Understanding Progression in Pilates
One of the questions we hear most often at our classical Pilates studio in Brussels is:
“How do I know when I’m ready to move to the next Pilates level?”
It’s a fair question—especially if you’ve practiced Pilates in studios where classes may be open to everyone.
The answer begins with Joseph Pilates himself.
Did Joseph Pilates Teach Pilates in Levels?
Interestingly, Joseph Pilates never created an official level system or teacher training program.
Instead, he taught each person according to the body standing in front of him. His clients learned progressively, building strength, control, mobility, and confidence over time. Once they became familiar with the method, many would move from private sessions into what was essentially an open gym, where they practiced their own workouts while Joseph or Clara Pilates walked around the room offering guidance, corrections, and encouragement.
In other words, the exercises were introduced when the person was ready for them.
So Where Did Pilates Levels Come From?
As the method spread around the world, experienced teachers needed a way to preserve the integrity of Joseph Pilates’ work while making it teachable to future generations.
That’s when teacher training programs and level systems were developed.
Most schools of classical Pilates organize their levels in a remarkably similar way. The repertoire remains largely the same, but there can be small differences in when certain exercises are introduced within the progression.
These differences revolve around questions like:
- What movement skills should someone already understand before trying it?
- How much strength, mobility, coordination, and control are needed?
- Is the client physically and mentally ready to benefit from this exercise?
- Would another exercise—or even another piece of apparatus—prepare the body better first?
Sometimes breaking an exercise into smaller pieces is the right approach. Sometimes teaching the same movement pattern on another apparatus creates a deeper understanding. And sometimes a client is ready to try something earlier than expected because their body already has the necessary movement skills.
Why Pre-Pilates Matters
Sometimes the next step isn’t the full exercise.
It’s what many teachers call Pre-Pilates: carefully chosen movements that develop the coordination, awareness, and movement patterns needed before learning a more complex exercise.
Pre-Pilates isn’t simply “easier Pilates.”
It’s intelligent preparation.
The better the foundation, the smoother—and often faster—the progress becomes.
Why We Organize Our Group Classes by Level
As a studio in Brussels dedicated exclusively to classical Pilates while also offering small group apparatus classes, we wanted to create an environment that is both technically sound and enjoyable to learn in.
Our classes are limited to five people, allowing us to give each client personal attention while maintaining the energy and motivation that comes from learning together.
Organising these classes by level helps everyone.
It means every client can practice safely, confidently, and with the appropriate amount of challenge.
Most importantly, everyone shares a common movement vocabulary. If you attend a class with any teacher in our studio, your experience remains consistent because the progression is shared across the studio.
To move to the next level, we simply ask that clients demonstrate a solid understanding of the exercises and movement principles of the current one. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about ensuring that the next challenges can be approached safely, with confidence, and without disrupting the rhythm of the group.
Our levels are designed to create a smooth, enjoyable learning experience where every client has the opportunity to succeed.
Progress Isn’t About Doing the Hardest Exercises
One of the biggest misconceptions about Pilates is that progressing means performing increasingly impressive choreography.
That’s only part of the story.
In classical Pilates, progression also means developing a deeper understanding of the method.
Can you move with precision?
Can you coordinate your breath naturally with the movement?
Can you maintain control without unnecessary tension?
Can your whole body work together instead of relying on one strong muscle group?
Sometimes an advanced practitioner performs a beginner exercise with extraordinary quality.
And sometimes someone performs an advanced exercise long before we might expect.
There are famous stories of Romana Kryzanowska, one of Joseph Pilates’ closest protégés, performing what we would now consider advanced exercises during her very first sessions as a client. Joseph Pilates introduced these movements because he recognized that her body was ready for them. It is a reminder that the method has always been about teaching the person in front of you, rather than rigidly following a checklist.
The level system gives us a shared framework.
Experience brings the nuance.
Honouring Joseph Pilates’ Vision
Joseph Pilates taught private sessions, group mat classes, and supervised an open studio where clients practiced independently.
He also believed Pilates should become part of everyday life.
The Wunda Chair was designed to look like a beautiful piece of furniture for the home. He published books so people could continue practicing on their own, sold his equipment for home use, and even imagined his method being taught to children in schools.
We can’t imagine Joseph Pilates expected children to take private lessons before learning Contrology.
His vision was much bigger than that.
He wanted people to develop healthy movement habits they could carry into everyday life.
At our studio, we honour that philosophy.
We offer private sessions, small group apparatus classes, and encourage clients to become increasingly independent in their practice over time.
Our small groups are an adaptation, but one that we believe stays true to the spirit of the method. They combine individual attention with something equally valuable: community.
There is something special about learning alongside others, celebrating progress together, encouraging one another through challenges, and sharing the joy of movement. We believe that this sense of community is just as important as technical excellence.
Your Pilates Journey Is Your Own
Whether you’re stepping onto a Reformer for the first time or have been practicing Pilates for years, progression is a process of becoming stronger, more coordinated, more aware, and more connected to your body.
Our level system exists to support that journey.
Every exercise builds toward the next. Every class lays another brick in the foundation. Every milestone reflects not only what you can do, but how well you understand the principles of breath, concentration, control, precision, centering, and flowing movement that make Pilates so transformative.
If you’re looking for classical Pilates in Brussels and would like to experience a thoughtful, progressive approach to learning, we’d love to welcome you to our studio.
We are dedicated to teaching the classical Contrology Pilates method not only through private sessions, but also through small group classes, allowing our clients to experience the benefits of individual attention while also enjoying the motivation, connection, and community that comes from practicing together.
Whether you are beginning your Pilates journey, returning to movement after time away, or looking to deepen an existing practice, we welcome you to discover a progressive and intelligent approach to movement 💛
