“Will everyone be better than me?”
Some people will have more experience. Nobody is watching you. Everyone is busy with their own carriage.
Beginner guide · Bare Wellness
What to expect at your first Pilates class
Your first class is simpler than it looks. Book a beginner-friendly session, arrive ten minutes early in fitted clothing and grip socks, and let the instructor know it is your first time. They take care of everything else.
The short version
Four things to know before you go
- 01
Book a beginner class
Classes are labelled by level. Pick a beginner-friendly session on the website or app, where the pace is set for people just starting out.
- 02
Arrive ten minutes early
That covers check-in, meeting your instructor and getting set up on your mat or reformer without a rush.
- 03
Grip socks required
Reformer and mat classes need grip socks for hygiene and grip. Wear fitted clothing so your instructor can see your alignment.
- 04
The instructor guides it all
Springs, setup, pacing and any changes are handled for you. Your only job is to follow along and ask questions.
How the first hour goes
The first hour, step by step
01
Before you go
Book your first class
Booking runs through the website and an iOS app that launches with the studio. Browse the schedule, filter for beginner-friendly sessions and reserve a spot. If a class is full and you have opted in, the waitlist can book you in automatically when a place opens.
Not sure which format to pick? Mat Pilates is the gentlest way into the fundamentals. Reformer Pilates is more supported than it looks, since the springs assist as much as they resist. Either one is fine for a first class.
One thing worth knowing about cancellations: they are free up to six hours before class and your credit comes back. Inside that window the class is forfeited, so book times you can actually keep.
Website + iOS appFree cancel · 6 hrsWaitlist auto-books
02
The night before
Pack the bag
Wear fitted, comfortable clothing. It lets your instructor see your alignment during class, which loose fabric tends to hide. Leggings and a fitted top work well for most people.
Grip socks are required for reformer and mat classes. They keep you steady on the carriage and the mat, and they are the one thing worth buying before you arrive. Bring water. For a hot class, bring a towel too and drink plenty beforehand.
Skip a heavy meal in the two hours before class. A light snack is fine. If you have an injury, are pregnant or have a medical condition, speak to your doctor first, then note it in your member profile.
Grip socksFitted kitWaterLight snack only
03
On the day
Arrive and check in
Arrive ten minutes early. That is enough time to check in, find the room and say hello to your instructor. Tell them it is your first class. It changes how they teach you, with more attention, more explanation and quieter corrections through the session.
The studio has two rooms inside Bloom Arjaan on Saadiyat Island. Yoga, mat Pilates, barre and hot classes run in the Open Studio. Reformer classes run in the Reformer Studio, where ten beds face one instructor. Your spot is set up before the hour starts.
10 minutes earlyTwo studiosSay it’s your first
04
In the room
On the equipment
Before class, your instructor sets up the equipment. On the reformer that means choosing your springs and showing you the carriage, footbar and straps. On the mat it means props and positioning. You are not expected to figure any of this out on your own.
During class, the cues are in plain language. You might hear terms like neutral spine or tabletop, and each one is explained the first time it comes up. Instructors hold recognised certifications such as STOTT, BASI and Polestar, and small classes mean they can watch everyone in the room.
If a movement does not work for your body, they give you an easier version, quietly and without any fuss. Taking that option is not failing the class. It is doing the class properly for where you are today.
Springs set for youPlain-language cuesSTOTT · BASI · PolestarModifications, always
05
Afterwards
How you’ll feel
Most first-timers walk out feeling taller and more awake than tired. Pilates works the deep stabilising muscles rather than chasing exhaustion, so you feel worked but not wiped out.
Over the next day or two, expect a little soreness in places you did not expect, usually the deep core, inner thighs and the muscles between your shoulder blades. It is normal and it passes. Gentle walking and water help.
One class teaches you the basics, and consistency does the rest. Two classes a week is a good rhythm to aim for in your first month.
Taller, not wiped outA little soreness, day 1 to 22x a week to start
Before you talk yourself out of it
Nervous? Everyone is.
Almost everyone turns up with the same quiet doubts. Here is why none of them last past the first class.
“Will I understand the equipment?”
Yes. Your instructor explains everything before you touch it, and the reformer is far simpler in practice than it looks in photos.
“What if I can’t do a movement?”
You take the easier version. Nobody expects you to nail every movement on day one.
“Will it be hard?”
A good beginner class works you while keeping you in control the whole way through.
“Do I need to be flexible first?”
No. Flexibility is something Pilates builds over time, not something you need before you start.
Good to know
Questions, answered
- Is Pilates good for complete beginners?
- Yes. Classes are labelled by level, so you can start with a beginner-friendly mat or reformer session where the pace and teaching are built for first-timers. If you would rather have one-to-one support first, private sessions can be arranged on request.
- Do I need to be flexible to start Pilates?
- No. Flexibility comes from doing Pilates, it is not something you need beforehand. Instructors offer an easier range for every movement, and mobility improves steadily as you train.
- How early should I arrive for my first Pilates class?
- Ten minutes early. That covers check-in, meeting your instructor and getting set up on your mat or reformer, and it leaves you a moment to mention it is your first visit.
- Do I really need grip socks?
- Yes, for reformer and mat classes. They are required for hygiene and grip, and they make a real difference on the reformer carriage. Regular socks are too slippery and bare feet are not allowed.
- Will I be sore after my first Pilates class?
- Probably a little, usually in the deep core, inner thighs and upper back a day or two later. It is mild, it passes quickly, and gentle movement and water help.
- Can I do my first class if I have an injury or I am pregnant?
- Speak to your doctor first. Once you are cleared, note the condition in your member profile and tell your instructor before class so they can adjust the movements for you throughout the session.
Keep reading
What to wearFitted clothing, grip socks, and what changes for hot classes.Read Reformer vs matHow springs change the work, and where to start by goal.Read Pilates frequencyThe honest answer on classes per week, by goal and level.Read Choosing a studioAn honest guide to choosing a Pilates studio in Abu Dhabi.Read
— Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
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