Best Pilates Classes for Beginners in Evanston & the North Shore: Where to Begin
Starting Pilates can feel intimidating. The reformer looks complicated, everyone in class seems to know exactly what they're doing, and you're not quite sure where a complete beginner is supposed to begin. Here's the good news: you're not supposed to know yet.
Engage is an equipment-based reformer studio on the North Shore (although our offerings will expand as we move into our new space), right on the Evanston/Skokie border, and we teach first-timers every single day. You don't need to be flexible, strong, or "a Pilates person" to take classes.
I like to say that Pilates is not an emergency – there's no rush, and nowhere you're supposed to already be. You just need to show up! Here's everything you need to know about getting started, and which class is the right place to begin.
Why Pilates Is a Good Place to Start
Low-impact, yet effective. Pilates is gentle on your joints while still building strength and mobility. You're moving with control and precision instead of pushing through a workout or going hard enough to be dripping in sweat. Many of our clients in the (peri)menopause age range find that the HIIT workouts don’t feel very good anymore. Pilates offers something different.
It adapts to your body. Every exercise can be modified. Tight hips, a sensitive lower back, limited mobility, pregnancy, postpartum, recovering from surgery – none of it disqualifies you (as long as your doctor signs off). We teach the bodies in front of us, which means class meets you where you actually are, not where a workout video thinks you should be.
It builds body awareness. One of the biggest things beginners get out of Pilates is learning how to move well, what good posture actually feels like, how to engage your core, and how to stop compensating with the wrong muscles. That carries straight into your other workouts and your regular day.
It works for all ages and stages. We work with people in their twenties and people in their eighties, lifelong athletes and people who haven't exercised in years. Pilates adjusts to where you are, so you're challenged at your level.
The Best Class for Complete Beginners: The ENtrance Class
If this is your very first time on a reformer, start here. The ENtrance Class is built for this exactly. We introduce the essential Pilates principles, get you comfortable with our style and flow, and move you through the reformers and the towers, using props to deepen the work as you're ready. It's the foundation every other class at Engage is built on.
If you're new to equipment-based Pilates, we recommend taking a few ENtrance Classes before branching out into our other styles. It will make future classes click much faster.
What makes it beginner-friendly:
A slower pace with clear, hands-on instruction
A maximum of six people per class, so you get consistent attention
Modifications are offered in real time, for wherever your body is that day
The foundational movements that show up in every other class on our schedule
What to expect: The reformer is a piece of equipment with a sliding carriage, springs, and straps. It looks like a lot at first. But the springs are there to support you and give your body feedback, which is what helps you feel which muscles are actually working. Most people find the reformer easier to start on than a mat, precisely because the equipment guides you into good alignment instead of leaving you to guess.
Classes run 50 minutes. Come about five minutes early so you can put your things away, silence your phone, and take a breath before we begin.
How to Get Started
We have two introductory offers to help you find your footing:
3 Group Classes for $85 (one-month window) – the simplest way to take a few ENtrance Classes and get a real feel for the studio.
3 Private Sessions for $260 (three-month window) – best if you're nervous about group classes, working around an injury, pregnant or postpartum, or you'd just like one-on-one attention before stepping into a group.
The easiest way to book either one is through our app: download Engage Pilates from the App Store or Google Play, and you can sign the waiver, buy your intro offer, and reserve your spot all in one place.
(Not sure which is right for you? Reach out and we'll point you to the right starting line.)
Once You're Comfortable: Where to Go Next
After a few ENtrance Classes, when the basics start to feel familiar, the rest of the schedule opens up:
ENgaged Open Flow — intermediate classical and contemporary reformer flows, with all the equipment and props in play.
ENlightened Teacher's Choice — the teacher picks the apparatus on the day. A little surprise, a lot of fun.
ENdurance Jump Board — low-impact cardio Pilates using the jump board on the reformer. Gets your heart rate up while staying easy on your joints.
ENpower Tower — working with the tower springs on a stable surface to build stability and strength. This is the building block for more advanced reformer work.
Reformer/Tower Combo — standing tower work, classic reformer exercises, and tower springs on the reformer, all in one class.
A few classes are best saved for once you've built a real foundation: Reformer Sculpt (faster, weights, cardio bursts), Classical Repertoire (the original order, taught the way Joseph Pilates intended), and Chair Class (a balance-and-control challenge on the EXO chair).
What About Mat Pilates?
A lot of people assume mat is the beginner-friendly entry point and the reformer is the advanced version, but that’s not exactly the case. Mat Pilates uses only your body weight, with no equipment to support or guide you, which can actually make it harder to know what you're supposed to be feeling when you're brand new. The reformer's springs and carriage give you feedback and help your body find proper alignment. That foundation is what makes everything else, mat included, more effective down the road.
With that being said, if you enjoy Mat classes like Pilates, Strength, or Stretch/Mobility classes, keep an eye out for our expansion into the new space! We’re going to be offering some new classes outside of Reformer Pilates.
Common Questions From First-Timers
Do I need to be flexible to start? No. You don't need to be flexible or "in shape" first. Flexibility/mobility is something Pilates builds over time.
What if I'm not strong enough? That's exactly why you're here. The springs can assist you when you're starting out, making movements more accessible, and we add resistance as you get stronger. Strength is what you’re working towards, so you don’t need it to begin with.
What should I wear? Comfortable clothing you can move freely in. You don't need a matching set or anything tight. Grip socks are welcome but not required. Bring a refillable water bottle; water's available at the studio.
What if I have an injury or chronic pain? We work with this all the time. Let us know before your first class so your instructor can plan, and we'll modify as needed. If you're managing something specific, starting with a private session or two is often the best way in.
I'm pregnant or recently postpartum – can I take class? Yes, in most of our classes, as long as your doctor or midwife has cleared you. Please tell us before you come so we can plan accordingly. If you're new to Pilates or have particular needs, we usually recommend starting with private sessions.
How big are classes? Six people, max. That small size is the whole point, it's how you get real attention and a safe, effective workout instead of getting lost in a room full of reformers.
When should I arrive? About five minutes early. That gives you time to park (we have a parking lot), put your things away, and settle in. It's also a chance to say hi to your instructor and let them know it's your first time.
Will I be sore? Probably the good kind. Pilates finds muscles you forgot you had. But it’s still effective even if you don’t feel sore all over.
Why Engage for Your First Class
Small classes. With a maximum of six people, you get the kind of cueing and hands-on correction (only if you're comfortable with it) that you simply can't get in a big room.
Intentional teaching. Every exercise has a reason behind it. We teach the bodies in front of us, which means you're not following a script, you're being taught.
A welcoming community. A lot of our clients walked in nervous about group classes, especially around injuries or just feeling out of place. They stayed because it doesn't feel like that here. We're just people, and you're welcome exactly as you are today.
Easy to get to, easy to park. We're at 3950 Church Street in Evanston, serving Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Kenilworth, and the wider North Shore with free parking.
Ready to Start?
The hardest part really is just showing up the first time.
Pick the intro offer that fits how you like to start: group or private.
Book an ENtrance Class (or a private session) through the Engage Pilates app.
Show up about five minutes early, barefoot or in grip socks, water bottle in hand, and tell us you're new.
We can't wait to meet you.
Engage Pilates — 3950 Church Street, Evanston, IL 60203 · Serving Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Kenilworth & the North Shore
