One-on-one mat Pilates at home, with a coach who watches your alignment and adapts every move.
This page is for you if you'd like private Pilates but don't want studio prices, or you've tried Pilates videos and never knew if you were doing it right. HipTrain is live 1-on-1 personal training over video, and Pilates is one of our coaches' specialties. You see the same coach every time, from about $14 a session, and your first session is free.
Pilates is all about the small stuff. A roll-up, a leg circle or a simple bridge looks easy on video. Done well, it means a steady pelvis, a long neck and controlled breathing. Most people can't feel when their ribs flare or their lower back lifts off the mat. A coach watching you live can see it and cue you in plain words.
It suits many adults over 40. Harvard Health describes Pilates as a system that builds balance, flexibility and core strength, done on a mat with your own body weight or on equipment. It lists possible benefits for older adults, including better posture and help with back pain, and notes it's low-impact, which may be easier on the joints.
But not every move fits every body. Harvard Health also says to check with your doctor before trying a new kind of exercise, and that your doctor may suggest skipping certain Pilates moves if you have back or spine issues. In a group class, everyone does the same move. In a private session, your coach swaps in a version that suits you, and keeps it that way every week.
It fills a guideline gap. The CDC suggests adults do muscle-strengthening activity at least 2 days a week. Mat Pilates works the core, hips and legs, and many people find it a gentle way to meet that goal, especially alongside walking.
Here's an example of a 30-minute private mat Pilates session for a beginner. You'll need a mat or a carpeted floor, and maybe a pillow or a folded towel.
This example mixes Pilates with other movement, since Pilates on its own doesn't cover the aerobic part of the guidelines.
"I've been training with Felipe for about 3 months, and I can tell a difference in my abs and overall fitness. Felipe pushes me beyond what I'd do on my own, but is still considerate of my age (70's) and limitations." (Carole N., Google review)
Carole's review is about general training with her coach, not Pilates in particular, but it shows the same thing private Pilates is about: core work, adjusted to your body and your age.
Spread over a little more than four weeks, each 30-minute session costs about $14, and each 60-minute session about $25. Your first session is free, and booking it doesn't need a credit card.
HipTrain is HSA / FSA eligible. Under IRS Publication 502, exercise usually qualifies as a medical expense only for a specific medical condition, so your plan may want a Letter of Medical Necessity. Check your own plan before you rely on it.
For comparison, Airtasker's cost guide puts private mat Pilates at $40 to $100 a session, and private reformer sessions at $65 to $175, with some big-city studios reaching $200.
If you want reformer, Cadillac or tower work, you need a studio with the machines. HipTrain is mat-based and uses what you have at home. If you want a teacher with a specific classical Pilates lineage, look for a certified studio teacher. HipTrain is also live at a set time, so if you prefer to follow videos whenever you like, an on-demand app suits you better. We don't have a big on-demand library, and we're a smaller company, with 29 App Store ratings compared with thousands for the big apps.
Yes. Harvard Health notes Pilates can be done on a mat using your own body weight. Your coach can add a towel, a pillow or a resistance band for variety.
Many people over 50 find it a good fit because it's low-impact and focuses on core strength, balance and posture. Check with your doctor first if you have back or spine concerns, or any other health condition. Our page for adults over 50 covers more.
A video can't see you. In a live private session, your coach watches your alignment, changes moves that don't feel right and moves you forward when you're ready.
Yes. Many members mix Pilates with strength training or mobility work. Tell us in the two-minute questionnaire and we'll match you with a coach who teaches what you want.
Curious how private Pilates feels at home? Try your first session free. No credit card needed.