Move Better. Feel Better.

Pilates for Arthritis

Low-impact reformer work that improves joint mobility, reduces stiffness, and builds strength around your joints without aggravating them.

What Arthritis Takes Away

Stiff Joints Make Everything Harder

Getting out of bed takes longer. Climbing stairs feels different than it used to. Your hands are tight in the morning. Your knees ache when the weather changes. And the idea of exercising feels risky because you are not sure what will make it worse.

That hesitation is normal. But here is what most people with arthritis do not hear often enough: the worst thing for arthritic joints is not moving them. Joints need movement to stay lubricated, maintain range of motion, and keep the surrounding muscles strong enough to take pressure off the joint itself.

The question is not whether to exercise. It is finding the right kind of exercise that moves your joints without stressing them. That is where the reformer comes in.

Reformer Pilates for arthritis clients at Art of Pilates

Why the Reformer Works for Arthritis

Your Joints Get Movement Without Impact

The reformer carriage glides on a track. There is no jumping, no pounding, and no sudden movements. Every exercise is controlled and fluid. The spring resistance is adjustable, so your instructor can lighten the load on joints that are flaring up and add resistance to build the muscles that support them.

Unlike floor exercises where you bear your full body weight on your wrists, knees, or hips, the reformer distributes the work differently. You can strengthen your legs without standing. You can work your arms without loading your wrists. You can build core strength without putting pressure on your spine.

  • Moves joints through their full range of motion safely
  • Builds strength in the muscles that protect arthritic joints
  • Reduces morning stiffness with consistent practice
  • Improves circulation to joint tissue
  • Zero impact on knees, hips, wrists, and spine
  • Every exercise modified to your condition in real time
Low-impact reformer exercises for arthritis

Types of Arthritis We Work With

The Reformer Helps Regardless of Your Diagnosis

Different types of arthritis affect different joints in different ways. The reformer adapts to all of them because your instructor controls the resistance, the range of motion, and the positions you work in.

Osteoarthritis
The most common form, caused by cartilage wearing down over time. Reformer Pilates keeps the joints moving, strengthens the muscles that absorb shock around the joint, and maintains range of motion that would otherwise decline with inactivity.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An autoimmune condition where joints become inflamed and painful. On flare days, your instructor lightens the load and focuses on gentle movement. On good days, they build strength that protects the joint between flares. The adjustable springs make this possible within every single session.
Hip and Knee Arthritis
Weightbearing exercises can aggravate arthritic hips and knees. On the reformer, much of the work is done lying down or seated, which takes the weight off these joints while still building the muscles around them. Leg presses, footwork, and hip circles all happen without standing.
Hand and Wrist Arthritis
Gripping weights or supporting body weight on your hands is painful with wrist or hand arthritis. Your instructor can modify every upper body exercise to use straps instead of grips, or adjust positions so your wrists bear minimal load while your arms and shoulders still do the work.

Why Instruction Matters More with Arthritis

Your Instructor Knows How to Protect Your Joints

Arthritis is not a one-size-fits-all condition. Your knees might be fine while your hands are flaring. One hip might be stiff while the other feels normal. That is why a class with 18 or 20 people and a single instructor yelling from the front of the room does not work for arthritis clients.

At Art of Pilates, every small group class has a max of 10 people with 9 reformers. Your instructor sees you. They ask how your joints are feeling before class starts. They modify exercises on the spot based on what is happening in your body that day. And because they have completed 600+ hours of training, they understand joint mechanics well enough to keep you safe while still giving you a real workout.

If you want even more personalized attention, private sessions let your instructor build the entire 50 minutes around your specific joints and your specific condition.

Instructor modifying exercise for arthritis client

What to Expect

How Your Body Responds Over Time

Arthritis does not go away, but how it affects your daily life can change significantly with consistent reformer work.

