Pilates can improve strength, posture, balance, mobility and flexibility, which helps explain why it has become such a popular way to exercise. It can also be adapted for different ages, abilities and fitness levels. But once you have decided to try Pilates, there is another important choice to make: should you join a group class or book a private Pilates session?
Group Pilates classes can be enjoyable, sociable and cost-effective. For some people, they provide all the instruction and motivation they need. However, when you want an exercise programme built around your body, goals and experience, private Pilates offers a much more personalised approach.
At Vive Fitness, private and semi-private Reformer Pilates sessions are available at our boutique studios in Westminster and Richmond. Clients can choose focused one-to-one Pilates training or share a one-to-two session with a friend, family member or fellow Vive member.
Here is how private Pilates compares with group Pilates, and why a more personalised session may help you get more from every workout.
Private Pilates vs Group Pilates: What Is the Difference?
The fundamental Pilates principles remain the same in both formats. You will still focus on controlled movement, breathing, alignment, stability and core strength.
The main difference is how much the session can be adapted to you.
Private Pilates
One instructor focuses on one client. The programme is designed around your goals, with exercises progressing at your pace. You receive continuous technique corrections, and reformer settings are adjusted specifically for you. Appointment times can be more flexible. Private Pilates is ideal for specific goals or movement concerns.
Group Pilates
One instructor teaches several participants in a class that follows a pre-planned sequence. The group usually moves at a shared pace, though individual corrections may be limited. Reformer settings may need to suit a wider range of participants, and sessions follow a fixed timetable. Group Pilates is ideal for general fitness and social motivation.
In a group Reformer Pilates class, the instructor must divide their attention across several people. They may offer different exercise levels, but they cannot observe every movement or completely redesign the session for each participant.
During a one-to-one Pilates session, your instructor can watch how you move, adjust the Reformer, refine your technique and select exercises that support your particular objectives.
1. Your Pilates Programme Is Built Around You
The greatest benefit of private Pilates is personalisation.
No two clients arrive with exactly the same posture, mobility, strength, exercise history or goals. One person may want to improve their core strength after years of desk-based work. Another may want to complement running, cycling or strength training. Someone else may be returning to exercise after a long break.
A generic group programme cannot fully account for all those differences.
At Vive Fitness, new private Reformer Pilates clients begin with a consultation and movement assessment. Your instructor discusses your exercise experience, goals, movement patterns and any relevant limitations before designing your programme. The exercises are selected for your current ability rather than taken from a standard class template.
Your programme can then evolve as your strength, control and confidence improve.
2. You Receive More Attention to Technique
Pilates is based on precision and control. Small details, such as your foot position, pelvic alignment, breathing pattern or Reformer spring resistance, can significantly affect how an exercise feels and which muscles are doing the work.
In a busy group Pilates class, an instructor may spot major errors, but it is difficult to monitor every repetition performed by every participant.
Private Pilates gives your instructor the opportunity to provide feedback throughout the session. They can change your position, adjust the equipment and explain how an exercise should feel before an ineffective movement pattern becomes a habit.
This focused coaching can be particularly helpful for Pilates beginners. Instead of trying to follow the person on the next Reformer, you can learn the foundations properly and ask questions whenever something is unclear.
3. The Session Moves at Your Pace
Group classes need to maintain a consistent flow. That can be motivating when the pace suits you, but it can also create difficulties.
Beginners may feel rushed when learning how to use the Reformer. More experienced clients may find that a general class does not provide the progression or challenge they need. Participants with restricted mobility may also need longer transitions or alternative exercises.
In a private Reformer Pilates session, there is no pressure to keep up with a group.
Your instructor can spend more time on an important foundational movement, reduce the resistance when you need support or increase the challenge when you are ready. Progressions are introduced according to your ability, not according to the class timetable.
4. Every Exercise Has a Clear Purpose
A group Pilates class must provide a balanced workout for a broad range of people. This is valuable for general fitness, but some exercises may be less relevant to your individual priorities.
Private Pilates allows more of the session to be spent on the movements that matter to you.
Your programme might focus on:
- Core strength and stability
- Posture and body awareness
- Hip, shoulder or spinal mobility
- Flexibility and controlled range of motion
- Balance and coordination
- Full-body strength
- Movement quality for another sport
- Building confidence after time away from exercise
Because the session is targeted, less time is spent performing exercises that do not support your current objectives.
5. Private Pilates Can Be Better for Beginners
Walking into a large Reformer Pilates class for the first time can feel intimidating. The equipment is unfamiliar, the exercise names may be new and other participants may appear to know exactly what they are doing.
A private beginner Pilates session offers a calmer introduction.
Your instructor can explain how the Reformer works, including the carriage, straps, footbar and adjustable springs. You can learn how to move safely between positions, practise the core Pilates principles and develop confidence before considering a larger class environment.
No previous Pilates experience is required for sessions at Vive Fitness. The exercises and equipment settings are adapted to the client’s current fitness level, while all equipment, mats and towels are provided.
6. Your Progress Can Be Easier to Monitor
Progress in Pilates is not simply about using heavier resistance. It may involve better control, improved alignment, a greater range of movement, stronger balance or the ability to complete a complex sequence without compensating.
When the same instructor works closely with you, these changes are easier to observe.
Your trainer can track how you respond to particular exercises and continually adjust your programme. As you develop, sessions can introduce more complex movement patterns, different resistance settings and new balance or coordination challenges.
This creates a clear progression rather than repeating the same general class indefinitely.
7. Sessions Can Fit More Easily Around Your Schedule
Group Pilates classes usually take place at fixed times. When work, commuting or family commitments change from week to week, attending the right class can become difficult.
Private Pilates is appointment-based, which can provide more flexibility for busy clients.
