A workout that pairs strength with flexibility, focuses on breathing and mind-body connection, uses as many or as few props as you want, and is a lot harder than it looks is bound to be popular. And, well, it is. From TikTok influencers to NFL players, Pilates seems to be everywhere. Now, thanks to Pilates apps, it’s easier to access than ever before.

For this guide, we decided to jump feet-first into the virtual Pilates trend. We tested six apps that contain Pilates workouts—a few that are 100% focused on Pilates, and some that include Pilates among a range of disciplines—and talked to several instructors to understand what makes for a good Pilates app. In the end, we thought five of the apps we tested were winners, but each serves different needs and offers a different vibe.

The Best Pilates Apps

Pilatesology had the biggest emphasis on classic Pilates of all the apps I tried. This means there are fewer fusion-style options, and the app in general promotes an anatomy-first, alignment-focused ethos. The Pilates teachers I interviewed also recommended it. They noted that it comes closest to offering an in-studio experience because you can take mat-based classes, in addition to classes that feature reformers and other Pilates-specific props. Overall, I found this app to be incredibly educational, with well-trained teachers (all are certified by the National Pilates Certification Program), exceptional postural explanations, and a variety of class options ranging in length and difficulty.

When you open up the Pilatesology app, you’re directed to search for classes by type. This is subdivided by equipment, tempo, duration, focus and language), program type (like “seven-day reset,” “reformer 360,” or “enliven your backbends”), or teacher. The app doesn’t list the exact number, but there are hundreds of classes. Many are 20 minutes long and focused on specific body areas or props, which range from Pilates reformers to the Magic Circle. I took a side body-focused class, as well as one meant to improve spinal mobility. Both options were only 20 minutes long but more challenging than I expected; each featured a student taking the class and an instructor offering adjustments and guidance. (This is the only app that features students and teachers.)

Compared to the other apps I tested, Pilatesology was far less flashy. There is no music, and each instructor is based in a different studio. In fact, I thought the experience felt akin to going to see a physical therapist, not like taking a SoulCycle class. But after each class, I felt strong and calm. I was able to push myself in a smart way without injury, and felt as though I had targeted certain muscle groups.

The only true downside to Pilatesology—minus it being a bit less flashy than the rest—is a tendency toward overwhelm. There’s such a huge variety of class styles and types that it can be difficult to choose which classes to take. Be forewarned that unless you choose the “beginner” filter, many of the classes assume a baseline knowledge of postures and breathwork. And, compared to the other apps we tested, Pilatesology is more likely to assume that you have Pilates equipment at home. If you own a reformer, you’ll love all those offerings! But if you don’t, you may find the dozens of mat-only classes to be a bit spare.

Psst: Ness Cardmembers get a longer free trial with obé.¹

If you like the high-energy feel of a SoulCycle class, obé is the Pilates app for you. It offers classes with instructors who have big personalities, and the whole app’s vibe is upbeat, fast-paced, and motivational. There’s a huge variety of classes on offer: Pilates, boxing, dance, sculpt, cycling, HIIT, trampoline, yoga, barre, meditation, and beyond. For me, this app offered the closest to an in-person, in-studio experience, likely due to the fact that the instructors speak to their students while on camera and offers recorded and live classes. You can view most classes that were once offered live in obé’s library.

When you first sign up, obé prompts you to fill out a questionnaire focused on your fitness level, goals, preferences, and ideal teacher style. (The platform is very focused on matching you to your ideal instructor type, which sets this app apart from the others we tried.) Then, the app generates recommendations. I started with a 27-minute mat Pilates session and was incredibly sore the next day. With a focus on alignment and posture, the class was much closer to traditional Pilates than some of the other apps I tried, and I loved the music. The vibes were so good, in fact, that my toddler joined me halfway through! Even though I was working out in my house, I felt an immersive sense of community.

I appreciated that obé’s classes are of varying lengths, too. Like the other apps I tried, you can enter your experience level and interests at the outset, which tailors the class options you see. I was offered a few Pilates options, plus a cardio class that I could take before my Pilates class, and a 10-minute stretching class that I could stack after it. It’s the most expensive app we tested, but I found that the price was worth it for the sheer variety of offerings. I also appreciated the diversity of body types, personalities, and races represented within the instructor panel.

A few downsides: If you’re looking for reformer-based Pilates classes, you won’t find them here. And compared to the Pilates-only apps I tried, obé doesn’t have as many Pilates classes on offer. There’s also not a lot of form-based education—the app assumes that you have some kind of fitness background. 

The other pure Pilates app I tried, Pilates Anytime, is far less traditional than Pilatesology. Rather than sticking with well-known Pilates moves, most Pilates Anytime classes incorporate barre, kickboxing, and yoga. Some classes include cardio, whereas others are mat-focused. At first, I thought this departure from tradition might be annoying—and, indeed, people who have been practicing Pilates for a while may be frustrated. But after a few classes, its upbeat fusion style had me hooked.

When you log into Pilates Anytime, you can choose your preferences based on class level (which range from beginner to advanced), class length (which range from 20 minutes to over an hour), and equipment (including a mat, reformer, and beyond). This will tailor the class offerings you can see. 

My recommended class list featured a 30-minute intermediate Pilates cardio flow. I found it to be challenging but fun; it felt much more like a boot camp class than many of the other classes I tried while working on this guide. There was upbeat music, a flashy background, a fit instructor, and everything moved at a quick pace. But at the end of the session, I felt a notable increase in energy. I was also quite sore the next day.

Pilates Anytime offers reformer classes, although far fewer than those offered in Pilatesology. Most of the classes recommended to me were mat-focused, and they varied in terms of content. “Booty barre,” athletic reformer flows, and low back pain classes were among the most frequently recommended. But I appreciated that the instructors had varying perspectives and body types.

My only quibble with this app, apart from its lack of a traditional focus (which some people may prefer), was that a few of the teachers I learned from had less-than-stellar form. They also didn’t seem incredibly focused on anatomical cues. (This is likely because they were teaching while also doing the practice themselves on camera, which is incredibly tricky.) I’ve been exercising long enough to know how to engage my low core and support my neck when it starts feeling strained—but I may have hurt myself without this knowledge. Compared to Pilatesology, there was a far less significant focus on form and student education.

The Melissa Wood Health (MWH) app is the most niche offering we tested. While wellness leader Wood-Tepperberg doesn’t teach every class, most students will find this app via following the instructor herself across various platforms. Compared to many of the other apps we tried, the MWH app offers less variety in classes, simply because it’s a smaller operation. The ethos is very female and elegant, with lots of instructors with notably thin body types. The app offers Pilates, yoga, “sculpt,” grounding meditations, and dance classes.

Like the other apps we tried, MWH offers an initial questionnaire with just a few questions about your intentions and average exercise routine. From the options suggested, I chose to take a 24-minute class taught by Melissa herself, and I found it to be choreographed well. It was in line with traditional Pilates, fairly challenging, required hand weights, and was incredibly efficient. The class targeted many different body parts quickly and left me feeling sore the next day despite how short the class was. If anything, the vibe of the MWH Pilates class felt like the complete opposite of the class I took from obé, but I wasn’t upset about that. Instead, I found myself feeling calm and grounded after the class ended. I also tried a short dance class which was just technical enough to be interesting, but still suitable for a beginner.

The app’s interface is easy to use. My only true complaint was that one might get bored over time due to a lack of class variety. 

Alo Yoga is a popular activewear brand. Thus, its fitness app, Alo Moves, has a branded quality, with visuals and instructors who look straight out of Instagram. Compared to the other apps I tried, this one felt a bit advertisement-heavy, with sponsored retreats and other offerings plastered throughout. But like the others, you can choose from a menu of class preferences—yoga, Pilates, barre, “fitness,” and meditation—and intended difficulty levels. This creates a tailored-to-you list of classes, most of which do not require any props. If you have a reformer, you’ll find a few classes designed with that equipment in mind.

Classes range from 10 to 40 minutes in length and vary far beyond Pilates. (It’s also our favorite yoga app.) You can filter them based on intensity, instructors, time, and style. Many of the classes are offered as part of a “series,” which typically lasts a week or two and is designed to give you daily motivation to exercise.

I started with a 40-minute Pilates flow, which was challenging and fast-paced. The transitions were quick and I noted right away that instructors assumed some baseline-Pilates knowledge. Unlike many of the other classes I took, this one had a built-in cardio warm up and a stretching cooldown, which was a huge bonus. I also spent some time trying Alo’s other classes, and especially appreciated the sleep-focused meditation options.

My main complaint about Alo, beyond its branded nature, is the lack of instructor-based education. Compared to Pilatesology, for example, there’s simply less guidance on form. However, the instructors featured on the app are trained well and offer a diverse background of experience and body types.

What Is Pilates?

Pilates is a low-impact workout that’s meant to build strength and counteract muscle imbalance Cleveland Clinic “Everything You Want to Know About Pilates” View Source . Pilates movements stem from the core, and most instructors teach the exercises in sets that include core work, breathwork, stretching, hip mobility, and beyond.

You can practice Pilates on a mat (often with a variety of props like resistance bands and light hand weights), a reformer (which includes a platform, sliding carriage, and a system of ropes and pulleys), a Cadillac (a large, elevated mat with spring attachments and poles attached at each corner), a chair (a stool with a wide platform and an attached foot petal loaded with springs to increase and decrease the level of difficulty in each exercise), and tower (a modified version of the Cadillac that can be attached to a wall alone or included on the back of some reformers). You can also find heated Pilates classes. All Pilates workouts, whether done on the mat with props or with a traditional Pilates apparatus, use muscles many different planes of movement.

Old-school practitioners will note that although Pilates is trending, it’s certainly nothing new. It was created nearly 100 years ago by Joseph Pilates, who primarily used it as a conditioning and rehabilitation system for dancers. His original set of exercises is classified as “Classical” Pilates. Other methods, which integrate more modern understanding of the body and how it works, are referred to as “Contemporary” Pilates. (Either way, Mr. Pilates, who died in 1967, might be slightly confused by the concept of his life’s work becoming part of TikTok’s “Pink Pilates Princess” aesthetic.)

Is Pilates a Healthy Form of Exercise?

Pilates has been backed by numerous studies: It can improve muscle endurance and flexibility Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research “Pilates for Improvement of Muscle Endurance, Flexibility, Balance, and Posture” View Source , give you better posture and balance Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research “Pilates for Improvement of Muscle Endurance, Flexibility, Balance, and Posture” View Source (plus improved motor skills ScienceDirect “Maximizing the benefits of Pilates-inspired exercise for learning functional motor skills” View Source ), reduce chronic pain PubMed.gov “Is Pilates an effective rehabilitation tool? A systematic review” View Source , and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression ScienceDirect “The effects of pilates on mental health outcomes: A meta-analysis of controlled trials” View Source . Pilates has also been shown to help people of varying ages MDPI “Benefits of Pilates in the Elderly Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” View Source , as well as those with varying health conditions MDPI “Benefits of Pilates in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” View Source . In other words, it’s an equal-opportunity form of exercise that can be practiced throughout the years.

How often should someone practice Pilates to get these benefits? According to experts, practicing Pilates on three days each week is a sweet spot for receiving the benefits, especially when paired with cardio on two or three other days.

Will Pilates Give You Long, Lean Muscles?

It’s definitely possible to gain muscle by practicing Pilates, particularly if you work with weights or tension on various machines. But with the increased popularity of this workout also comes a host of bogus promises—including the one that doing Pilates will deliver “long” and “lean” muscles. (Seriously, why won’t that claim die?) This kind of language may help book classes, but you can’t control whether the type of muscle you build looks elongated or not. 

This isn’t to say that you won’t see a difference in your physique if you continually opt for, say, Crossfit or powerlifting over Pilates. A workout that emphasizes lifting heavy will build muscle strength and size in a different way than a workout that aims to condition and rehabilitate your muscles. But Pilates alone does not guarantee a “toned” muscle look. 

So, is Pilates healthy? Indubitably so. Will it make you stronger? You betcha. Will it deliver “long” and “lean” muscles? No, because that isn’t really a thing. 

Is Pilates Better Than Lifting Weights?

