Classical vs Contemporary Pilates & Why We Blend Both at Pilates House Lemont

You may have heard the terms classical Pilates and contemporary Pilates and wondered what the difference is.

What Is Classical Pilates?

Classical Pilates follows the original system created by Joseph Pilates. It adheres closely to the traditional exercise order, specific transitions, and foundational principles he designed.

Classical Pilates emphasizes:

• Precision

• Control

• Breath

• Flow

• A structured sequence

• Deep core activation

What Is Contemporary Pilates?

Contemporary Pilates evolved from the classical system but incorporates modern research in:

• Biomechanics

• Physical therapy

• Injury rehabilitation

• Prenatal & postpartum care

• Athletic performance

It allows us more flexibility to adapt exercises, modify our sequencing, and tailor programming to your individual needs.

Why We Blend Both

At Pilates House Lemont, we are a small-group studio (just six reformers), which means we know our clients. We know the shoulder injury. The pregnancy trimester. The postpartum recovery. The marathon training cycle.

A purely classical approach can be powerful — but it doesn’t always account for modern bodies and modern lifestyles.

A purely contemporary approach can be creative — but without the grounding principles of the original method, something can feel lost.

So we blend them.

Classical Foundation Gives You:

• Strong technical form

• Consistent progressions

• Respect for the integrity of the method

• Deep core strength from the inside out

Contemporary Influence Allows Us To:

• Modify safely for injuries

• Support pregnancy and postpartum recovery

• Incorporate props and updated cueing strategies

• Program intelligently for longevity