Group classes have their merits, but they have a structural limitation: there’s no one to correct your pelvic alignment in real time when there are ten of you in the room. The Private Pilates lessons in Cannes It fills this gap perfectly. The question is whether it suits your situation, what it actually offers compared to a group class, and how much it costs.
This guide gives you a straightforward overview, so that you can choose the right package rather than the most expensive or the cheapest one.
Who is the private tuition really aimed at?
Four types of learner benefit significantly more from this than from a group course.
The Complete Beginner
The first few weeks are crucial. If your movement pattern isn’t established properly from the start, it becomes difficult to correct later on. A few one-to-one sessions at the beginning will help you incorporate breathing, pelvic positioning and core engagement before moving on to group sessions. Our guide Pilates for beginners in Cannes provides a useful addition to this point.
A person with a specific issue
A sensitive back, limited shoulder mobility, an asymmetrical pelvis, or returning to exercise after a long break: as soon as a specific limitation is identified, the session must be structured around it. This is impossible in a standardised class. The topic of the Pilates and back pain illustrates this logic of adaptation well.
The practitioner in a hurry
A busy schedule makes the fixed timings of group classes restrictive. One-to-one sessions are tailored to your schedule, and every minute of the session is put to good use, with no waiting around or group transitions.
The athlete looking for a supplement
Golf, tennis, sailing, running: each sport creates its own imbalances. A Pilates programme specifically designed to address these imbalances requires an individual analysis of your movement, not a one-size-fits-all programme.
How does an individual follow-up session work?
The first session is not a standard class. It begins with a discussion about your medical history, any pain you may be experiencing, your current level of activity and your goals, followed by a postural assessment. This initial assessment determines where we start.
The following sessions follow a structured progression, in keeping with the method taught by Joseph Pilates and the Romana Kryzanowska’s lineage : a precise sequence of exercises, which is refined as the body adapts. What sets this apart from group sessions is the frequency of corrections. A hand on a floating rib, a two-centimetre adjustment to the bar, a breathing instruction rephrased slightly: it is these minute adjustments that make all the difference after ten sessions.
The training usually centres on the Reformer, whose springs allow the difficulty level to be adjusted with great precision. To find out more about this piece of equipment, see our comparison guide Reformer or mat.
Private, duo or trio: how to referee
The private sector isn’t always the right answer. Here’s the reasoning behind the choice.
- The Private lesson : personalised attention, a session tailored entirely to you. Ideal when starting out, if you have physical limitations, or if you want to make rapid progress within a specific timeframe.
- The one-to-one lessons : the same standard of coaching, shared between two people. Ideal with a partner, a friend or a relative of a similar ability. The cost per person is significantly lower.
- The trio lessons : the best balance between personalised support and group motivation, provided that the three participants are at a similar level.
A common and effective strategy is to start with a few one-to-one sessions to lay the foundations, then move on to group sessions of two or three once the basics have been learnt. This way, you invest where it really matters, then make the most of your budget over the long term.
How much should you budget for?
The price of a one-to-one session is, naturally, higher than that of a group class: the instructor devotes all her time and attention to you. On the other hand, the number of sessions required to achieve a specific goal is often lower, which evens things out over a term.
Packages comprising several sessions reduce the cost per session. Full details, broken down by package, can be found on the prices page.
How to choose the right instructor in Cannes
In private tuition, the quality of the instruction is the only factor that really matters. There are three criteria to check before you commit: the instructor’s qualifications and the length of their training, their claimed adherence to a recognisable teaching tradition, and their ability to explain why a particular exercise is being suggested to you rather than another.
At Studio 45, the sessions are led by Sophie Margolis, a certified instructor, in an intimate setting in the heart of Cannes. The criteria for selecting a studio are set out in our A comprehensive guide to choosing the right studio flat.
Where to start
The introductory course allows you to try out the one-to-one format with no obligation, and to check whether the teaching approach suits you. By the end of this session, you’ll know whether you need a few targeted one-to-one lessons or whether a group format will suffice.
To discuss this and arrange a time, please visit the page contact.
Further reading
- Pilates in Cannes: the complete guide to choosing the right studio
- Pilates for beginners in Cannes: where to start?
- The benefits of Pilates for the body and mind
- The fitness boom in France: my perspective as a Pilates instructor in Cannes
Frequently asked questions about private Pilates lessons in Cannes
How many private lessons does it take to get off to a good start?
Between three and five sessions are usually enough to establish the basics: breathing, pelvic alignment and core engagement. After that, moving on to pairs or trios becomes comfortable.
Are private lessons suitable for complete beginners?
It’s actually the most comfortable way to get started, as nothing is standardised and you can progress at your own pace, without having to compare yourself to the group.
Is it possible to come for a one-off private session between group classes?
Yes. Many regular practitioners book a one-to-one session from time to time to work on a specific technical aspect or to get past a sticking point in an exercise.
Does a pair lesson offer the same quality as a private lesson?
The level of supervision remains very similar, provided that both participants have a comparable level and similar objectives. If their profiles differ too greatly, private tuition is still preferable.
How do I book a private lesson in Cannes?
Start with a introductory course, or contact the studio directly via the page contact to work out the right formula.