{"id":334,"date":"2023-08-29T13:00:50","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T13:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/?p=334"},"modified":"2025-11-18T16:17:01","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T16:17:01","slug":"dynamic-vs-classic-pilates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/reformer-pilates-vs-classical-pilates","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the difference between Dynamic Reformer Pilates &#038; Classical Pilates? And why do both?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2>What is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/services\/personal-training\/pilates-1-1-sessions\">Classical Pilates<\/a>?<\/h2>\n<p>Originally named Contrology by Joseph Pilates, it only became known as Pilates after his death. It drew on elements from a number of disciplines and, in his hands, was a challenging and demanding discipline.<\/p>\n<p>Controlology\u2019s key aims were:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To stretch, strengthen and balance the musculoskeletal system<\/li>\n<li>To improve postural alignment<\/li>\n<li>Focus on breath control \u2013 particularly through the abdominals<\/li>\n<li>To strengthen the abdominals and stabilise the pelvis, spine and shoulder girdle<\/li>\n<li>To increase muscular flexibility and joint mobility<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Joseph\u2019s clients were typically strong and fit, body aware and well co-ordinated \u2013 many were dancers. As a result, he could train their bodies as a whole system, rather than isolating specific muscles or muscle groups. However, his focus was less on repetition than on perfection of the movement, so there was no aerobic element to his programme.<\/p>\n<p>After Joseph\u2019s death, and in the hands of new generations of teachers, his system evolved.\u00a0It became slower paced, less challenging and less intense as\u00a0Pilates\u00a0adapted to a population without the strength or body control of Joseph\u2019s original clients. With today\u2019s more sedentary population, there is often more focus on postural correction, muscle isolation and re-educating muscle patterns, and also a greater rehab element.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;25492&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;40px&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2>OK, so what\u2019s Ten\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/services\/pilates\">Dynamic Reformer Pilates<\/a>?<\/h2>\n<p>As the name suggests only the Pilates reformer is used (a wider range of equipment is available in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/services\/personal-training\/pilates-1-1-sessions\">Classical Pilates<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>In some ways we\u2019ve returned to Joseph\u2019s original Controlology approach \u2013 we\u2019re open-minded on the benefits of different disciplines, we\u2019re focused on good posture through all movements, and we integrate full body movements into our classes.<\/p>\n<p>But in other ways, we\u2019ve also moved quite a long way forward. We have adapted the original Contrology method for the 21st\u00a0century by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Increasing the dynamic flow of the exercises<\/li>\n<li>Adopting an \u2018isolate, activate, integrate\u2019 approach \u2013 so we work a muscle group in isolation first to make sure it\u2019s \u2018firing\u2019 correctly, before making it work alongside other muscle groups in a compound movement (squat, lunge, rotation, overhead press etc)<\/li>\n<li>Increasing the number of repetitions and level of exertion. By working the muscles to fatigue we grow stronger and adapt faster, and by building strength we can then work harder<\/li>\n<li>Focusing more on neutral spine to reduce the risk of posture-related injury<\/li>\n<li>Adding aspects of weights and circuit training into the sessions to increase the heart rate and challenge the body further.<\/li>\n<li>Making sets longer with less resting time, to add an aerobic component and increase stamina<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;25137&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;40px&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2>Why should you practice both disciplines?<\/h2>\n<p>Variety is always a benefit in exercise. It\u2019s always good to keep the body \u2018guessing\u2019. Bringing in exercises and movements that we\u2019re less familiar or comfortable with challenges us more &#8211; both mentally and physically \u2013 than continually repeating the same routines. So we progress faster and further as a result.<\/p>\n<p>While there are differences between both disciplines in terms of overall approach, exercises performed, pace, intensity and sequencing, the disciplines are complimentary; each improves the ability to do the other.<\/p>\n<h3>If you\u2019re already doing Dynamic Reformer Pilates<\/h3>\n<p>Because <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/services\/personal-training\/pilates-1-1-sessions\">Classical Pilates<\/a> is generally slower paced, with a more limited repertoire of exercises and smaller classes, you can focus more precisely on specific techniques than is possible in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/services\/pilates\">Dynamic Reformer Pilates<\/a> class. (And you\u2019ll reap the benefits in your Reformer classes afterwards.)