How Often Should I Do Pilates?
The answer depends on your goals, but there are a few principles that apply to almost everyone.
One of the questions I'm asked most often is, "How often should I do Pilates?" It's usually followed by another: "How long until I see results?"
The honest answer is that it depends.
Why it depends
Before I recommend how often you should do Pilates, I need to understand where you're trying to get to.
One person might want to return to tennis without hip pain. Another wants to rebuild strength after having a baby. Someone else simply wants to move with more confidence or keep up with their grandchildren.
Until we know what success looks like for you, it's difficult to know the best way to get there.
That's why every client begins with an initial consultation. Together, we create a personalised plan based on your goals, how your body moves today and the areas that will make the biggest difference.
Once we know your goal, we can answer the two questions everyone wants to know: how often you should practise, and how quickly you're likely to make progress.
So, how often should you do Pilates?
In general, the more consistently you practise Pilates, the sooner you're likely to notice progress. Regular practice helps you build strength, improve mobility and move better.
Once a week is a great place to start. It's enough to build momentum and make steady progress over time.
Many clients notice changes within the first month, whether that's feeling less stiff, moving more confidently or becoming more aware of how their body works.
Twice a week is often my recommendation. For most people, it strikes a great balance between fitting into a busy life and making faster progress. You're reinforcing better movement, building strength more quickly and, in most cases, reaching your goals sooner.
Three or more sessions a week can be very effective if it aligns with your goals and fits realistically into your lifestyle. If you're working towards a specific goal or simply love how Pilates makes you feel, doing Pilates more often can absolutely speed up your progress.
Exactly when you'll notice results depends on your starting point and what you're working towards. But Pilates results rarely announce themselves. More often, you notice the absence of something: a nagging ache, morning stiffness or discomfort when doing everyday things. Those are the moments worth celebrating, and one of the reasons we include regular progress reviews.
Consistency beats motivation
One piece of advice I give to anyone starting Pilates is:
Don't build your routine around motivation. Build it around your life.
The best Pilates program isn't the one with the most sessions. It's the one that's built around your goals and is realistic enough that you'll still be doing it a year from now.
Consistently showing up is what creates lasting results.
Sarah Schoknecht
Sarah Schoknecht is the founder of Avera Pilates in Mount Eliza and a registered Pilates Practitioner with the Pilates Association Australia. She holds a Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction and a Bachelor of Dance from the VCA, with over a decade of Pilates experience spanning dancers and athletes, pregnancy and postnatal, injury recovery, and strength for longevity. She runs every session at Avera Pilates.
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Get in touch today to organise your initial consultation and start experiencing the benefits of Pilates at Avera.