Beginner’s Guide to Pilates in Melbourne & Why It’s Not Overrated

Approved by your neighbourhood health and wellness enthusiast.

Think Pilates Is Overrated? Think Again.

If you think Pilates is overrated, too slow, or too “feminine,” trust me — I used to think the same. But after doing Pilates three times a week across different studios in Melbourne, I can confidently say this: Pilates is one of the most effective, body-changing and surprisingly intense workouts you can do — and it’s absolutely not just for women.

I studio-hop depending on the vibe I want that day. Some days I crave calm, control, and proper form. Other days, I want to sweat, shake, and challenge myself.

And when I’m feeling brave, I book a Lagree class and walk out with jelly legs and a new personality.

If you’re a beginner, here’s something you should know upfront: the shaking is normal — and actually a good thing! It means your deep stabiliser muscles are working, your core is firing, and your body is getting stronger from the inside out.

This beginner’s guide blends my personal experiences with the best beginner-friendly studios in Melbourne — the ones that taught me how to move better, breathe better, and discover muscles I didn’t know existed. Whether you’re new, nervous, or curious, Melbourne has a Pilates space that will welcome you in.

Understanding Pilates: The Workout Your Body Has Been Asking For

Pilates is often misunderstood as slow or easy, but in reality, it’s one of the most intelligently structured full-body workouts. Unlike high-impact gym training, Pilates strengthens your entire body from within — improving mobility, posture, balance, and muscle endurance.

Here’s your quick beginner breakdown:

Mat Pilates – The foundation of it all.

You’ll use your body weight, props, and breath control to activate deep core muscles. Mat is perfect for true beginners or anyone wanting to build strength that translates into everyday movement.

Reformer Pilates – The famous machine everyone knows.

Using springs, pulleys, and sliding platforms, reformer Pilates targets your stabilisers in a way no other workout can. It’s low-impact, deceptively challenging, and yes — this is where the shaking happens.

Lagree – The extreme cousin.

Continuous movements, almost no breaks, ultra-slow tempo, megaformer machine.

Lagree is high intensity, low impact, and will humble you quickly — in the best way.

Shaking is a good sign!

Your muscles are working at 100%.
You’re strengthening areas you’ve never activated before.
Your stabilisers are finally waking up.
Shaking = progress, deeper muscle engagement, and future-toned self in progress…

No matter which type you choose, Pilates will strengthen, lengthen, and realign your body — and Melbourne has studios perfect for all levels.

1. Beginner-Friendly Studios in Melbourne (My Top Picks)

If there’s one thing Pilates taught me quickly, it’s that posture and alignment matter — a lot. Get it right, and you feel strong. Get it wrong, and you feel it the next day in places you didn’t know had muscles. These are the beginner-friendly studios I trust, and the ones I rotate between weekly depending on my vibe, my energy, and how spicy I want the shaking to be.

Villa Pilates — Best for True Beginners

Level 1/231 Queensberry St, Carlton VIC 3053 | 2/322 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Instagram: @villapilates_au

My “I need a gentle reset” studio

Villa Pilates is where I recommend first-timers or those who are afraid to start. The moment you walk in, there’s a comforting warmth that feels more like a cozy home than a workout space. The classes are slower, more intentional, and beautifully beginner-friendly (cute decor too!).

The instructors pay incredibly close attention to form (which is EVERYTHING in Pilates). They’ll quietly adjust your feet, your hips, your spine — little corrections that change the entire feel of a movement. And as someone who moves between different studios weekly, I can always feel the difference in my body after a Villa class: smoother, more aligned, less tense.

Every session ends with a mindful cool-down — stretches, breathwork, gentle mobility — so you walk out relaxed rather than wrecked. If Pilates intimidates you, or you simply need a safe space to reconnect with your body, Villa is your soft landing.

Aleenta Health Club — Clear Cues & Calm Vibes

4/555 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Instagram: @aleenta.club

My “I want to feel taken care of” studio

Aleenta is where I go when I want structure, precision, and the feeling of being truly guided. Their instructors offer some of the clearest, cleanest cues I’ve ever heard. They break down movements slowly, layer progressions thoughtfully, and always explain what muscle each movement is targeting — something beginners appreciate so much.

The vibe is calm, nurturing, and beautifully feminine without excluding anyone. The smaller studio spaces make it less overwhelming, and the class energy feels grounded rather than competitive. What I appreciate most is how safe Aleenta feels. They never rush you through transitions. They never assume you already know the movement. They honour beginners, which is rare. There’s a bonus meditation cool-down session at the end of every class, leaving you feeling like a brand new person when you walk out of the studio.