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/services\/personal-training\/pilates-1-1-sessions\">Classical Pilates<\/a> brings in a wider range of equipment (including the tower, Cadillac, wunda chair and ladder barrel) and with them, a new repertoire of exercises, that will add variety and challenge your body in new ways.<\/p>\n<h3>If you\u2019re already doing Classical Pilates<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/services\/pilates\">Dynamic Reformer Pilates<\/a> places more emphasis on developing proprioception and balance. It also brings a more fluid class \u2018flow\u2019 and a wider range of exercises, and therefore a more varied workout.<\/p>\n<p>Classes are more dynamic, with one exercise flowing into the next, rather than what can be quite a stop-start approach.<\/p>\n<p>Classes are also more intense and challenging \u2013 with an emphasis on \u2018time under tension\u2019 you\u2019ll do more repetitions per exercise, with greater levels of physical intensity and less resting time between exercises. By raising the heart rate and working the muscles to fatigue, you\u2019ll see faster increases in strength and muscular endurance along with cardiovascular benefit.<\/p>\n<h3>If you\u2019re new to both<\/h3>\n<p>The combination of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/services\/pilates\">Dynamic Reformer<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/services\/personal-training\/pilates-1-1-sessions\">Classical Pilates<\/a> will give you a really solid platform to build on \u2013 you\u2019ll improve in all areas including technique, control, balance, flexibility, strength and stamina as your Pilates practice develops.<\/p>\n<p>The combination will keep your workouts varied and challenging, helping improve motivation and consistency (both key to any successful exercise regime).<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll develop good movement patterns \u2013 efficiently, powerful and effective \u2013 that will not only improve your performance in other sports, as well as in your daily life, and you\u2019ll reduce the risk of injury.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Both Classic and Dynamic Pilates are designed to readdress the body\u2019s natural balance through controlled movements. But Dynamic Pilates goes much further.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":25502,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,101],"tags":[178,179],"class_list":["post-334","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-pilates","tag-classical-pilates","tag-dynamic-reformer-pilates"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Dynamic Reformer Pilates vs Classical Pilates Guide | Ten<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Read our guide on the key differences between Dynamic Reformer &amp; Classical Pilates, how they complement each other, &amp; why both are beneficial for your fitness.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/reformer-pilates-vs-classical-pilates\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Dynamic Reformer Pilates vs Classical Pilates Guide | Ten\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Read our guide on the key differences between Dynamic Reformer &amp; Classical Pilates, how they complement each other, &amp; why both are beneficial for your fitness.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/reformer-pilates-vs-classical-pilates\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Ten Health &amp; Fitness\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/facebook.com\/pages\/TenPilates\/181187291162\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-08-29T13:00:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-11-18T16:17:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/dynamic-vs-classic-pilates.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Justin Rogers\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@TenPilates\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@TenPilates\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Justin Rogers\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/reformer-pilates-vs-classical-pilates\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/reformer-pilates-vs-classical-pilates\",\"name\":\"Dynamic Reformer Pilates vs Classical Pilates Guide | Ten\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/reformer-pilates-vs-classical-pilates#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/reformer-pilates-vs-classical-pilates#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/dynamic-vs-classic-pilates.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-08-29T13:00:50+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-18T16:17:01+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/1e067b892c378700dd9f640a00c17357\"},\"description\":\"Read our guide on the key differences between Dynamic Reformer & Classical Pilates, how they complement each other, & why both are beneficial for your fitness.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/reformer-pilates-vs-classical-pilates#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/reformer-pilates-vs-classical-pilates\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/reformer-pilates-vs-classical-pilates#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/dynamic-vs-classic-pilates.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/dynamic-vs-classic-pilates.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/reformer-pilates-vs-classical-pilates#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.ten.co.uk\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"What\u2019s the difference between Dynamic Reformer Pilates &#038; Classical Pilates? 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