The best Pilates YouTube channels for beginners
By the TrueMe team · Last checked
Jessica Valant (a physical therapist) and Move With Nicole are the safest bets for beginners: clear teaching, calm pacing and hundreds of free classes. Flow with Mira is the gentlest; Yoga with Kassandra’s classical class is the most traditional.
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Eight voice-guided Wall Pilates workouts from 5 to 15 minutes, with an easier and harder version of every move. They play right here, with no ads.
- 1.Jessica ValantJessica Valant · 17:23
- 2.Move With NicoleMove With Nicole · 26:39
- 3.Flow with MiraFlow with Mira · 22:44
- 4.Lottie MurphyLottie Murphy · 20:37
- 5.Yoga with KassandraYoga with Kassandra · 28:55
- 6.SeniorShape FitnessSeniorShape Fitness · 24:32
- 7.Rachel’s Fit PilatesRachel’s Fit Pilates · 20:44
01
Jessica Valant
“Gentle Pilates - 15 Minute Pilates for Beginners Workout!” · Jessica Valant
- Length
- 17:23
- Level
- Beginner
- Position
- On the mat: lying, side-lying, face down
- You need
- A mat
- Who teaches it
- Licensed physical therapist and Pilates teacher, 25+ years · As stated on their channel.
- Who it suits
- Beginners, people coming back after a break, and women’s health topics.
- What we like
- Taught by a physical therapist, and this class is pitched at beginners and people coming back from injury. Her library runs from beginners to women over 50.
- Watch out for
- Descriptions push her paid membership, and some videos use weights.
02
Move With Nicole
“25 MIN FULL BODY PILATES WORKOUT FOR BEGINNERS (No Equipment)” · Move With Nicole
- Length
- 26:39
- Level
- Beginner
- Position
- On the mat, with a short plank section near the end
- You need
- A mat
- Who teaches it
- Certified mat and reformer Pilates instructor, yoga teacher (RYT 500) · As stated on their channel.
- Who it suits
- Beginners who want calm, longer mat classes with good cues.
- What we like
- Clean, uncluttered filming and a huge library; this beginner class has been watched more than 14 million times.
- Watch out for
- Many of her classes are 30 minutes or longer, and the intermediate ones step up quickly.
03
Flow with Mira
“Beginners Gentle Pilates Flow Mat Workout - 20 minute” · Flow with Mira
- Length
- 22:44
- Level
- Gentle
- Position
- Mostly lying, hands and knees at the end
- You need
- A mat
- Who teaches it
- BASI faculty Pilates instructor with 20+ years of clinical experience · As stated on their channel.
- Who it suits
- People with stiffness or aches, and anyone who wants a slower, therapeutic style.
- What we like
- A therapeutic style built on precision and moving without pain, as her channel describes it.
- Watch out for
- If you want a workout that leaves you out of breath, this is not it.
04
Lottie Murphy
“Everyday Pilates Fundamentals For A Healthy Body” · Lottie Murphy
- Length
- 20:37
- Level
- Beginner
- Position
- On the mat, ending in plank and downward dog
- You need
- A mat
- Who teaches it
- Pilates teacher for 13+ years · As stated on their channel.
- Who it suits
- Beginners who want to learn proper technique in short, calm classes.
- What we like
- Minimal and clear: you see every movement from the side, and the fundamentals class is a good foundation.
- Watch out for
- The last minute goes into plank and downward dog, which can be hard on wrists.
05
Yoga with Kassandra
“30 min Beginner Pilates Full Body Workout - CLASSICAL PILATES (No Equipment)” · Yoga with Kassandra
- Length
- 28:55
- Level
- Beginner, but demanding
- Position
- On the mat, standing roll-down to finish
- You need
- A mat
- Who teaches it
- Yoga teacher with a mat Pilates certification · As stated on their channel.
- Who it suits
- People curious about traditional Pilates: the classical beginner mat sequence.
- What we like
- It teaches the original sequence by name (the hundred, roll-ups, single-leg stretch and more), which is rare on YouTube.
- Watch out for
- She says it herself: beginner does not mean easy. Expect a hard ab workout, and modify roll-ups if they strain your neck.
06
SeniorShape Fitness
“Pilates for Beginners & Seniors // Feel Good Flow Workout” · SeniorShape Fitness
- Length
- 24:32
- Level
- Gentle
- Position
- Hands and knees, then lying, then seated
- You need
- A soft mat; a pillow helps
- Who teaches it
- ACE-certified fitness instructor with a senior-fitness specialization · As stated on their channel.
- Who it suits
- Older beginners, and anyone who likes standing, chair and mat options in one library.
- What we like
- Workouts for every position, including standing and chair, so you can stay with one teacher as you progress.
- Watch out for
- This flow starts on hands and knees; pick one of her standing or chair classes if that is hard.
07
Rachel’s Fit Pilates
“20 min Beginner Full Body Pilates | NO equipment | 28 Day Challenge” · Rachel’s Fit Pilates
- Length
- 20:44
- Level
- Beginner
- Position
- Lying, then hands and knees, then kneeling
- 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 like structured challenges with on-screen timers.
- What we like
- Exercise names and an interval timer on screen, and many free month-long challenges, including wall Pilates.
- Watch out for
- Weight loss is front and centre in titles, descriptions and her paid app.
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 large free library with sessions marked for beginners.
- A first video we would happily send a complete beginner to.
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