If you’re new to Pilates or returning after an injury or a break, Aleenta is one of the best places to build a strong, intelligent foundation.

Together, Villa and Aleenta are my top two for learning Pilates the right way.

2. High-Energy Studios for People Who Want to Push Themselves

RISE Pilates — Fast, Upbeat & Motivating

128 Peel St, North Melbourne VIC 3051

Instagram: @rise.northmelbourne

My “I want to sweat and be pushed” studio

RISE is the complete opposite of slow and gentle. This is where you go when you want a proper workout. Classes are big, upbeat, fast-paced, and structured like a reformer bootcamp, including weights, props, pulses, and everything.

Expect:

You come in, get it done, and leave feeling unstoppable.

3. For the Brave Ones: Lagree in Melbourne

MegaMode — The Shakiest Workout in the City

Level 1/43 Hardware Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000

Instagram: @megamode_

My “I want to be humbled” studio

If you want challenge and intensity without the impact, Megamode’s Lagree classes are the place to go. Lagree is not traditional Pilates — it’s high-intensity, low-impact, and designed to test your limits in the best possible way. The megaformer machine demands slow, continuous movement with almost zero rest, which means the shaking starts almost instantly.

Expect to shake. A lot.

Your legs, your core, your soul — everything will burn.

But the results? Totally worth it.

Lagree builds endurance, strength, and control at a pace that surprises even regular gym-goers, and you walk out feeling accomplished, powerful, and slightly amazed at what your body just did.

This is the studio I book when I’m craving a serious challenge, even the lighting and music motivate you — the deep, delicious kind of burn that stays with you for days. The instructors are upbeat, supportive, and extremely precise with their cues, because Lagree relies heavily on slow, safe, intentional form.

Megamode is fast, fiery, and transformative. If you want intensity without running, jumping, or high impact — and you want to leave the studio with jelly legs and a whole new respect for your strength — this is where you go.

4. Mat Pilates Classic

CorePlus — Highly Rated & Community-Loved

493-495 Queensberry St, North Melbourne VIC 3051

Instagram: @coreplus_studios

My “I want classic Pilates without machines” recommendation

CorePlus is my go-to when I crave the simplicity of mat Pilates — just me, my body, and the movement. Their mat classes are highly rated across Melbourne, known for their friendly instructors, strong sequencing, and warm community vibe.

Held in slightly heated rooms, classes offer the perfect balance of sweat and technique. The movements are layered intelligently, guiding beginners into deeper core activation without feeling overwhelmed. And unlike the reformer, mat Pilates forces you to focus on control, breath, and alignment — the foundations of all Pilates practice.

For beginners, CorePlus is supportive, accessible, and refreshingly uncomplicated. You walk out feeling taller, stronger, and grounded.

Practical Tips: Your First Pilates Class (Every Beginner Must-Know)

Arrive early so you can get comfortable with the machine.
Wear grippy socks(non-negotiable for reformer + Lagree).
Tell your instructor you’re new — they will look out for you.
Expect to shake and don’t panic — it’s a good sign.
Move slowly, not quickly — control matters.
Focus on your breathing — it makes every movement easier.
Hydrate afterward — you’ll be surprised how hard your muscles work.

Remember: no one in the room is judging you. Everyone started exactly where you are!

Why Pilates Stayed in My Life

Pilates isn’t just a workout for me — it’s a weekly reset. Some days it’s my slow-grounding therapy. Other days it’s my intense, shake-until-I-laugh workout. It’s also an activity that I would bring my friends and family along with.

Switching studios depending on my mood keeps it fun and sustainable. Melbourne’s Pilates scene is diverse enough that you can find a class to match exactly how your body and mind feel that day.

If you’re a beginner, know this: you don’t need strength, flexibility, or coordination to start. You just need curiosity and a willingness to feel the burn in muscles you didn’t know existed.

Once you try it, you’ll understand why people return for more!

FAQ

Is Pilates good for beginners?

Absolutely! Pilates is low-impact, safe, and incredibly beginner-friendly. Studios like Villa Pilates and Aleenta Health Club specialise in guiding newcomers.

Is Pilates suitable for men?

Of course. Pilates strengthens stabiliser muscles, improves mobility, and prevents injury — many male athletes rely on it.

What’s the difference between reformer, mat, and Lagree?

Mat uses bodyweight, reformer uses a spring-based machine, Lagree uses a megaformer for high-intensity continuous movement.

Why do people shake during Pilates?

Because your deep stabiliser muscles are fully activated — shaking is a sign of good form and proper engagement.

How often should beginners do Pilates?

1-2 times weekly is perfect for progress without burnout.