Gym vs Pilates Studio: What’s the Difference and Which Is Right for You?
In the last ten years, New York City has witnessed a small-group fitness bonanza. Boutique studios have popped up all over the city, offering specialized programs that provide an opportunity for people to explore a new way to move their bodies—from boxing to barre. And you don’t have to be an expert to join in. Of course, Pilates has been offering this studio-model for boutique fitness since Joseph Pilates opened his first studio in New York in the 1920s.
For people who lack the experience or expertise to develop a workout routine that provides a challenge week after week, or for those who may need the sharp eye of an instructor to make sure their movements are technically sound, these studios are a marvel. On the other hand, this type of workout may be a nightmare for people who know exactly how to execute a full-body workout tailored to their preferences and who are just looking for a space where they can pop on their headphones and get down to business.
Obviously, when it comes to health and fitness, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. With a number of options available, it’s important to choose the type of exercise environment that aligns best with your goals and lifestyle. If you’re curious about Pilates, and you’re debating joining a gym or a Pilates studio—it’s important to know that they offer very different experiences.
Purpose and Philosophy
Typically, gyms offer a dealer’s choice for general fitness and physical conditioning. Whether you’re lifting weights, running on a treadmill or taking a high intensity training class, gyms often offer a wide variety of equipment and sometimes even provide classes that target strength, endurance and cardiovascular health. A Pilates studio, on the other hand, more typically focuses on controlled movement, alignment, core strength and mind-body connection. Rooted in the method developed by Joseph Pilates, the practice emphasizes quality of movement over quantity, making it ideal for improving posture, flexibility and body awareness.
Equipment and Space
Pilates studios are specialized spaces—often designed to be minimal and calming. Think: natural light and cozy décor in soft neutrals. They’re equipped with a variety of unique equipment designed by Joseph Pilates himself, including Reformers, Cadillacs, Wunda Chairs and Ladder Barrels, which all serve to provide resistance and support to facilitate precise movements and improve body alignment. At a gym, expect a larger, more open space sometimes divided by equipment, including rows of cardio machines (treadmills, ellipticals, bikes) as far as the eye can see, along with weight racks, resistance machines, and open areas for stretching or functional training. Depending on the size of the gym, there might also be specific zones or rooms for different types of exercise, including group fitness classes.
Modes
One nice feature of a gym is that it offers variety. Depending on the space, a traditional gym may offer strength training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), cardio, group classes and personal training. The variety allows you to work at your own pace or follow a structured program. Pilates sessions—whether on the mat or on reformers—are typically instructor-led. Classes focus on small, intentional movements and breath control and allow for highly personalized instruction. In this type of environment, instructors can be conscious of form, alignment, and each clients’ individual needs. This is especially beneficial for those who are working through injuries. The pace in a Pilates studio may be slower than a traditional gym workout, but the exercises are deceptively challenging.
Environment
Anyone who has ever worked out in a big box gym during the early morning rush or the post-work hustle will be familiar with the magnified, reverberating energy of this particular environment. There is music—often loud, usually top 40s—despite many gymgoers arriving with their own headphones and preferred listening cued up. There is the ubiquitous row of TVs, lined up like magazines on a newsstand, in front of treadmills and elliptical machines to help patrons keep their mind off their workouts. During the busiest hours, there may be wait times for popular machines with a request from a lingering stranger to work into your set. You may even detect the audible sounds of heft: grunting and exclamations—the clang of weights punctuating a final rep. Some people thrive off of this energy and find motivation in such a charged atmosphere. However, the chaos of a large public gym might be overwhelming for others.
Which is Right for You?
Pilates studios are a good choice for people looking for a calmer, more mindful environment. At The Pilates Room NYC we’ve cultivated a tranquil environment with plenty of space and natural light. The instructors establish an atmosphere that allows clients to focus on their mind-body connection and their breath.
Of course, all Pilates studios and gyms are not created equally. We’ve seen Pilates spaces decked out with mirror balls, dark walls, neon lights and high-energy dance music reminiscent of Studio 54 in its heyday. And, of course, we’ve seen smaller, quieter gyms that offer a tranquil, soft environment to pump iron. In general, a gym might be the better choice for you if you enjoy a high-octane, fast-paced workout or if you’re looking to pack on the muscle. A Pilates studio might be more your speed if you’re looking for a calmer workout that builds core strength and improves posture and mobility.
Luckily, you don’t have to choose one over the other. Many people supplement regular strength training with Pilates, to create a varied weekly routine that incorporates strength and cardio from the gym along with core and alignment work from Pilates.