2 min readEnhancewell
Pilates rewards precision, which means small habits make a big difference. Almost every new student makes a few of the same mistakes. The good news: they're easy to fix once you know what to look for.
1. Going Too Fast
Speed hides weakness. When you rush, momentum does the work your muscles should be doing, especially on the reformer, where springs can whip the carriage back if you don't control it.
The fix: Slow down, especially on the return. Aim for the same smooth control in both directions.
2. Holding Your Breath
When an exercise gets hard, many people stop breathing without realizing it. That adds tension and makes everything harder.
The fix: Follow your instructor's breathing cues. If you lose track, just keep breathing steadily. Any breath is better than no breath.
3. Gripping Instead of Engaging
"Engage your core" is often heard as "clench everything." Gripping your abdominals, neck and jaw makes movement stiff and can strain your neck in exercises like the Hundred.
The fix: Think of your deep core as a gentle, supportive corset rather than a crunch. Keep your jaw and shoulders soft.
4. Chasing Range Over Control
It's tempting to stretch further or lift higher than you can control. In Pilates, a smaller movement done well beats a big one done sloppily.
The fix: Work in the range where you can keep your alignment. It will grow over time.
5. Skipping the Basics
Advanced exercises look exciting, and beginners often want to get to them fast. But advanced work is built on fundamentals: breath, pelvic placement, ribcage control and shoulder stability.
The fix: Treat the basics as the real workout. Even experienced students come back to them constantly.
Bonus: Comparing Yourself to Others
Everyone's body, history and starting point is different. The only comparison that matters is with how you moved last month.
Get Expert Eyes on Your Practice
Most of these mistakes are hard to spot on your own. A private Pilates session gives you an instructor's full attention, so small habits get caught early and your practice builds on solid ground. Book a session at our Union Square studio.