First 2 Weeks
Your body gets used to the reformer. You learn how the movements feel in your joints. Your instructor learns your specific limitations. Some clients notice reduced morning stiffness after just a few sessions.
After 4 to 6 Weeks
Noticeable improvement in joint mobility and overall range of motion. The muscles around your affected joints are stronger, which means the joints themselves carry less load. Daily activities like climbing stairs or getting out of a car start to feel easier.
After 3 Months
Most clients report that their arthritis affects their daily life less than it did before they started. Flare-ups may still happen, but the baseline level of stiffness and discomfort is lower. Balance and stability improve, which reduces the risk of falls.
Long Term
Clients who practice Pilates consistently maintain their mobility, their independence, and their quality of life in ways that sedentary arthritis management cannot match. Many of our senior clients with arthritis have been coming for years and credit the reformer with keeping them active and independent.

How to Start

Getting Started with Arthritis

The path depends on the severity of your arthritis. For most clients, the standard route works well: take the $31 orientation class to learn the reformer, then join Level 1 classes where your instructor modifies exercises for your joints.

If your arthritis is more advanced or affects multiple joints, starting with a few private sessions gives your instructor time to understand your condition and build a plan around it before you join a group.

Always let the front desk and your instructor know about your arthritis before your first class. The more they know about which joints are affected and how you are feeling, the better they can adapt the workout for you. We recommend checking with your doctor or rheumatologist before starting, especially if you are managing an active flare.

Art of Pilates studio ready for clients

Related

Arthritis Clients Also Benefit From

Many arthritis clients are also working on these related goals, all of which the reformer addresses in every session.

Spinal arthritis and lower back pain often go hand in hand. The reformer builds core strength that supports and decompresses the spine.
Stiff joints limit your range of motion. The reformer opens up tight areas through controlled, supported movements.
Arthritis becomes more common with age. Many of our senior clients manage their arthritis through consistent reformer practice.
A strong core takes pressure off your joints during daily activities and improves balance and stability.

Where to Start

Book at Any of Our Three Studios

Let the front desk know about your arthritis when you book. They will make sure your instructor is prepared to modify for your joints from day one.

Huntington

140 E. Main St, Huntington, NY

631-459-4313
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Greenvale

87 Glen Cove Road, Greenvale, NY

516-646-6628
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Commack

6401 Jericho Turnpike, Commack, NY

631-354-3219
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Common Questions

Pilates for Arthritis FAQ

Is Pilates safe for people with arthritis?
Yes. Reformer Pilates is one of the safest forms of exercise for arthritis because the machine supports your body weight and the spring resistance is fully adjustable. Your instructor modifies every exercise to protect your joints while still building strength and mobility around them. Many rheumatologists and physical therapists recommend Pilates for arthritis management.
What types of arthritis can Pilates help with?
Reformer Pilates benefits clients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory joint conditions. The controlled, low-impact movements improve joint mobility without the impact or repetitive stress that aggravates arthritis symptoms. Your instructor adjusts exercises based on which joints are affected and how they are feeling on any given day.
Will Pilates make my arthritis worse?
When performed correctly with proper instruction, Pilates should not make arthritis worse. Controlled movement is one of the best things for arthritic joints because it keeps them mobile, strengthens the muscles that support them, and improves circulation to the joint tissue. Staying sedentary is what typically makes arthritis worse over time.
Should I take a group class or a private session if I have arthritis?
Both options work well. In our small group classes with a max of 10 people, your instructor can modify exercises for your joints in real time. If your arthritis is more severe, a private session gives your instructor 50 minutes to design the entire workout around your condition.
How often should I do Pilates if I have arthritis?
Most arthritis clients benefit from 2 to 3 sessions per week. Consistency matters more than intensity. Regular movement keeps your joints mobile and the muscles around them strong. Your instructor will help you find the right frequency based on your condition and how your body responds.

Ready to Move Better?

New clients start with a $31 orientation class. Let us know about your arthritis when you book and we will make sure you are taken care of.

Huntington Greenvale Commack

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Questions About Pilates for Arthritis?

Fill out the form and we will help you figure out the best way to start based on your condition.

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