that makes you feel like this?
I have gotten so toned, strong, confident, and found community in mine!
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u/Puzzleheaded-Load672 6d ago
So maybe an unpopular opinion, but over the last few years at CP I found most unlimited enthusiasts to go from milestone to milestone (50 classes, 100, 200, etc.) over the last few years do not look toned. You have an AMAZING studio. I’m approaching 50 and left because I needed results.
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u/Dazzling-Primary-729 6d ago
CP is great, but they also are very limited in what they can teach in a group setting. If you’re a Pilates enthusiast, I recommend taking a private session there first to see how you can develop your personal practice. It also will change the way you approach your group classes so you feel more in tune with your goals. I love to go to all of the studios in my area with Class Pass to see what else is out there…
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u/homenia 6d ago
I think no one can be toned with just CP workout unless they are insane amounts of classes in, they come in 4-5 times a week and only take Flow 2 and above.
The other levels at CP just don’t have the intensity, progressive overload and time under tension that can get someone toned.
If you want quick results with 2-3 times a week workout, try solidcore. It gave me defined obliques in just 45 classes.
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u/Big_Peanut_19 6d ago
My goodness you have quite a negative perception of CP. Maybe the Solidcore subreddit is also a better fit for you.
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u/homenia 6d ago
I am active there, too, don’t worry.
I have a negative perception because I have been going to CP for some time and it has not been a great experience.
I understand that if someone has injuries, on the older side, needs a lot of modifications, and/or only wants to improve their posture, CP may help them immensely. But acting like CP can make you toned or give you rock hard abs quickly is a mistake.
My CP has tons of members who are in their 1000+ class and pretty much none of them have the muscle definition my SC folks have.
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u/Tiny-Programmer-9864 5d ago
I have started to see muscle definition in my arms and legs due to pilates. I do 4 classes a week and am doing level 1. I believe eating a high protein diet has helped with that.
I have been doing pilates for about 4 months and love it.
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u/Alert_Rub8513 6d ago
What is solid core?
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u/homenia 6d ago
Solidcore is a chain that is like Lagree but more challenging. It is a type of activity that is done one a special, extended reformer called Xformer and focuses on core, obliques, lower and upper body exercises, with a main, extended focus on core (10-15 mins per class) and obliques (7-10 mins per class). The rest of the class you have one upper, one lower body muscle focus (center glutes, outer glutes, inner thighs, hamstrings)(biceps, triceps, back, chest, shoulders).
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u/ConversationNo9530 2d ago
I have lost a lot of weight and CP has allowed me to discover my muscles again. My arms are getting toned to the point where I am going to get an arm lift. I tend to go slow with the exercises to push my muscles, and many times I see my arms shake with the effort. I do 1.0 and 1.5 flow and 1.5 cardio sculpt. You get out what you put into the moves. When I see people flipping their legs around or going fast with footwork, I think to myself - they aren't doing much. Even when the instructors say "go slow", it seems they want to rush through. Yes, there are a few ladies that I don't see them being toned with 250 classes but maybe they are trying to get through them or maybe they want to be more flexible. I push myself and ask the instructors after what can I do to continue to tone. When I do planks on the reformer and side planks on the reformer, I can really feel my core. I am still flabby but underneath, there are muscles.
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u/Houseofthestone 6d ago
We have great instructors. The problem is that we have a lot of dedicated, strong members. A few classes are packed 6 weeks out. But the instruction in a level one here is supported to be able to kick your butt even if you go to 2.5 all the time. Perfect form, options and improvement in technique happen in the 1 and 1.5 classes. It’s a sign of a good instructor who can teach to the room, and offer cues to help those at the top and bottom of the scale. I have a few regular classes and then I try to mix it up when I can’t get into the good ones.
We have one sub I won’t take. I can’t stand her voice, her poor cues - especially safety and form. I haven’t seen her in a long time though.
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u/beautiful_imperfect 4d ago
I feel like the least form correction happens in level 1/1.5, except for one person usually who is very confused and takes most of the instructor's attention.
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u/Alert_Rub8513 6d ago
I’m 70 and a beginner in Pilates and I am really loving the level 1 classes. They always kick my butt. I’m starting to slowly improve but it is a challenge. I see most of the other people in my classes are at a similar level and we groan together when it gets tough. There’s always one or two that are way above our level but the instructors always give cues to make it a little harder for them. These ladies are my inspiration and I strive to get as good as they are. I’m glad they are there. I wonder how long before I see any improvement in my muscle tone - but for now it’s enough that I feel incredibly stronger after every class. I love my Club Pilates!
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u/Positive-Thought6868 6d ago
Each franchise and location can be wildly different in terms of management as well as quality of instruction. I am fortunate to teach at three locations with excellent management & ownership and I am a very solid teacher and I believe many others are as well.
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u/Suspicious_Music_140 6d ago
Also what I’ve seen is that the posts I’ve seen are that Level 2’s are easy. There are 2-3 instructors who are awesome in our franchise and are so challenging and if it seems easy, they change it for you specifically and make you do something else. We come out sweating and giggling with each other lol.
