10 Pilates Terms You Should Know Before Your First Class

Jul 1

A Beginner’s Guide from Pilates Barre Lex | Pilates Lexington, KY

If you’re considering joining your first Pilates class at Pilates Barre Lex, congratulations! You’re about to experience a workout that strengthens your body from the inside out. But like any specialized practice, Pilates comes with its own terminology that can feel a bit confusing at first.

Don’t worry—our team is here to support you every step of the way. This beginner’s guide breaks down 10 key Pilates terms you’ll hear in class so you can walk in confident and walk out feeling empowered.

1. Reformer

A Pilates reformer is a specially designed machine that uses springs, a sliding carriage, and adjustable straps to provide resistance and support during your workout. You’ll find this equipment in most of our group and private reformer classes.

The beauty of the reformer is its versatility—it allows for hundreds of exercises targeting every part of the body, making it ideal for both beginners and advanced practitioners.

At Pilates Barre Lex, we offer beginner-friendly reformer classes so you can learn proper form in a safe, encouraging environment.

2. Pilates Principles

Before diving into specific exercises, it’s helpful to understand the foundational principles of Pilates. These core ideas guide how every movement is performed and are what make Pilates so effective and unique.

There are traditionally 6 Pilates Principles:

Concentration – Bringing full attention to each movement.
Control – Moving with precision rather than momentum.
Centering – Focusing movement from your core or "powerhouse."
Precision – Prioritizing quality over quantity in every exercise.
Breath – Coordinating breath with movement for better flow and strength.
Flow – Creating smooth, graceful transitions from one move to the next.

At Pilates Barre Lex, we weave these principles into every class—whether it’s your first session or your hundredth. They help you move more intentionally, prevent injury, and get the most out of your practice.

“Pilates isn’t just a workout, it’s a philosophy of mindful movement.” — Pilates Barre Lex Instructor

Understanding these principles will help you get more from each class and start building a solid Pilates foundation from day one.

3. Core

In Pilates, your core is more than just your abs. It includes your:

Rectus abdominis (your abdominal muscles)
Transversus abdominis (deep abdominal muscles)
Obliques (side abdominals)
Pelvic floor muscles
Multifidus and erector spinae (deep back muscles)
Diaphragm

You’ll often hear cues like “try to connect your ribcage to your hips” or “engage your deep core.” These help activate the stabilizing muscles that protect your spine and improve balance and posture.

4. Neutral Spine

Maintaining a neutral spine means preserving the natural curves of your back: the slight curve at the neck and lower back, with a gentle outward curve at the mid-back.

Why is this important? A neutral spine:

Promotes healthy posture
Reduces risk of injury
Supports correct form in every movement

Instructors at Pilates Barre Lex will guide you into this position at the start of class and help you maintain it during key exercises. In Pilates, we will also use imprinted spine which is a spinal position where the lower back (lumbar spine) is gently pressed into the mat or reformer carriage. This is achieved by slightly tilting the pelvis backward (posterior pelvic tilt) and engaging the deep abdominal muscles—primarily the transverse abdominis and pelvic floor.

5. Tabletop Position

This is a foundational position in Pilates. When you're lying on your back with your knees bent and lifted at 90 degrees—imagine your shins are balancing a tray of drinks—that's tabletop.

You’ll use this position frequently in core exercises. It challenges stability and allows you to safely build abdominal strength.

6. C-Curve (Flexion)

The C-curve is a rounded shape created by tucking your pelvis slightly and scooping your abdominals inward to form the shape of the letter “C” with your spine.

You’ll encounter the C-curve in exercises like roll-downs, abdominal curls, and seated balance work. It protects the lower back and deepens core engagement.

7. Breathwork

Pilates breath is different from what you might use in yoga. Instructors will often cue lateral thoracic breathing—expanding the ribcage outward rather than upward—so you can maintain abdominal engagement even while inhaling.

Why breath matters:

It helps with rhythm and control
Enhances focus and mind-body connection
Activates deep core muscles like the diaphragm

At Pilates Barre Lex, we encourage conscious breathing from the start of class to the cool-down, helping you stay grounded and energized.

8. Control

Control is one of the six original Pilates principles, and it’s at the heart of every movement we teach. Pilates isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing better.

This principle reminds us to:

Move slowly and with purpose
Engage the correct muscles
Avoid using momentum

Every instructor at PBL emphasizes proper alignment and deliberate pacing so you can move safely and efficiently.

9. Hundred

The Hundred is a classic Pilates warm-up and core-strengthening exercise. It involves:

Lying on your back with legs extended or in tabletop
Lifting your head, neck, and shoulders
Pumping your arms up and down while breathing in for five counts and out for five counts—10 cycles total = 100 pumps

It might look simple, but it’s an effective way to get your blood flowing and fire up your abdominal muscles.

10. Modifications

At Pilates Barre Lex, we believe Pilates is for every body. Our instructors offer modifications for every level—from complete beginners to those recovering from injury and progressions for those who are advanced members!

Whether it’s adjusting a spring load on the reformer or using props like blocks and bands, modifications and progressions ensure that:

You move safely
You stay challenged at your own pace
You can build strength without strain

“There’s no such thing as being too inflexible, too new, or too out of shape to start Pilates.” — Pilates Barre Lex Team

What to Expect at Pilates Barre Lex

Now that you're familiar with some of the most common Pilates terms, you’ll feel more at ease when stepping into our studio. Every class at Pilates Barre Lex is designed to help you build strength, enhance flexibility, improve posture, and feel amazing in your body.

Here’s what sets us apart: