Frequently Asked Questions

What days / times do your classes run?

We run classes in both of our studios; take a look at the Welwyn Garden City timetable here and the Wheathampstead timetable here. We’d love to see you in a class very soon!

Where can I park?

Both of the Pilates studios at Welwyn Garden City and Wheathampstead have ample free parking outside which includes accessible bays.

How long does a Pilates class last?

Each class lasts 55 minutes which includes wiping down the equipment and leaving the studio before the next class arrives.

How do I book a session?

Wheathampstead Studio
The hall at Wheathampstead has a slightly different onboarding and booking system to our WGC studio. So whether you’re brand new to Pilates or have lots of previous experience, please contact us to arrange a phone assessment and book your first session at Wheathampstead.

Welwyn Garden City Studio
If you’re new and have previous experience using Pilates equipment in class, you’ll need to book a 1-hour assessment/induction session so that your mobility can be individually assessed. This costs £50 and includes 1 free class, contact us for more details or to book your first session.

If you’re new, have no Pilates equipment experience and would like to start attending classes, you’ll need to book a 1-hour assessment/induction session so that your mobility can be individually assessed, and then a 1-hour Pilates basics session. The combined cost is £115 and includes 2 free classes. Contact us for more details or to book your first session.

If you’d like to book a regular spot for your 5 or 10 class sessions, please email info@thecorepilates.co.uk and we will book you in. If you’d like to attend different classes each week, you can book each individual class on Mindbody as you’ve done before.

How much does a Pilates class cost in Wheathampstead?

1 x Mat Class: £14.50
5 x Mat Classes: £72.50
10 x Mat Classes: £145

1 x Private 1-1 Session
With Slim – £60
With Helen or Liani – £50

10 x Private 1-1 Sessions
With Slim – £540 (includes 10% discount)
With Helen or Liani – £450 (includes 10% discount)

The hall in Wheathampstead has a slightly different onboarding and booking system to our WGC studio. So whether you’re brand new to Pilates or have lots of previous experience, please contact us to arrange a phone assessment and book your first session at Wheathampstead.

How much does a Pilates class cost in Welwyn Garden City?

1 x Mat Class: £14.50
5 x Mat Classes: £72.50
10 x Mat Classes: £145

1 x Equipment Class:
With Slim – £21.70
With Judy, Helen or Sue – £17.50
With Liani – £15.50

5 x Equipment Classes:
With Slim – £108.50
With Judy, Helen or Sue – £87.50
With Liani – £77.50

10 x Equipment Classes:
With Slim – £217
With Judy, Helen or Sue – £175
With Liani – £155

1 x Private 1-1 Session
With Slim – £60
With Judy, Helen or Sue – £50

10 x Private 1-1 Sessions
With Slim – £540 (includes 10% discount)
With Judy, Helen or Sue – £450 (includes 10% discount)

If you’re new and have previous experience using Pilates equipment in class, you’ll need to book a 1-hour assessment/induction session so that your mobility can be individually assessed. This costs £50 and includes 1 free class, contact us for more details or to book your first session.

If you’re new, have no Pilates equipment experience and would like to start attending classes, you’ll need to book a 1-hour assessment/induction session so that your mobility can be individually assessed, and then a 1-hour Pilates basics session. The combined cost is £115 and includes 2 free classes. Contact us for more details or to book your first session.

What should I wear?

Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing that you can easily move around in. You will be spending lots of time stretching various muscles while performing different Pilates exercises, so don’t wear anything that could restrict you. Many people wear their gym clothes or a t-shirt and shorts/leggings/jogging bottoms/yoga pants. There’s no one wandering around in crop tops, leotards or G-strings!

What time should I arrive?

Always aim to arrive 5 mins before your class starts so that you can hang up your coat, remove your shoes and leave your bag or keys in our storage area.

How do I pay?

