New to Pilates? Start Here.

Beginner Pilates Classes

No experience needed. We teach you the reformer, build your foundation, and guide you at your own pace. All three Long Island studios.

Everyone Starts Somewhere

You Do Not Need to Know Anything to Start

If you have never been on a Pilates reformer, you are not behind. You are right where every single one of our current clients started. Some of the people in our Level 2 and Level 3 classes walked in years ago not knowing what a spring setting was. They started with orientation, just like you will.

At Art of Pilates, we built our beginner program around one idea: you should feel confident and comfortable before you ever join a group class. That starts with learning the machine, understanding the movements, and having an instructor who pays attention to how your body responds to each exercise.

With only 9 reformers per studio and a max of 10 people per class, your instructor sees you. They correct your form while you are moving, not after. They learn your body. And they never rush you to the next level before you are ready.

Beginner getting started on reformer at Art of Pilates

How It Works

Your Path from Beginner to Confident

Three steps. No pressure. No timeline. You move at the pace that is right for your body.

1

Orientation Class

Your first class is a 50-minute orientation for $31. Your instructor teaches you the STOTT V2 Max Reformer, the spring system, the straps, and the foundational movements. This is a real workout, not just a walkthrough. Required for all new clients, even if you have done Pilates somewhere else.

2

Level 1 Classes

After orientation, you join Level 1. These are 50-minute group sessions focused on core stabilization, strength, flexibility, balance, and alignment. Your instructor watches your form, gives real-time corrections, and builds your confidence with every class. Most beginners stay in Level 1 for several weeks to a few months.

3

Progress When Ready

When your instructor sees that your form, strength, and body awareness are solid, they will approve you for Level 2. There is no test and no deadline. You move up when your body is ready, and your instructor will tell you when that is. From there, the path to Level 3 works the same way.

We Hear You

What Most Beginners Worry About

Every new client has the same concerns before their first class. Here is what we tell them.

"I will be the oldest person there."
Our clients range from their 20s to their 70s. Pilates adapts to your body, not the other way around. You will share the room with people at all different ages and fitness levels, and nobody is paying attention to anyone but themselves and their instructor.
"I am not flexible enough for Pilates."
You do not need to be flexible to start. That is one of the things Pilates builds over time. The reformer supports your body through every movement, and your instructor adjusts the range of motion to match where you are right now.
"I tried a franchise and it felt impersonal."
That is exactly why Art of Pilates exists. We have 9 reformers per studio, not 18 or 20. Our instructors have 600+ hours of training, not 60. The difference is obvious from the moment you walk in.
"I do not know how the machine works."
That is what orientation is for. Your instructor walks you through every part of the reformer step by step. By the end of your first class, you will know how to set up your machine, adjust the springs, and use the straps with confidence.
"I have back pain. Is this safe?"
Many of our clients started because of back pain. The reformer is one of the safest ways to build core strength while supporting your spine. Your instructor modifies every exercise to protect your back while still giving you a real workout.
"What if I cannot keep up?"
Level 1 is designed for your pace. Your instructor adjusts the intensity, the spring resistance, and the complexity of each exercise to match what your body can handle. There is no keeping up. There is only doing the work at your level.

Real Results from Day One

What Beginners Notice First

After your first class, you will feel muscles you did not know you had. That is normal. The reformer targets deep stabilizer muscles that most workouts miss entirely. By your third or fourth class, you will notice your posture shifting. Your core will start to wake up. And the movements that felt awkward in orientation will start to feel natural.

Within a month of consistent classes, most beginners notice better balance, less stiffness in the mornings, improved posture at their desk, and a general feeling of being more connected to their body. The changes are not dramatic overnight, but they add up quickly.

If you want to accelerate your progress, adding a private session alongside your group classes gives you focused one-on-one time to work on specific areas and build your skills faster.

Beginner client during Pilates class at Art of Pilates

Getting Started

How Much It Costs to Begin

Your first class is the $31 orientation. After that, single classes are $40 or you can save with a package. All packages work at any of our three studios.

$31

Orientation Class

Your required first class. Learn the reformer, do a full workout, and get ready for Level 1.

$40

Single Class

Drop in for any Level 1 class on the schedule. No commitment needed.

$190

5 Class Package

$38 per class. A good starting package to build consistency in your first few weeks.

Visit your nearest studio page for full pricing including monthly memberships and private sessions.

Why Beginners Choose Us

A Studio That Was Built for People Like You

A lot of people try Pilates at a big franchise first. They walk into a room with 18 or 20 reformers, follow instructions from a screen or a rushed instructor, and leave wondering what the fuss was about. That is not Pilates. That is a conveyor belt.

Art of Pilates was built to be the opposite. Kathy Affrunti started this studio because she believed Pilates should feel personal. With 9 reformers, instructors who put in 600+ hours of training, and a community that actually cares, this is a place where beginners feel welcome from the moment they walk through the door.

Many of our senior clients started as complete beginners. So did clients who came in with arthritis or chronic pain. They all started with orientation, took Level 1 at their own pace, and found something that actually works for their body.

Art of Pilates studio with 9 reformers

Where to Start

Book Your Orientation at Any Studio

Orientation classes run throughout the week at all three locations. Pick the studio closest to you, find an orientation on the schedule, and book it.

Huntington

140 E. Main St, Huntington, NY

631-459-4313
View Schedule
Greenvale

87 Glen Cove Road, Greenvale, NY

516-646-6628
View Schedule
Commack

6401 Jericho Turnpike, Commack, NY

631-354-3219
View Schedule

Common Questions

Beginner Pilates Classes FAQ

Do I need any experience to start Pilates at Art of Pilates?
No experience is needed at all. Every new client starts with a $31 orientation class that teaches you how to use the reformer, the springs, and the straps. You will do a full 50-minute workout during orientation so you get comfortable with the machine and the movements before joining a regular class.
What if I have never been on a Pilates reformer before?
That is exactly what the orientation class is for. Your instructor walks you through every part of the STOTT V2 Max Reformer including how to set it up for your height, how the spring resistance works, and how to use the straps safely. By the end of the class, you will know how everything works and be ready for Level 1.
Will I be the only beginner in the class?
Level 1 classes always have a mix of newer and more experienced clients. With only 9 reformers per studio, your instructor sees every person in the room and adapts their attention to whoever needs it most. You will never feel singled out or left behind.
How long does it take to move from beginner to intermediate Pilates?
It depends on your body and how often you come. Most clients spend several weeks to a few months in Level 1 before their instructor approves them for Level 2. There is no set timeline and no pressure to move faster than you are ready for. Your instructor will tell you when your form and strength are ready.
What should I wear to my first Pilates class?
Wear comfortable workout clothes that let you move freely. Avoid anything too loose that could get caught in the springs or straps. Grip socks are required for every class and are available for purchase at the front desk. Arrive a few minutes early so the team can get you set up.

Ready to Try Your First Class?

Your orientation class is $31. Pick the studio closest to you and book today. No experience needed.

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Have Questions Before You Start?

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