Pilates is great! But it’s not inherently better than weightlifting. (Or cardio, yoga, or anything else.) Sure, if you’ve been told to prioritize low-impact workouts over ones with lots of jumping and bouncing—especially if you’re recovering from an injury, or building back to exercise postpartum—Pilates may be a better option for you than something like a HIIT workout.

Otherwise, it’s up to you. The best workout is one that you enjoy doing, and the one that best supports your physical and mental needs in the moment. If that’s Pilates, that’s great. If not, you have other options.

Is Virtual Pilates Just as Good as In-person Pilates?

The overall consensus from experts was a rather disappointing and resonant “no.” All the instructors I spoke with told me that Pilates is meant to be done in person, with certain equipment and a highly qualified teacher who can offer you cues and adjustments. 

“Practicing in a shared physical space with a qualified teacher who can see your alignment, connect to your body with partnering, encourage you, and see all of your body language just under the surface, as well as all of the obvious stuff happening out-loud with the exercises, gives you a much richer and more three-dimensional understanding of the work and your own body,” says Meredith Coffin, the owner of Springboard Pilates and a Pilates teacher.

“Doing mat Pilates at home is only part of Pilates,” says Shari Berkowitz, a Pilates instructor who also leads Pilates teacher training courses and owns The Vertical Workshop. Many of the apps we tried only offer mat Pilates, although a few have class options for people who own special equipment. Berkowitz says that virtual classes should be a supplement to being in the studio: “You won’t achieve the full benefits of Pilates with mat only and no hands-on [adjustments].”`

Both instructors note that they teach differently when they’re in person, compared to when they teach virtually. Each offers different images and ideas while teaching virtually, rather than doing hands-on cuing. It’s easier to connect with students, make jokes and massage tightness in person—all of which are key to a good exercise experience—but both note that they’ve had incredibly positive interactions with virtual students, too, who sometimes take class from hundreds of miles away. If you sign up for a Pilates app, Berkowitz says you should still try to get into the studio twice each week.

Still, IRL classes aren’t possible for everyone. Both teachers note that virtual Pilates allows you to practice when you don’t have a studio near you that you like, which can be a huge benefit. Virtual exercise classes also reduce barriers like commuting, and they allow you to practice safely if you’re worried about sickness. Apps are also a lot more affordable than in-person classes.

How We Found The Best Pilates Apps

Meet Your Guinea Pig

I’m Jenni Gritters, a journalist with 10 years of experience covering science, health and psychology. I’ve written product reviews for publications like Reviewed, Wirecutter, Forbes, and Slate, and you can find my essays and reported stories in the New York Times and the Guardian. I was previously an editor at Wirecutter where I covered parenting gear, outdoor gear, and travel apparel as a writer and editor.

I also spoke with Meredith Coffin, the owner of Springboard Pilates and a teacher; and Shari Berkowitz, a Pilates teacher of teachers at The Vertical Workshop. Both offered insight into the benefits and downfalls of practicing Pilates virtually.

Our Testing Process

First, I spent several hours researching the best Pilates apps. I read product roundups, perused the app store, and read dozens of Pilates-centric blogs. Then I created a list of 20 of the best apps. Eventually, I narrowed our list down to six apps I wanted to test.

I downloaded those apps, got each set up, and took notes on pricing and ease of use. Then I took two Pilates classes on each app, accepting each app’s recommendations and attempting to choose diverse options. After taking the classes, I spent some time navigating the apps. I also used the alternative options offered by some of the apps, which included mindfulness sessions, meditations, walking and running training, and beyond. In the end, I found that most of the apps were fun to use, but each served a different purpose and offered a different vibe.

How to Pick a Pilates App

The best Pilates apps should be:

• Easy to use: The app should be easy to set up, navigate, and use. It should have a streamlined user experience, and you should not need to look up anything about using it. It should also function well while the videos are playing.
• Low cost: Most Pilates apps offer one or two free trial weeks before charging you for a monthly or annual membership. We preferred options that under $10/month (like Melissa Wood Health), but you get more when you pay more. Some of our favorite apps (like obé) were $25/ month. This is worth it if you’re exchanging that app for a more-pricey, in-person membership.
• Full of variety: The should be enough variety that you don’t get bored within a month or so. The app should have classes of different lengths, themes, and beyond. They should also offer options for beginners to advanced practitioners. “There needs to be definitions of what each level means, too,” says Berkowitz.
• Expert-led with quality instruction: You don’t want to hurt yourself. Posture and alignment is very, very important in Pilates. Classes should be led by someone who knows what they are doing—ideally certified in Pilates by the National Pilates Certification Program. We also appreciated classes with a diverse teacher population. “If you can’t look up the information on the teacher you’ll be working with, that’s a red flag,” says Berkowitz. “It’s important to know a bit about the teacher and feel comfortable with your choice.”

