AORA Studio
How Often Should You Do Reformer Pilates?
The honest answer, based on your goals and your life.
Last updated February 2026
The short answer: 2-3 times a week
For most people, two to three reformer pilates sessions per week is the sweet spot. This gives your body enough stimulus to adapt and strengthen, with enough recovery time between sessions for your muscles to repair.
But the real answer depends on where you are in your practice, what you're trying to achieve, and what else you do with your body during the week. There's no single number that works for everyone.
Let's break it down by experience level.
If you are just starting out
When you're new to reformer pilates, once or twice a week is plenty. Your body is learning entirely new movement patterns, and your deep stabilising muscles are waking up for what might be the first time in years.
Starting with one session per week lets you absorb the technique without overwhelming yourself. Most beginners feel muscles they didn't know they had after their first few classes. That's normal, and it means things are working.
After 3-4 weeks, if you're feeling comfortable and your body has adjusted, moving to twice a week is a natural next step. This is where the real progress begins.
Our 3-class intro pack is designed with exactly this in mind. It gives you enough sessions to get past the initial learning curve and feel the reformer start to click.
If you want to see real results
Two to three sessions per week is where most people notice visible changes. You'll start to see improved muscle tone, better posture, and increased flexibility within 4-6 weeks at this frequency.
At twice a week, your body retains what it learned in the previous session. You build on it rather than starting from scratch each time. There's a compounding effect that once-a-week sessions simply can't match.
Three times a week accelerates this further. Your movement quality improves faster, your core engagement becomes more automatic, and you'll likely notice changes in how you feel day-to-day, not just during class.
That said, more isn't always better. Three well-focused sessions will always outperform five rushed ones.
Can you do too much?
Technically, yes. Reformer pilates is low-impact, but it still places demands on your muscles and nervous system. If you're doing intense sessions five or six days a week without rest, you risk overtraining, which can lead to fatigue, stiffness, and diminished results.
Most instructors recommend at least one full rest day between sessions, especially if you're doing higher-intensity classes. Your muscles grow and adapt during recovery, not during the workout itself.
If you love moving daily, consider alternating between reformer classes and gentler movement like walking, swimming or yoga. This keeps you active without overtaxing the same muscle groups.
What about combining pilates with other exercise?
Reformer pilates pairs well with almost everything. Runners use it to prevent injuries and improve hip stability. Cyclists use it to counteract the rounded posture from hours in the saddle. Weight lifters use it for mobility and muscle balance.
If you're already active with other sports or training, one to two reformer sessions per week is a solid complement. Think of it as the maintenance work that keeps the rest of your training sustainable.
If reformer pilates is your primary form of exercise, two to three sessions gives you a balanced, full-body programme without needing to add much else.
What matters more than frequency
Consistency beats intensity every time. One session a week for six months will give you better results than three sessions a week for three weeks followed by nothing.
The people who see the biggest transformations at AORA aren't necessarily the ones who come the most often. They're the ones who show up regularly, focus during class, and give their bodies time to adapt.
Find a frequency that fits your life and stick with it. You can always add more later.
- Beginners: 1-2 sessions per week
- Building results: 2-3 sessions per week
- Experienced / cross-training: 1-2 sessions alongside other activity
- Maximum recommended: 4 sessions per week with rest days between
“The best frequency is the one you can maintain. Pilates rewards patience.”
Start with 3 classes
Our intro pack gives you the perfect taster to find your rhythm.