How much does Pilates cost in the UK in 2026?

You’re ready to try Pilates for better posture, a stronger core, or a workout that builds strength without punishing your joints. But before you book your first session, you realize that Pilates isn’t priced like a standard gym class. 

The average Pilates class cost in the UK is £10 to £90 per class, but that still depends on a number of factors. This guide breaks those down to give you a clearer picture of how much do Pilates classes cost and how to decide what makes sense for your goals and budget.

Pilates prices list by class type

Pilates pricing depends on the class format, equipment used, and how much instructor time is involved. Here’s a breakdown of Pilates costs per class type.

• Mat Pilates: A floor-based Pilates class that uses body weight and minimal equipment like bands or small balls to build core strength, posture, balance, and mobility. Average pricing sits at £10 to £25 per session, which stays lower because studios don’t need large machines or specialised setups. This option works well for beginners or anyone who wants accessible, low-impact group workouts.
  
  

• Reformer Pilates: A machine-based class using the reformer, which adds spring resistance and support to each movement for strength, control, and alignment. The average cost of Pilates reformer classes are £20 to £35+ per session, because of the equipment, smaller class sizes, and higher studio overhead. These classes suit people who want a more structured, strength-focused workout or guided support through controlled movement
  
  

• Classical Pilates: A traditional approach that closely follows Joseph Pilates’s original method and sequencing across mat and apparatus work. Pricing typically ranges from £20 to £35+ per session, due to required instructor training and smaller, technique-focused classes. This style appeals to practitioners who value precision and consistency.
  
  

• Contemporary Pilates: A modern take on Pilates that blends classical principles with functional training, barre, or hybrid movement styles. Costs usually fall between £15 to £30 per session, since many classes still use reformers or other special equipment. This format suits people who want variety while still improving core strength, posture, and overall fitness.
  
  

• Cadillac Pilates: A highly advanced class using the Cadillac (trapeze table) to support strength, flexibility, and mobility-focused exercises. Pricing commonly lands at £25 to £40+ per session, since it requires expert instructors and specific equipment. These sessions are best for experienced practitioners or those working toward certain physical goals.
  
  

• Chair Pilates: A focused apparatus class using the Pilates chair to challenge balance, stability, and targeted muscle control. Expect rates of £20 to £35 per session, similar to other equipment-based formats due to limited class sizes and higher instructor involvement. This option fits people looking for functional strength work or rehab-friendly training.
  
  

• Power Pilates: A more dynamic, fitness-forward format that blends Pilates with higher-intensity intervals on mat or reformer. Rates usually sit between £18 and £35 per class, often comparable to reformer pricing, and suit clients seeking a more energetic session.
  
  

• Barre Pilates: Combines Pilates techniques with ballet barre work using small, controlled movements to build strength and tone. Typical prices range from £15 to £30+ per class, in line with contemporary formats offered by many studios.
  
  

• Yogalates: A hybrid of Pilates and yoga focused on flexibility, breathwork, and gentle core engagement. Classes often fall at the lower end of the range, around £10 to £25 per session, making them a popular and affordable option for those wanting a slower pace.
  
  

• Clinical Pilates: A therapeutic form of Pilates delivered by or alongside physical therapy professionals, with programs tailored to injury recovery or chronic pain management. Pricing typically ranges from £45 to £90+ per session, driven by one-on-one or semi-private instruction and medical-level expertise. This is best for clients needing individual attention rather than general fitness classes.

Average Pilates costs by UK city

The average cost of Pilates classes in the UK follow a similar pattern, with higher costs in dense metro areas and wider ranges where studio options vary more. 

In big cities, group Pilates sessions commonly sit between £20 and £37 per class, while private 1:1 sessions usually start around £65 per hour and climb higher depending on the pilates instructor, studio, and class format. 

You can still get affordable Pilates in London, though. These markets also lean heavily on memberships and class packs, which can lower the effective per class cost for people attending on a regular practice schedule.

Meanwhile, regional cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow tend to land slightly lower. Group class pricing typically ranges from £15 to £30 per session, while private sessions often fall between £60 and £90+ per hour. 

The key factors that influence Pilates classes costs

Joining a group Pilates class. (Source: iStock)

Aside from wondering how much are pilates classes, you probably want to know why costs can vary so widely as well. The sections below break down the main factors that drive pricing.

Location and labour rate

Where a studio is based has a direct impact on the cost of a Pilates class. High-cost cities come with higher overhead, insurance, and equipment expenses. This pushes both group and private session rates up. 

Studios in smaller cities or suburban areas can charge less because their overhead is lower, so prices often sit closer to the national minimum.

Instructor labour rates also shape pricing. Teachers with advanced certifications, long experience, or specialised training—such as pre- and postnatal work or rehabilitation-focused Pilates—charge more because they bring deeper expertise and accountability. 

Instructors with a physiotherapy or clinical background sit at the top end of pricing, since they’re equipped to work with injuries, pain management, and specific physical needs.

Studio type and overhead costs

Studio type directly affects pricing because overhead varies by business model.

Boutique or exclusive studios sit at the top of the pricing range because they operate in high-rent locations, limit class capacity, and invest in premium equipment and amenities. Group classes in these studios commonly land around £25 to £37+ per session, while private sessions often run £60 to £90+ per hour. 