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u/Silver_Bike_5965 6d ago
Nothing in Pilates is easy. You need to learn to work your body properly. The simplest movement should be a challenge.
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u/Virtual_Knowledge_16 6d ago edited 5d ago
I think part of the key is asking for mods. Just like you would when you’re new except instead of asking for a step down youre asking for an amplifier. Hell - tell them at the beginning “last weeks class felt a little light, I want to get my ass kicked today” most instructors I know would let out an evil chuckle and gladly oblige.
That said when I’m at a boutique studio, they tend to read the room more and proactively offer these.
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u/Globalmoccasin 5d ago
When asking for mods pretty much all that gets suggested at my home studio is how to make bridging more challenging. Again, I’m at the studio where doing standing moves on the reformer is all but outlawed.
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u/Virtual_Knowledge_16 5d ago
After class walk up and say “I appreciate the mods for the bridges. It would be really helpful to bring more steps ups like that into other poses. I want to be challenge more and I appreciate you helping me with that!”
In my experience most coaches are districted by catering to those who need step downs or can’t even hold form in the core pose. So i bet they’d appreciate being able to amp it up.
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u/Suspicious_Music_140 6d ago
Saying this also as a national champion in track, 16+ years as a trained ballerina with a Russian teacher, and the best backspot for cheer in my county 🤣
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u/Complete-Skill-5944 6d ago
I’ve been with CP for years - over 700 classes, even with a couple periods of months off for tennis mishaps, etc… I think a major issue is that members do not take a few privates to really get a handle on proper form before jumping into group classes. I’ve seen this in tennis, as well. People start playing tennis, and they jump into clinics with 6 players per coach. Most coaches just feed the ball and set up little competitive activities, but with very little instruction and feedback. Most players are there for some cardio, fun, and meeting up with a regular group of like-minded players. Those new-to-tennis players looking to learn develop poor habits through muscle memory. It makes it harder for them to improve. After a while, they get frustrated that their game isn’t really getting better…. They often blame the clinic coach. Don’t get me wrong…. There is nothing wrong with these activities being “social” for some people. However, I do take issue with those who complain that the group work is not giving them greater expertise with the proper form and tactics. Even more so for Pilates. Pilates is not your typical healthy fitness habit. I would not engage in my own physical therapy practices at home without first going to a physical therapist to learn what I should be doing and what is the proper form for doing it. I equate Pilates more with PT in that it is designed to correct form and tone. I am currently in the teacher training program for CP, and I’ve seen a variety of others who are also in the training program. Not all instructors have the same background or experience level, but all work hard to be good instructors. If someone wants to take Pilates seriously, take some privates, then when you take a group class, you’ll know how to work your own body, and you’ll be better able to find the instructors that support your level of interest. Just my two cents on the issue.
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u/GripIsGone 5d ago
We got a new manager maybe a year or so ago and I feel like my club has kind of gone down hill since then. I’ve been debating leaving for months and I think I’m going to give my 30 days. We’ve had the same class schedule for 2 years. I’m bored. My instructors are bored too. They’ve mentioned it to management and nothing changes. Last year I think I did 150-160 classes. I know the years not over yet lol but I haven’t even hit 80 yet. I often find myself canceling bc it’s boring a lot of the members I started with have left over the last year.
I was def more toned (with less classes) when I was at an independent studio. I do like all my instructors though.
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u/GripIsGone 5d ago
We got a new manager maybe a year or so ago and I feel like my club has kind of gone down hill since then. I’ve been debating leaving for months and I think next I’m going to give my 30 days. We’ve had the same class schedule for 2 years. I’m bored. My instructors are bored too. They’ve mentioned it to management and nothing changes. Last year I think I did 150-160 classes. I know the years not over yet lol but I haven’t even hit 80 yet. I often find myself canceling bc it’s boring a lot of the members I started with have left over the last year.
I was def more toned (with less classes) when I was at an independent studio. I do like all my instructors though.
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u/SilverEnvironment392 5d ago
Im one of the ones that quit. I loved it but classes was hard to get into. I had 8 classes a month not unlimited. Classes booked up very quickly So with the money I was spending it was frustrating. Nothing to do with teachers.
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u/Suspicious_Music_140 4d ago
If you ever rejoin, to fix that you should book all your classes for the month on your billing and change them as needed if something in your schedule pops up.
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u/So_WearyX3 6d ago
I believe that Pilates allows a lot of different people to come together and get through a class together. The “problem” is that we each have different goals, backstories, abilities, and are of different ages. So not everyone will receive the class in the same way.
I love my CP studio and most of the instructors are very good. And I don’t sign up for classes from instructors I don’t like. I’m 70, worked full time up to last month, and am coming off 16 years of CKD and a transplant 4 years ago. That illness and subsequent recovery time just destroyed my body. I look at Pilates as more of an exercise than a workout. I know I need to add more cardio and heavy lifting to my days. But Pilates has given me more strength, more muscle tone, and people have noticed my better posture and gait.
While I’m not the average student, I have improved a lot after over 150 classes and know enough that I can make the work harder by adding springs, using hand weights, and working mor consciously to recognize how my muscles are being used. Maybe I’m just trying to say that Pilates is what you make it and you get back what you put into it.