No matter what neighborhood you might be looking within New York City, chances are you can find the best of the best in Pilates studios nationwide. Why is this?

Joseph Pilates himself immigrated to the US and opened a fitness studio in New York on 8th avenue. By the early 1960’s Joseph Pilates worked with many important artists in the dance community including George Balanchine, Martha Graham, Ron Fletcher and others.

His legacy lives strong within the city as many of the oldest and most successful studios in NYC continue his method in principle and technique. Known as “classical” or “authentic” studios such as ours (Core Pilates NYC), Uptown Pilates, Real Pilates and more tout this classical approach in their classes and private sessions.

The Method has indeed evolved somewhat and while still being considered classical you can find innovative modifications and progressive approaches at even the most diehard classical studios. Core Pilates NYC for instance prescribes to the classical Mat orders in all our classes and most classes are based on the anatomical progressions that give you that epic Pilates zing that no other method can deliver.

But does it make NYC the Best for Pilates?

Up until recently that was the sentiment. There have been some newcomers to the Pilates market on the west coast that employ some amazing talent in teachers and practices some kick-butt Pilates. And as the popularity soared in the last decade you can find amazing Pilates studio in Cape Town, Europe and the Middle East. And with 1st generation teachers and THEIR proteges taking Pilates to their local markets… you can safely say that the landscape of finding effective, worthwhile Pilates classes and sessions has definitely fallen upon greener pastures.

It really depends on preference. If you are in it for a tight butt and busting a sweat – the more contemporary studio chains such as SLT and others that have the megaformer for example can do just that. They don’t follow the classical principles and have created a workout Method all their own.

If you are looking for classical Pilates group Mat classes, Reformer classes, private one-on-one sessions and teacher training contact us at [email protected] or call 212.260.5464.