Chain gyms and franchise studios usually charge less by spreading overhead across more members. Pilates classes offered through gyms or multi-concept studios typically range from £18 to £28 per class, with memberships bringing the per-class cost down even further. These studios prioritise volume and consistency, which keeps pricing more predictable and accessible.

Independent instructors fall between these two models and offer the widest pricing range. Group sessions often cost £16 to £30 per class, while private sessions usually sit around £55 to £90+ per hour, depending on experience and setup. Teaching from shared spaces or in the client’s own home gym helps keep overhead lower, which gives instructors more flexibility in how they price sessions.

Instructor certification and experience

Working with a reformer Pilates instructor. (Source: iStock)

Instructor credentials play a big role in how much a pilates class is priced because training depth signals skill and responsibility. Instructors who are part of the Pilates Teacher Association or Pilates Foundation may charge more than those with mat-only training, since their education is longer, broader, and more expensive to complete. That added training gives clients more confidence in their technique, safety, and progression.

Experience pushes rates higher over time, especially for private sessions. Entry-level instructors often charge around £15 to £25 per class, while highly experienced or specialty teachers commonly land in the £60 to £90+ range. Even in group classes, sessions led by senior instructors tend to sit at the higher end of studio pricing.

Certain additional backgrounds also affect pricing by adding value beyond Pilates alone. Instructors with experience in personal training for women, yoga, or even just general personal training often justify higher rates because they can adapt sessions more precisely to individual goals. When you add up those personal trainer rates, Pilates sessions can reach upwards of £90+ per session.

Drop-in rates and package deals

Drop-in rates are the most flexible option, but they’re also the most expensive way to attend Pilates. Single sessions let you try a studio without commitment, but costs add up fast if you go regularly. If you’re thinking long term and you know you’ll have recurring Pilates session prices, packages almost always make more sense.

Packages and memberships may be costly at first but they lower the per-class price. Most class packs offer roughly 10–20% savings compared to drop-ins, while unlimited memberships benefit anyone attending weekly or more. Some studios also bundle Pilates with weight loss programs, dance lessons, and other similar activities, so you can stretch your budget further if you cross-train.

Here’s what it looks like for common Pilates classes:

The key is to commit to whatever fits your habit. If you attend once in a while, drop-ins keep things simple. If Pilates is part of your routine, packages reduce cost without locking you into private-session pricing.

Equipment type 

Equipment plays a direct role in Pilates pricing because it affects space, setup, and instructor demands. 

Mat-based sessions cost less since they use minimal gear and allow larger groups, which keeps overhead down. 

Reformer-based sessions cost more because the machines are expensive, take up space, and limit class size. Fewer reformers mean fewer clients per session, which pushes prices up to cover equipment investment and maintenance. These classes also require instructors trained to cue safely on moving apparatus.

Clinical or rehabilitation Pilates sits at the top of the price range. These sessions rely on special equipment and licensed professionals, often physiotherapists or clinical exercise specialists, operating within medical and insurance guidelines. The added legal responsibility, health assessments, and one-on-one focus explain why this format costs the most.

Duration and frequency of sessions

Hands-on guidance by a reformer Pilates instructor. (Source: iStock) 

Session length affects pricing because it directly changes how much instructor time and studio space are used. Standard 60-minute group classes typically cost £18 to £37+ per class, while private sessions often range from £70 to £100+ per hour. Shorter 45-minute express classes usually run cheaper at £14 to £30 per session since they require less time and allow studios to fit more bookings into the day.

Frequency shifts the prices even more. Like what we said earlier, one-time drop-in bookings are priced at the higher end because there’s no ongoing commitment. Memberships or plans reduce your average Pilates class cost per month if you attend more than once a week. 

Finding a reputable Pilates instructor and studios

A student practicing resistance exercises. (Source: iStock) 

Choosing where to take Pilates matters just as much as deciding how often you’ll go. With wide differences in teaching quality, class structure, and Pilates class prices, a bit of vetting upfront helps you get better results and avoid paying for sessions that don’t deliver. 

Check instructor qualifications and training

Look for instructors with comprehensive certifications or several hundred hours of formal training. They should be clear about where they trained and which equipment they’re qualified to teach. Strong credentials usually signal safer classes and better structure.

Match experience to your needs

If you’re dealing with injuries, pregnancy, or specific movement goals, experience matters more than price. Instructors with clinical, personal training, or physical therapy backgrounds often charge more, but they also offer deeper guidance. 

Pay attention to class size and progression

Smaller classes allow instructors to correct form and adjust exercises in real time. A reputable studio also offers clear progression from beginner to advanced levels. That setup helps you improve without jumping between studios.

Try before you commit

Most good studios offer intro classes or short trial packages. Use these to test teaching style, studio flow, and overall fit before buying a large pack or membership. It’s the easiest way to see if the pricing matches the value.

Start Pilates with expert support 

By now, it should be clearer why Pilates prices vary. Class format, equipment, session length, and instructor experience all shape the overall cost. 

But if studio timetables don’t suit you, or you want something more tailored, there’s another option that can give you more flexibility. On Airtasker, you can post a task and connect with experienced Pilates teachers offering custom sessions, including at-home personal training, so you can train where and when it works for you. 

Post a task today and connect with trusted local instructors who can help you build strength, improve mobility, and stay consistent with Pilates on your terms.