Duration of the online course: 2 hours and 26 minutes
New
Build core strength, better posture, and flexibility with a free Pilates course online—step-by-step technique, safe progressions, and a certificate option.
In this free course, learn about
What Pilates is, its goals, and core principles (control, alignment, breath, precision).
Pilates Mat basics: originator philosophy, who it suits, and how it differs from yoga mats.
Key differences between Yoga and Pilates in intent, movement focus, and training outcomes.
Essential setup to start safely: space, mat choice, props, posture and body awareness cues.
Warm-up fundamentals: pelvic tilt, rib cage breathing/arms, marching—why they prep the body.
Wall series techniques for posture support, alignment, and squat/arm/roll-down mechanics.
Core control & trunk flexion skills: curl, half roll down, roll up, rolling like a ball, seal.
Classic ab series execution: Hundred, single/double leg stretch, criss-cross, straight leg stretch.
Teaser progression (1–4) and intermediate variations; what changes between Teaser 1 and 2.
Upper-body support strength: front support, leg pull up/down, serratus push-ups, side bends/star.
About the free online course
Improve posture, build deep core strength, and move with more control using Pilates you can practice at home. This free online course introduces Pilates from the ground up, helping you understand the method, the mindset behind it, and how to apply it safely to your body. You will start by clarifying what Pilates is and how mat work differs from similar disciplines, then use that foundation to practice with better form, confidence, and body awareness.
Instead of rushing into advanced moves, you will learn how to prepare your body with essential warm-ups and alignment cues that support your spine, pelvis, rib cage, and shoulders. You will explore the role of breathing, concentration, and precision so each repetition becomes more effective. With simple equipment and clear guidance, you can train anywhere while developing a strong technique that translates to everyday life, from standing taller to lifting and bending with less strain.
As you progress, the course guides you through classic Pilates movements and variations, building mobility, stability, and coordination over time. You will practice exercises that challenge your abdominal strength, glutes, back, and legs while emphasizing controlled tempo and balanced effort. Options and modifications are included to help you work around common tightness or limitations, making the experience approachable for beginners while still offering a satisfying pathway into intermediate and more advanced sequences.
By the end, you will have a repeatable Pilates routine and a clearer understanding of how to adjust intensity, maintain proper form, and keep your practice consistent. Whether your goal is healthier movement, stronger support for your lower back, improved flexibility, or a structured way to stay active, this course helps you turn Pilates into a sustainable habit you can keep building on.
Course content
Video class: What Is Pilates? | Pilates Workout03m
Exercise: _What is Pilates?
Video class: What Is Pilates Mat? | Pilates Workout02m
Exercise: What is the primary characteristic of Pilates Mat according to the originator's philosophy?
Video class: Can Anyone Do Pilates? | Pilates Workout04m
Exercise: Who can practice Pilates effectively?
Video class: What You Need to Get Started | Pilates Workout01m
Exercise: _What is the difference between a Pilates mat and a yoga mat?
Video class: Yoga vs. Pilates | Pilates Workout02m
Exercise: What is a key difference between Yoga and Pilates?
Video class: How to Do a Pelvic Tilt | Pilates Workout02m
Exercise: What is the purpose of the Pelvic Tilt in Pilates warm-up?
Video class: How to Do Rib Cage Arms | Pilates Workout01m
Exercise: What is the main focus of the 'rib cage/arms' Pilates exercise?
Video class: How to Do a Pilates Curl | Pilates Workout01m
Exercise: What part of the body initiates the movement in a Pilates Curl?
Video class: How to Do Rib Cage Breathing | Pilates Workout02m
Exercise: What is the primary focus of breathing in Pilates?
Video class: How to Do Marching | Pilates Workout01m
Exercise: What is the purpose of the marching warm-up exercise described?
Video class: How to Do a Wall Squat | Pilates Workout01m
Exercise: What is the proper form for performing a wall squat?
Video class: How to Do Wall Arms | Pilates Workout01m
Exercise: Which exercise involves using a wall for posture support?
