Private Pilates Sessions vs. Group Classes: Which Is Right for You?
If you're trying to decide between private Pilates sessions and group classes, the short answer is that neither is better than the other. They serve different purposes, and the right choice depends on your goals, your body, your budget, and where you are in your Pilates journey.
Private sessions give you one-on-one attention from an instructor who builds your entire session around your body. Group classes give you community, variety, and a more accessible price point. Many of our clients at our Lincoln Park and Lakeview studios do both, and that combination is often the sweet spot.
Let's break down what each one offers so you can decide what makes sense for you.
What Is a Private Pilates Session?
A private session is a one-on-one appointment with an instructor, tailored entirely to you. Your instructor designs the session around your body, your goals, and anything you're working through, whether that's an injury, a specific issue, or simply wanting to get stronger in a specific area.
A typical private session at Core Chicago is about 55 minutes. All of our instructors are comprehensively certified with a minimum of 500 hours of training, and many have continued their education in specialized areas beyond their original certification. That means if you're postpartum, recovering from surgery, or managing a chronic issue, there's usually someone on our team uniquely qualified to support you through that process.
This also allows your instructor to work directly with your care team, whether that's your doctor, physical therapist, or specialist, so you're receiving the most well-rounded care possible.
Who Private Sessions Are Best For
In our opinion, privates are great for everyone. Ideally, anyone starting Pilates would begin with a few private sessions to build a strong foundation. That said, they're especially valuable for someone recovering from an injury or surgery who needs personalized instruction, someone who is expecting or postpartum, or someone who simply prefers more hands-on attention and a fully customized workout.
What You'll Get From Privates That You Won't Get in a Group Class
Everything in a private session is tailored to your current state, goals, strength, and abilities. You'll be guided through your session with constant feedback and real-time adjustments to make sure you're activating the right muscles and working toward your specific goals. You'll also likely work on equipment beyond the Reformer, like the Tower, Chair, or Ladder Barrel, and get to experiment with exercises you wouldn't typically encounter in a group setting.
What Is a Group Pilates Class like?
Group classes at Core Chicago are small and semi-private by design. Our equipment classes cap at five people, which means you're still getting individual attention from your instructor, just in a shared environment. Our instructors are trained to modify and adjust for every person in the room, regardless of experience level.
We offer a wide variety of group classes, from Reformer and Tower to Jumpboard, Classical, and Sculpt, so there's something for every preference and fitness level.
Group Classes for Beginners
If you're just beginning your Pilates journey, we recommend starting with our Open Level Reformer class. You'll enjoy a gentle warm-up and low-impact exercises suitable for all fitness levels, with a focus on controlled movement and breathwork on the Reformer. If you're brand new to Pilates, check out our full guide on beginner Pilates classes in Chicago.
Who Group Classes Are Best For
We believe group classes are for everyone. But you might especially enjoy them if you're energized and motivated by group energy, you're looking for a more budget-friendly way to practice regularly, or you like variety in your workouts and instructors.
What You'll Get From Group Classes That You Won't Get in a Private
Group classes are one of the best ways to get exposed to different teachers and teaching styles. Everyone's body responds to different cues, so working with multiple instructors gives you a more well-rounded Pilates education. Beyond that, there's the community aspect: the energy of a room full of people working hard together, more class times to fit your schedule, and a more affordable way to practice consistently.
Can You Do Both?
Yes, in fact this is what we’d recommend! At Core Chicago, many of our most long standing clients use private sessions to work on specific goals or address injuries, and then take group classes throughout the week to maintain their practice and stay consistent. The two formats work together, and you don't have to choose one over the other.
If you're still not sure which format is right for you, ask yourself these questions:
What are my goals? If you have a specific goal, like rehabbing an injury, strengthening your pelvic floor postpartum, or addressing a chronic pain issue, private sessions are going to get you there faster. If your goal is general fitness, strength, and consistency, group classes will absolutely get the job done.
Do I have an injury or condition that needs individual attention? If you're recovering from surgery, managing an injury, pregnancy, or postpartum, we'd recommend starting with privates so your instructor can coordinate with your care team and build a program specific to your needs.
What's my budget? Privates are a bigger investment per session. If budget is a factor, group classes are a great way to practice consistently without the higher per-session cost. Many of our clients do one private per week and supplement with group classes to get the best of both worlds.
Am I brand new to Pilates? If you've never done Pilates before, even a few private sessions at the start can make a huge difference. You'll learn the foundational movements with hands-on guidance, which makes group classes feel much more comfortable and effective when you're ready for them.
Do I prefer individual attention or group energy? Some people love the focused, quiet environment of a private session. Others thrive off the energy of a room full of people working hard together. Neither is right or wrong, it's just personal preference.
How often do I want to practice? If you want to practice three or four times a week, doing all privates may not be realistic for most budgets. A combination of one private and two to three group classes per week is a sustainable rhythm that a lot of our clients settle into.
Do I want variety or consistency? Group classes expose you to different instructors, class styles, and equipment. Privates give you a consistent relationship with one instructor who really gets to know your body over time. Both have value, and again, you don't have to choose just one.
Getting Started at Core Chicago
Whether you choose private sessions, group classes, or both, we have intro packages designed to help you find the right fit.
If you're leaning toward privates: Our Privates Intro Package ($295) includes three one-on-one sessions to build your foundation and give you a feel for personalized instruction.
If you're leaning toward group classes: Our Intro Week Membership ($110) gives you unlimited classes for your first week (one per day) so you can try different instructors, class types, and times at both our Lincoln Park and Lakeview locations.
If you want to try both: Our Privates/Group Combo ($255) includes two private sessions and two group classes, which is the perfect way to experience the best of both formats.
View Our Full Schedule | Learn More About Our Intro Packages
Core Chicago Pilates Locations: Lincoln Park: 2549 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 Lakeview: 3000 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Questions? Email: info@corechicagopilates.com Call or text: 773-296-9660