Bodyweight, Floor Work, And Small Props.
Mat Pilates uses your relationship with gravity, the floor, and carefully chosen props to build control and whole-body strength.
Explore Mat PilatesPilates at Transcendent
Mat and Reformer Pilates in New Bern.
Explore Mat and Reformer Pilates through intentional, low-impact movement that develops strength, stability, coordination, posture, and body awareness.
A shared foundation
Two ways to practice Pilates.
Mat and Reformer Pilates share an emphasis on breathing, alignment, and controlled movement. Mat classes use bodyweight, the floor, and small props; Reformer classes use spring-based equipment for resistance and assistance.
Core support and whole-body integration Precision without perfectionism Progress through control and consistency
Mat or Reformer?
Choose the environment that fits your starting point.
Both can be valuable. Your goals, familiarity, preferred level of equipment support, and current class availability can guide the choice.
Spring Resistance And Equipment Feedback.
The Reformer can offer resistance, assistance, and a wide range of positions through adjustable equipment.
Explore Reformer Pilates
Mat Pilates
Build strength with the floor as your foundation.
Mat Pilates develops control through bodyweight movement and may incorporate bands, balls, rings, blocks, or other small props. The work can be adapted through position, range, tempo, and support.
Mat Pilates may suit you if you want to:
- Build core strength and whole-body coordination.
- Practice without specialized equipment.
- Improve control, posture, and movement awareness.
- Explore Pilates through Discover the Studio Experience pathway.
This practice is not a substitute for individualized medical or mental health care, physical therapy, or rehabilitation. If pain, injury, balance concerns, or a health condition may affect participation, consult an appropriate clinician and speak with your instructor or practitioner before participating.
Explore the Classes
Your Mat Pilates practice.
Check the live schedule for current dates, instructors, and availability. Review the experience guidance before booking.
Mat Pilates Class
Slow, precise movement on the mat develops core control, glute and stabilizer strength, posture, and body awareness. Breathing and attention to form guide the work; small props may add variety.
- Pace & Effort
- Low impact with controlled repetitions. Exercises can still require focused muscular effort.
- Experience
- No previous Pilates experience is required. Tell your instructor if this is your first class or you need help with floor transitions.
- Options
- Adjust your position, range, or tempo; ask for a variation and pause or rest when needed.
Reformer Pilates
Use spring resistance for support, challenge, and feedback.
The Reformer includes a moving carriage, adjustable springs, straps, and a footbar. These elements can support movement, add resistance, and create clear sensory feedback for control and alignment.
Reformer Pilates may suit you if you want to:
- Develop strength and stability with adjustable resistance.
- Learn through equipment-based feedback.
- Work in a smaller-capacity class environment.
- Complete Reformer Orientation before regularly scheduled classes.
This practice is not a substitute for individualized medical or mental health care, physical therapy, or rehabilitation. If pain, injury, balance concerns, or a health condition may affect participation, consult an appropriate clinician and speak with your instructor or practitioner before participating.
Explore the Classes
Find your Reformer class.
Check the live schedule for current dates, instructors, and availability. Review the experience guidance before booking.
All Levels Pilates Reformer Class
Explore Pilates through the Reformer’s adjustable springs, moving carriage, straps, and footbar. Guided exercises emphasize alignment, coordinated strength, breathing, and controlled movement.
- Pace & Effort
- Controlled, equipment-based movement with adjustable resistance and time to follow setup cues.
- Experience
- Complete Reformer Orientation before joining. All Levels describes the practice after orientation; it does not remove that prerequisite.
- Options
- Follow your instructor’s guidance on springs and setup, adapt your range, and ask for a variation or rest.
Sunrise Pilates Reformer
A morning Reformer practice emphasizing alignment and controlled movement. Adjustable spring resistance and instructor guidance help you explore strength, coordination, and body awareness.
- Pace & Effort
- Purposeful, controlled movement with equipment setup and transitions guided by the instructor.
- Experience
- Reformer Orientation is required. Participants of different experience levels can then choose appropriate variations.
- Options
- Ask your instructor to guide changes in resistance, positioning, or range; pause when you need more time.
Brolates
Pilates for the Bros: a Reformer class for men. Explore the equipment-based Pilates pathway with instructor guidance for controlled movement and alignment.
- Pace & Effort
- Ask the instructor about the current class sequence, pace, and level of challenge.
- Experience
- Contact us before your first Brolates class to confirm orientation requirements and fit for your experience.
- Options
- Discuss the guidance you need for equipment setup, movement variations, and a comfortable level of effort.
Advanced Pilates Reformer Class
An advanced Reformer class for members with a consistent studio practice who are ready to progress their equipment-based work. Contact the studio if you are unsure whether the class is appropriate for you.
- Pace & Effort
- Expect a more demanding practice; confirm the current sequence and pace with the instructor.
- Experience
- The published prerequisite is consistent practice at the studio for at least 10 sessions. Confirm readiness with the studio; session count alone does not establish fit.
- Options
- Continue choosing appropriate variations and a controlled range. Ask for an alternative or rest when needed.
A simple decision guide
Start with the distinction that matters most.
ConsiderationMat PilatesReformer Pilates
Environment
Mat, floor, and small props
Specialized spring-based equipment
Experience
Mat Pilates welcomes beginners; no previous experience is required.
Orientation is required for All Levels and Sunrise classes. Confirm other class prerequisites before booking.
Primary feedback
Gravity, floor, and bodyweight
Springs, carriage, straps, and apparatus
Booking capacity
Studio-class capacity
Smaller equipment-limited capacity
Your First Visit
Arrive ready to learn.
- Arrive about 10 minutes early and tell your instructor you are new.
- Wear comfortable workout clothing and bring water.
- For Reformer classes, a Reformer mat and grippy Pilates socks are required. Discover the Reformer Experience includes their use for its three classes.
- Follow instructor guidance for equipment setup and transitions. Ask questions, choose appropriate variations, and rest when needed.
Pilates questions
Choose with clarity rather than assumptions.
Is Reformer Pilates better than Mat Pilates?
No. They provide different forms of challenge, support, and feedback. The stronger choice is the one that fits your goals, experience, and preferred learning environment.
Do I need orientation before Reformer classes?
Yes. All Levels and Sunrise Reformer classes require Reformer Orientation. Discover the Reformer Experience includes one orientation class and two regularly scheduled All Levels Reformer classes. Ask us about prerequisites for Brolates or readiness for Advanced Reformer.
Do I need a strong core before starting?
No. Pilates is a way to develop strength and control. Choose an appropriate entry pathway and use the guidance and options provided.
Can I use Discover the Studio Experience for Reformer classes?
No. Mat Pilates follows Discover the Studio Experience pathway; Reformer Pilates uses the separate Discover the Reformer Experience because of its equipment and class capacity.
What should I take if I have never tried Pilates?
Choose Discover the Studio Experience for Mat Pilates or Discover the Reformer Experience for Reformer. If you are unsure which environment fits, use Help Me Choose or call/text us.
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