Video class: How to Do a Wall Round Over | Pilates Workout02m
Exercise: _What is the purpose of the Wall series in Pilates?
Video class: How to Do Front Support | Pilates Workout02m
Exercise: What is the goal of the Front Support exercise in Pilates?
Video class: How to Do Seal | Pilates Workout01m
Exercise: What is the main difference between the seal exercise and rolling like a ball?
Video class: How to Do Teaser 1 | Pilates Workout02m
Exercise: _What is teaser one in Pilates?
Video class: How to Do a Side Kick Circle | Pilates Workout04m
Exercise: What is the primary focus of the exercise series described?
Video class: How to Do a Front 01m
Exercise: What is the focus of the side kick series front/back exercise?
Video class: How to Do an Up 01m
Exercise: In the Pilates "Up, Down" side kick exercise, what is the main focus of movement?
Video class: How to Do a Single Leg Kick | Pilates Workout01m
Exercise: What is the main focus of the Single Leg Kick exercise?
Video class: How to Do the Swan | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do the Saw | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do the Spine Stretch Forward | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do the Criss-Cross | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do Double Straight Leg Stretch | Pilates Workout02m
Exercise: _What is the modification for Double Straight Leg Stretch if you have tightness in your legs or lower back?
Video class: How to Do a Single Straight Leg Stretch | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do a Double Leg Stretch | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do a Single Leg Stretch | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do The Hundred | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do the Half Roll Down | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do a Roll Up | Pilates Workout03m
Video class: How to Do Rolling Like a Ball Exercise | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do Single Leg Circles | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do the Open Leg Rocker | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do the Corkscrew | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do a Neck Roll | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do Double Leg Kicks | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do Swimming | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do the Neck Pull | Pilates Workout03m
Video class: How to Do the Jackknife | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do the Shoulder Bridge | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do Side Kick Inside Circles | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do a Side Kick Bicycle | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do Side Kick Beats | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: Side Kick Internal 04m
Video class: How to Do Intermediate Pilates Teaser 2 | Pilates Workout01m
Exercise: _What is the difference between Teaser 1 and Teaser 2 in Pilates?
Video class: How to Do Intermediate Pilates Teaser 3 | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do the Cancan | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do Serratus Push-Ups | Pilates Workout01m
Exercise: _What is the serratus muscle?
Video class: How to Do the Mermaid | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do the Rollover | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do the Full Corkscrew | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do the Swan Dive | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do High Scissors | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do the High Bicycle | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do the Spine Twist | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do the Side Kick Hot Potato | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do the Side Kick Rond de Jambe | Pilates Workout01m
Exercise: _What does the term "ronde jambe" mean?
Video class: How to Do the Side Kick Fetal Five | Pilates Workout04m
Video class: How to Do Teaser 4 | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do Hip Circles | Pilates Workout01m
Exercise: _What is the purpose of hip circles in the advance sequence of Pilates?
Video class: How to Do the Leg Pull-Down | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do the Leg Pull-Up | Pilates Workout01m
Video class: How to Do Kneeling Side Kicks | Pilates Workout02m
Exercise: _What is the range of motion in the kneeling side kicks compared to the side kick series?
Video class: How to Do Side Bends | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do the Star | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do the Boomerang | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do Pilates Push-Ups | Pilates Workout02m
Video class: How to Do Pilates with Sarah Ruback | Pilates Workout02m
What is the difference between a Pilates mat and a yoga mat?
Pilates mats are usually thicker and denser to cushion the spine during rolling and supine exercises, while yoga mats are often thinner for balance and standing poses.
How does Pilates breathing work during mat exercises?
Pilates emphasizes controlled lateral rib-cage breathing, expanding the ribs while maintaining abdominal support and exhaling with effort.
How can I modify the Double Straight Leg Stretch for tight hamstrings or lower-back discomfort?
Keep the legs higher, bend the knees slightly, and lower them only as far as you can without arching or straining the lower back.
Ready to get started?Download the app and get started today.