Vive Fitness offers private Reformer Pilates at two convenient London locations:
Private Pilates in Westminster
Vive Fitness Westminster is located at 22 Medway Street, around a five-minute walk from Victoria Station and approximately eight minutes from Westminster Station. It is particularly convenient for people working in Westminster, Victoria, Pimlico and the surrounding central London area.
The studio provides specialist Reformer Pilates equipment, changing facilities, showers and a wider range of training and recovery services under one roof. These include EMS personal training, sports massage and assisted stretching.
Private Pilates in Richmond
The Richmond studio is located at 1 Bridge Street, close to Richmond riverside and around an eight-minute walk from Richmond Station.
Clients train in a dedicated Reformer Pilates studio with natural light, within a relaxed boutique environment. Changing rooms, showers, equipment and other amenities are available, making the studio convenient for Richmond residents, commuters and clients travelling from nearby areas such as Twickenham.
8. Semi-Private Pilates Offers Personalisation and Motivation
Private Pilates does not always have to mean exercising alone.
Vive Fitness also offers one-to-two Reformer Pilates sessions. This semi-private Pilates format allows two people to train together while still receiving far more instructor attention than they would usually receive in a group class.
A semi-private session can be a good choice when you would like to:
- Exercise with a partner, friend or family member
- Share the experience with someone at a similar level
- Add social motivation and accountability
- Receive personalised instruction in a less crowded environment
- Choose a more economical alternative to one-to-one training
The instructor can still adapt exercises, Reformer settings and progressions for each participant. This makes one-to-two Pilates different from a conventional group class, even though you share the session with another person.
9. Private Sessions Provide a More Focused Environment
Some people thrive on the energy of a busy class. Others find crowds, loud music or the pressure to keep pace distracting.
Vive Fitness studios are private, fully equipped and designed for focused training. Rather than being one person in a large class, you can concentrate on the quality of your movement and communicate directly with your instructor.
This can make it easier to build the mind-body awareness that is central to Pilates.
10. Private Pilates Can Complement Other Training
Reformer Pilates does not need to replace your existing exercise routine.
A personalised programme can be designed to complement strength training, running, cycling, golf, tennis or another sport. Your instructor can identify areas that may need additional mobility, stability or control and choose movements that support your wider training goals.
At Vive Fitness, Reformer Pilates can also form part of a broader wellness programme. Depending on your needs, you may combine it with EMS personal training, assisted stretching or sports massage at the same location.
Is Private Pilates Worth It?
Private Pilates usually costs more per person than a standard group class. The value comes from receiving a programme and an instructor’s attention for the whole session.
It may be especially worthwhile when:
- You are completely new to Reformer Pilates
- You want to improve your technique
- You have a specific strength, posture or mobility goal
- You prefer privacy to a crowded class
- You need exercises to progress at your own pace
- Your schedule makes fixed classes difficult
- You want to train with one friend in a semi-private session
- You are not getting the results you want from general classes
Group Pilates remains a good option for people who enjoy exercising in a larger community and are comfortable following a general programme. Some clients also use private sessions to learn the fundamentals before moving into group classes.
The best choice depends on the amount of individual guidance you need and the experience you want from your Pilates training.
What to Expect at Vive Fitness
Private Reformer Pilates sessions at Vive Fitness last 50 minutes. This provides time for a warm-up, targeted Reformer exercises and a controlled cool-down. Your instructor can explain each movement, refine your technique and modify the programme during the session.
Vive’s Reformer Pilates experience includes:
- An initial consultation and movement assessment
- A personalised training plan
- Expert-led one-to-one instruction
- One-to-two buddy and semi-private sessions
- Specialist Reformer Pilates equipment
- Real-time corrections and programme adjustments
- Sessions adapted for beginners and experienced clients
- All necessary equipment, mats and towels
- Private boutique studios in Westminster and Richmond
- Pay-as-you-go, session bundle and membership options
New clients can currently book a £35 introductory Reformer Pilates session, which includes a consultation and personalised training.
There are no joining fees or long-term contracts required to try the service.
Frequently Asked Questions About Private Pilates
Is private Pilates better than group Pilates?
Private Pilates is better when you need individual coaching, a personalised programme or exercises that progress at your own pace.
Group Pilates may be preferable when your priority is social interaction or a lower cost per class.
How long is a private Reformer Pilates session?
Private Reformer Pilates sessions at Vive Fitness last 50 minutes, including time for warming up, targeted exercises and cooling down.
Can two people book a private Pilates session?
Yes. Vive Fitness offers one-to-two semi-private Pilates sessions, allowing you to train with a friend, partner or family member while still receiving focused instructor attention.
Is private Reformer Pilates suitable for beginners?
Yes. Private sessions are particularly useful for beginners because the instructor can explain the equipment, teach correct technique and adapt every exercise to the client’s starting level.
How often should I attend Reformer Pilates?
The right frequency depends on your goals, schedule and other activities. Many Vive clients train once or twice per week, although your instructor can recommend an appropriate routine following your consultation.
Where can I book private Pilates in London?
Vive Fitness offers private Reformer Pilates in Westminster, near Victoria and Westminster stations, and in Richmond, close to Richmond Station and the Thames riverside.
Experience Personalised Reformer Pilates at Vive Fitness
The biggest difference between private and group Pilates is simple: in a private session, the programme fits you rather than requiring you to fit the programme.
With individual attention, real-time technique coaching and exercises selected around your goals, private Reformer Pilates can provide a more focused and productive way to build strength, improve mobility and develop better movement habits.
Choose one-to-one Pilates for maximum personalisation or book a one-to-two semi-private session to train alongside someone you know.
Book your £35 introductory Reformer Pilates session at Vive Fitness Westminster or Richmond and discover what a programme designed around your body can do.
