It’s more than the Mat.
More than the Reformer.
Classical Pilates Is the Complete System of Movement.
The Classical Pilates Experience
Classical Pilates represents the most authentic and original form of the Pilates method of body conditioning, as taught by Joseph Pilates himself. While Joseph Pilates is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through a dedicated lineage of instructors who have preserved and upheld his teachings with care and respect.
The Classical Pilates method is a systematic, full-body approach that centers on activating the “Powerhouse”—a group of core muscles including the abdomen, back, glutes, hips, and pelvic floor, all of which play a critical role in supporting the spine. Exercises are performed in a precise sequence on both the Reformer and the Mat, guided by principles of dynamics, rhythm, and flow.
With over 600 unique exercises and nine original apparatuses developed by Joseph Pilates, the method is both comprehensive and highly adaptable to individual needs. Emphasizing quality over quantity, it focuses on low repetitions to build strength, endurance, and stamina while improving control and coordination throughout the body.
When practiced as initially intended, Pilates develops a strong core and conditions the entire body. Both Pilates Fit Studio locations in Louisville and Pewee Valley are fully equipped with the complete range of classical apparatus manufactured by GRATZ Industries. Joseph Pilates trusted GRATZ to maintain the integrity of his Method, and we honor that same commitment. The apparatus—especially the springs—plays a crucial role in your workout, significantly influencing how quickly you progress and see results.
Our instructors at Pilates Fit Studio have invested years in extensive training, continuously committing to their education to provide you with the most complete and authentic Pilates experience possible. Their dedication ensures that the original work created by Joseph Pilates is preserved and practiced as intended, on the original, historical apparatus.
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Classical Pilates Services
Pilates Teacher Training Program
The Only Classical Pilates Training of Its Kind in Kentucky
Pilates Fit Studio is proud to be the exclusive host studio in Kentucky for the internationally renowned Real Pilates Teacher Training Program®—a premier education system rooted in the classical method created by Joseph Pilates.
Recognized globally for its academic excellence and comprehensive curriculum, the Real Pilates® program sets the gold standard in Pilates education. With its origin in New York City, the program is known for producing instructors who embody both the integrity and depth of the original Pilates Method.
Primary (Comprehensive) Pilates Teacher Training Certification – A rigorous, full-spectrum program for aspiring teachers.
Bridge Programs – For already certified instructors seeking classical training and lineage-based education.
Continuing Education Courses – Ongoing learning to deepen practice and expand teaching expertise.
Private and Duet Pilates Training
Private sessions are the most effective way to experience the full depth and benefits of Classical Pilates. One-on-one instruction allows for tailored guidance, hands-on corrections, and a program specifically designed to meet your unique goals, needs, and body mechanics.
Each session integrates the work across all apparatus—including the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and Mat—to build a strong foundation, refine technique, and deepen your understanding of movement.
Pilates Classes
Sculpt Strength. Build Stability. Move with Purpose.
Whether you choose semi-private lessons for focused, individualized attention or opt for the high-energy rhythm of our SpringTone® classes, every session is designed to tone your entire body and build a strong, stable core.
At Pilates Fit Studio, our expert instructors will guide you through intelligent, results-driven workouts that improve posture, balance, and total-body strength, leaving you feeling powerful, aligned, and energized.
The integrity of the Method
The word “classical” gets thrown around a lot when talking about Pilates, but what exactly does it mean? How does Classical Pilates differ from contemporary renditions of the method? Let’s break it down.
Classical vs. Contemporary Pilates
What Sets Classical Pilates Apart?
Classical Pilates refers to the original method developed by Joseph Pilates, featuring a specific series of exercises performed in the exact sequence he designed. These exercises are taught using the original apparatus he created—each crafted to support a progressive, full-body system focused on achieving complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.
The Classical method is rooted in structure, precision, and flow. Movements build logically and purposefully from one to the next, creating a system that is both holistic and transformational.
Contemporary Pilates, by contrast, often incorporates modern modifications, hybrid approaches, or equipment variations. While these classes may draw inspiration from the original work, they frequently diverge from the classical order, techniques, and apparatus specifications.
At Pilates Fit Studio, we are proud to teach pure Classical Pilates—preserving the lineage, honoring the original method, and delivering its unmatched benefits through expert instruction and authentic equipment.
Certification Requirements to be a Classical Pilates Teacher
A Tradition of Excellence. A Legacy of Precision.
Becoming a certified Classical Pilates instructor requires a deep commitment to the original method and a rigorous standard of training. Aspiring teachers must complete a minimum of 600 hours of hands-on instruction, observation, practice teaching, and personal workouts—all under the mentorship of an instructor whose lineage can be traced directly back to Joseph Pilates himself.
What Does “Lineage” Mean in Pilates?
When Joseph Pilates operated his New York City studio in the early to mid-20th century, he trained a select group of individuals—including Romana Kryzanowska, Kathy Grant, Eve Gentry, and Lolita San Miguel—who later became known as the First-Generation Pilates Teachers. These protégés preserved and passed on his teachings to the Second Generation, ensuring the integrity of the method through direct transmission and mentorship.
Today, this lineage-based system serves as the cornerstone of Classical Pilates education. It preserves the original sequencing, apparatus usage, and teaching philosophy, while upholding the highest standards of excellence in the Pilates profession.
Pilates Fit Studio: Educated. Experienced. Lineage-Trained.
At Pilates Fit Studio in Louisville, our instructors have spent years immersing themselves in ongoing education, investing in rigorous, lineage-based training to ensure that every session delivers the full depth of the Pilates method as intended.
Our team is proud to train and teach on authentic GRATZ apparatus, designed to Joseph Pilates’ original specifications—equipment that plays a vital role in accelerating your progress, refining your technique, and delivering real, lasting results.
Joseph H. Pilates spent his life developing a method that brings the body into balance, strengthens the core, and restores vitality. When you experience Classical Pilates in its purest form at our studio, you’re not just doing Pilates—you’re joining a century-old legacy of movement, mastery, and transformation.
What does this mean? When Joseph Pilates ran his studio in the US, a group of individuals—Romana Kryzanowska, Kathy Grant, Lolita San Miguel, and Eve Gentry, among others—worked and trained directly under him. These individuals later became known as First-Generation Pilates instructors. After Joseph Pilates’ death, his method was taught to second-generation Pilates instructors. The lineage system helps to preserve Pilates’ original teachings so that they can be passed down to future students as accurately and canonically as possible. It also guarantees that only the highest quality of training is provided to future apprentices.
To become certified, aspiring instructors must undergo rigorous and comprehensive training and complete at least 600 hours of instruction under a teacher whose lineage can be traced back to Joseph Pilates.
The teachers at Pilates Fit Studio in Louisville have spent years investing heavily (and continue to do so) in their education to provide you with the most comprehensive Pilates experience possible. Our training has taken years of commitment and practice to preserve the original work created by Joseph Pilates as it was intended on the original and historical apparatus.