Comparing the Best Pilates Apps in This Review

The App	Price	Class Options	Do We Recommend?
Pilatesology: Best Pilates Reformer App A no-frills app with a focus on anatomy and alignment	2-week free trial; $20/month or $179/year	Biggest emphasis on classic Pilates. Fewer fusion-style options.	Yes!
Pilates Anytime: Best Pilates Fusion An upbeat app featuring innovative Pilates fusion classes	2-week free trial; $21.99/month	Pilates that incorporates barre, kickboxing, and yoga. Some classes include cardio, whereas others are mat-focused.	Yes!
obé: Best for Pilates + Other Workouts A virtual exercise option with an immersive built-in community	1-week free trial; $24.99/month	Huge variety: Pilates, boxing, dance, sculpt, cycling, HIIT, trampoline, yoga, barre, meditation, and more.	Yes!
Melissa Wood Health: Best Dance-inspired Classes Short, efficient virtual exercise sessions that fuse dance with other modalities (like Pilates)	1-week free trial; $9.99/month	Less variety (smaller operation). Pilates, yoga, “sculpt,” grounding meditations, and dance classes.	Yes!
Alo Moves: Best Pilates for the Matching Set Community Pilates, yoga, meditation, and more in gorgeous settings	2-week free trial; $20/month	Yoga, Pilates, barre, fitness, and meditation.	Yes!
Pilates Lumowell: The Only Free Option Basic, animated workbook-style Pilates	Free	5-10 minute workouts	No

Best Equipment To Practice Pilates At Home

For the most part, you don’t need a ton of stuff to practice Pilates at home. But a few things will make your practice more effective.

Must-have Pilates gear:

• A mat: At a baseline, a good mat will get you through your classes. You can use a typical yoga mat (we like like Lululemon’s Reversible Mat) or go for a squishier foam mat for more support as you work through Pilates’ ab-centric exercises. (A squishier mat can also make exercises more challenging by increasing instability, especially for standing work.)
• Comfy clothes: Opt for lightweight, sweat-wicking apparel. For most people, a pair of leggings, a tank top, and a sports bra (if needed) are sufficient. If you don’t like practicing barefoot, you might want a pair of socks with grippy soles. 

Nice-to-have Pilates gear:

These accessories aren’t necessary, but lots of the apps we tested used them.

• Light hand weights: Hand weights between 2 and 5 pounds may be useful for certain workouts. You can also add them to a basic workout if you want more of a challenge or opt for ankle and wrist weights. (We like CAP’s weights.)
• Magic Circle: This rubber-covered resistance ring can be used to improve muscle strength. Most moves place it between the inner thighs and the arms.
• Yoga blocks: They’re not just for yoga! You can use a yoga block to make certain positions more comfortable or add resistance during leg-lifting exercises. (We love Manduka’s cork block.)
• Resistance bands: Often used for clamshells and planks, resistance bands serve to add a bit more umph to an average Pilates sesh. (We like Arena Strength’s booty bands.)
• A Pilates reformer: This bed-like frame has a flat platform on it (called the carriage). The platform rolls back and forth on wheels, attached by a set of springs. Reformers can cost a few thousand dollars, which is why you’re more likely to see them in a studio than someone’s home. But if you’re serious about your Pilates practice, it’s totally possible to get one for personal use.

A Pilates App To Skip

This is the only free Pilates app on this list. However, it quickly earned a spot in the “nope” list when I realized that its lack of cost meant it was rife with advertisements. The interface was not enjoyable to use and the 5-10 minute workouts did not have instructors or music; instead, they were based on animations that demonstrated different exercises. If you’re looking for something that’s totally free, you’ll have better luck on YouTube.

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