Wheathampstead Hall
Classes can be booked individually or in blocks of 5 or 10 sessions. If you’re unable to pay for a block of 5 sessions upfront, at our discretion, you may pay for them after completing a block of 5 sessions. Please speak to your own instructor about this before your class.

We currently only accept cash payments on the day of your class.

Welwyn Garden City Studio
All classes need to be booked in blocks of 5 or 10 sessions. If you’re unable to pay for a block of 5 sessions upfront, at our discretion, you may pay for them after completing a block of 5 sessions. Please speak to your own instructor about this before your class.

We accept both cash and card payments on the day of your class.

Will you charge me if I cancel my class?

Unfortunately, due to smaller class sizes, any cancellations made less than 24-hours before your session will be charged at the full class rate.

What happens if the instructor cancels the class?

If your instructor can’t run the session, we will find a replacement instructor or, inform you in advance that the class has been cancelled.

Can I do Pilates even if I’m not flexible / size 8 / muscly / have dodgy knees / never done it before?

Absolutely! In fact, the very best thing about Pilates exercises and classes are that they’re open to everyone who wants to try them. The first step is to book an assessment session with an instructor so that they can understand your history of injuries, limitations and previous Pilates experience.

Please scroll back up to FAQ ‘How much does it cost?’ to find out more about booking an assessment. Once you’ve advanced from this initial stage, you’ll join a class full of different ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels, and each of you will work within your own abilities.

How many people are in a class?

Mat-only sessions will have a maximum of up to 10 people and equipment sessions will have a maximum of up to 7 people. This ensures that you get plenty of time and attention during the hour. Very occasionally, we may squeeze you in as an extra into a session if you’re having a particularly busy week, and can’t attend your usual class!

Do I need special footwear?

It’s recommended that you wear a comfortable pair of socks as it’s more hygienic when you move around the carpeted studio and on and off different machines. If you forget, then there’s always a clean pair waiting to be used in the studio. Some people wear socks with a slight grip underneath and others do it in bare feet, but most just have an ordinary pair of socks. All equipment is cleaned with anti-bacterial wipes at the end of each session so that it’s clean and ready to use in the next class.

Do I need to wear a mask during the session?

We don’t require you to wear a mask during the class but you can choose to do so if you feel more comfortable.

How often should I come to Pilates?

This is entirely up to you. Unless instructed otherwise by your GP, practitioner or therapist, once a week suits many people as it easily fits into their lifestyle. Others enjoy feeling the benefits so much that they come 2-3 times a week. If you have an injury you’re working on, then it may be beneficial for you to attend more than once a week however, Pilates exercises will be given to you that you can complete at home if this suits you better.

Is there any age limit for Pilates?

Once you celebrate your 14th birthday, we’d love to have you come and join a class! There’s no upper age limit, and we have a huge range of people of all ages who enjoy Pilates exercises. If you want to compete for the title of ‘most mature client’ then you need to be in your 80s..!

I’ve done mat work Pilates at the gym in a class of 30 – why are your classes so small?

While these types of classes are very popular with lots of people, mat work Pilates is a completely different experience in our studio. With groups of up to 10 people at most, small corrections can be made as and when needed throughout the hour, ensuring you all get the maximum results out of every session. 

What’s the difference between Pilates and Yoga?

While it’s true that there are some similarities between the two, there are also distinct differences. Pilates exercises focus more on core activation and good biomechanics during movements or, when holding a particular posture. Yoga tends to be more spiritual and includes continuous flowing eccentric contractions.

Is Pilates mainly for women?

Not at all! It was invented by a man, Joseph Pilates, and Pilates exercises can benefit everyone. The current split in classes is 60% women to 40% men, and almost every class has a mix of males and females in it.

How soon can I expect to see some results?

It usually takes around 8 weeks to see some changes, although it very much depends on how often you practice. Coming to one lesson a week wouldn’t be enough on its own, so you’d also need to do your recommended Pilates exercises at home every day.

Contact us

If you’ve got any other questions or would like to chat about how Pilates exercises can help you, simply call or email us.

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