The best free Pilates challenges on YouTube
By the TrueMe team · Last checked
For a short, physio-led start, try Jessica Valant’s 10 in 10 challenge: ten workouts of about ten minutes. For a month-long wall plan, Rachel’s Fit Pilates 28-day wall challenge is the best-known free option.
Start with ours
Our free 28-day Wall Pilates challenge
Every day plays right here with voice coaching, from 8 to 15 minutes, with a recovery day each week. Your progress is saved in your browser, and there is a printable calendar.
01
10 in 10 Pilates Challenge, Jessica Valant
“Pilates for Beginners - 10 Minute Pilates Workout!” · Jessica Valant
- Length
- 10:59
- Level
- Beginner
- Position
- On the mat: lying, side-lying and seated
- You need
- A mat
- Who teaches it
- Licensed physical therapist and Pilates teacher, 25+ years · As stated on their channel.
- Who it suits
- Beginners who want a short challenge with expert teaching.
- What we like
- Day 1 teaches the basics of Pilates in ten minutes, and every session in the series stays short.
- Watch out for
- Mat only, with no standing work. Take a rest day between sessions if you need one.
02
28 Day Wall Pilates Challenge, Rachel’s Fit Pilates
“Wall Pilates Beginner Workout | 28 Day Wall Pilates Challenge- Day 1” · Rachel’s Fit Pilates
- Length
- 14:33
- Level
- Beginner
- Position
- Day 1 is lying with your feet on the wall
- You need
- A wall and a mat
- Who teaches it
- Degrees in kinesiology and occupational therapy, plus Pilates training · As stated on their channel.
- Who it suits
- People who want a month of wall Pilates with a set video for each day.
- What we like
- One of the best-known free wall challenges on YouTube (day 1 alone has over 5 million views), with a video for every day in one playlist.
- Watch out for
- The free calendar asks for your email. The channel frames workouts around weight loss and promotes a paid app.
03
15-Day Better Balance Program, Yes2Next
“Start Here: Gentle Balance Exercises for Better Stability (Day 1)” · Yes2Next
- Length
- 14:26
- Level
- Gentle
- Position
- Every move shown seated and standing
- You need
- A sturdy chair
- Who teaches it
- ACE-certified personal trainer and yoga teacher, teaching with her mother · As stated on their channel.
- Who it suits
- Over-50s and seniors who want steadier balance.
- What we like
- One instructor sits and one stands for every move, so you choose your version on the spot. A countdown timer and a free checklist help you keep going.
- Watch out for
- Most days reuse videos from their library rather than new ones; only days 1, 8 and 15 are new.
04
28 Day Beginner Pilates Challenge, Rachel’s Fit Pilates
“Beginner Pilates for Weight Loss & Strength 28 Day Challenge Day 1” · Rachel’s Fit Pilates
- Length
- 17:28
- Level
- Beginner
- Position
- On the mat: lying and side-lying, hands and knees at the end
- You need
- A mat
- Who teaches it
- Degrees in kinesiology and occupational therapy, plus Pilates training · As stated on their channel.
- Who it suits
- People who prefer mat Pilates to the wall and like a timer on screen.
- What we like
- Each exercise is named on screen with an interval timer, so you never count reps.
- Watch out for
- The title and channel lean heavily on weight loss. Pilates builds strength; on its own it is not a weight-loss plan.
How we chose these
- Free to watch on YouTube, and the creator allows it to be played on other sites.
- Taught by someone who states a teaching or clinical background on their channel.
- Clear enough to follow at home without a teacher watching.
- No promise of fast weight loss or of treating a medical condition.
- A complete series you can follow day by day for free.
- We left out the many challenges sold on weight loss or “toning” a body part.
Credentials are as each creator states them on their own channel. We don’t verify them independently. Nobody pays to be listed, and we don’t earn anything from these links. Videos load from YouTube in privacy-enhanced mode, and only when you press play. Until then you see the video’s thumbnail.