Pilates for Teens: Strength & Confidence in Beecroft & Willougby | Love Pilates

Teens

Pilates for Teens

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Pilates is a low-impact, whole-body exercise method that builds strength, control, and body awareness.
For teens, it’s an especially powerful way to support growing bodies and busy minds—whether they’re already playing a lot of sport or just looking for a gentle way to get moving.

Why Pilates Is Great for Teens

Physical Benefits

  • Improved posture and alignment
    Pilates focuses on spine alignment and balanced muscle development, helping teens sit, stand, and move with better posture—especially helpful for long hours at a desk or on devices.

  • Core strength and stability
    A strong core supports the back, hips, and shoulders. This can:

    • Reduce the risk of injury

    • Improve balance and coordination

    • Make everyday activities feel easier

  • Injury prevention and safer movement
    Pilates teaches correct technique, alignment, and control. Teens learn:

    • How to move with better form in other sports and activities

    • How to engage the right muscles instead of overloading joints

    • Strategies that may help with common niggles like tight hips or sore lower backs

  • Flexibility and mobility
    Controlled stretching and dynamic movement help maintain and improve flexibility—especially important during growth spurts when muscles can feel tight and uncoordinated.

Mental and Emotional Benefits

  • Stress relief and relaxation
    Pilates incorporates mindful breathing and focused movement. This can help:

    • Reduce stress and anxiety

    • Promote a sense of calm

    • Support better sleep

  • Body awareness and confidence
    Teens learn to tune into how their bodies feel and move. Over time, this can:

    • Improve coordination and control

    • Build confidence in their physical abilities

    • Encourage a healthier, more positive relationship with their bodies

  • Focus and concentration
    Because Pilates requires attention to detail (breath, alignment, control), it can help improve:

    • Concentration

    • Mind–body connection

    • The ability to “switch off” from screens and school pressures for a while

For Sporty Teens and “Non‑Sporty” Teens

Pilates is perfect for teens - whether they are already playing sport or dancing, or looking for a way to move that they enjoy:

  • An ideal complement to sports training
    For teens who already play sports, Pilates can:

    • Build strength in stabilising muscles

    • Improve movement efficiency and power

    • Help with injury prevention and recovery

    • Support better performance in sports such as football, netball, dance, athletics, swimming, and more

  • A welcoming start for less active teens
    For teens who don’t see themselves as “sporty,” Pilates is:

    • Low-impact and joint-friendly

    • Non-competitive and supportive

    • Easily tailored to different fitness levels

    • A great way to build strength and confidence at their own pace

No matter their experience, our teen-friendly classes provide a safe, encouraging environment with clear instruction and options for all levels.

Our Teen Pilates Classes

Beecroft – Teen Reformer Course

  • What: Teen Reformer Pilates course

  • When: Monday and Thursday afternoons (runs by the school term)

  • Who: Teens who want a structured, supervised way to build strength, mobility, and control

  • Focus:

    • Learning safe technique on the reformer

    • Building full‑body strength and stability

    • Supporting both athletes and beginners

    You can check our Beecroft teen reformer course dates here.

Willoughby – Teen-Friendly Pilates mat classes

We’ve had numerous requests from mums wanting to come to class with their teens. So we are trialling a Pilates mat class on Sundays at 10am where you can bring your teen (13-16). We have a special teen rate for these classes - contact us if you are interested on hello@lovepilates.com.au.

  • Pilates Mat Class (Teens Welcome)

    • Sundays 10am - starts April 26

    • Type: Mat-based Pilates

    • Who: Teens are welcome to join this class

    • Focus: Core strength, posture, flexibility, and breath work using body weight and small props

  • Reformer Course (Subject to Demand)

    • We’d love to offer a teen reformer course at Willoughby

    • A reformer course will run if there is sufficient demand

    • If your teen is interested, please let us know so we can keep you updated

FAQs about Pilates for teens

  • Our teen Pilates options are generally designed for high school–aged teens (13+).
    If you’re unsure whether a class is right for your child, please contact us and we can help you choose the best option.

    • Teens are welcome in our teen-specific or teen-welcoming classes listed above.

    • They must be over 16 to attend our regular classes.
      For anyone under 16, please speak to us about suitable teen sessions or options.

  • No. Pilates is designed to meet your teen where they are.
    Exercises can be made gentler or more challenging, so beginners and athletes can train in the same space, each at their own level.

  • Yes, when taught by qualified instructors, Pilates is a safe and supportive way to exercise during growth.
    We focus on:

    • Correct technique

    • Age‑appropriate progressions

    • Listening to the body and working within comfortable ranges

    If your teen has an existing injury or medical condition, please let us know before they start so we can ensure they are suitable for group classes.

    • Mat Pilates uses body weight and small props on a mat. It’s great for:

      • Core strength

      • Posture

      • Flexibility and control

    • Reformer Pilates uses a spring‑loaded machine (the reformer) that adds resistance and support. It’s great for:

      • Building strength with controlled resistance

      • Supporting correct alignment

      • Providing feedback to improve technique

    Both are excellent for teens; the “best” option often depends on preference, goals, and availability.

    • Comfortable activewear they can move easily in

    • Grip socks (required - we also sell in the studio)

    • A water bottle
      We’ll provide all the equipment needed for class.

  • We expect private classes may be claimable from April 1 2026, but are waiting for guidance from the PAA. We do not yet know the full criteria for claimable sessions or which health funds will offer this.

  • Yes we offer private teen Pilates classes. If you can’t find a suitable time in our “appointments” calendar - email us on hello@lovepilates.com.au and we will do our best to facilitate a time for you.

Still got questions? Let’s chat.

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  • Pilates Reformer

    Pilates Reformer

    Pre & postnatal Reformer

    Postnatal Reformer

  • Pilates Tower

    Pilates Tower

    Pre & postnatal Tower

  • Barre

    Barre

    Barre

  • Yoga

    Yoga

    Yin Yoga

Why do I need postnatal classes?

Returning to exercise after birthing your baby is great for physical and mental health. For many mums its part of reclaiming themselves, by focusing on them - for 50 minutes, but also an opportunity to connect with other mums.

Your body has changed constantly over the last year. Our postnatal classes focus on rebuilding your body from the inside out - whilst you'll get a full body workout, we focus on rebuilding your core, safely. We also spend extra time stretching - because let's face it, mothering little people is tough on our bodies.

Our classes can help you:

  • Rebuild your core

  • Learn techniques and strategies to minimise aches and pains

  • Improve posture

  • Increase strength

  • Improve flexibility and mobility

What classes can I do?

If your baby is under 6 months old, or you are just returning to exercise after your baby (no matter how old they are!), or your physio has recommended postnatal classes, we ask you to come to our pre & postnatal, postnatal and mums and bubs classes. You can also attend yin yoga and reformer yin classes.

Who are Mums & Bubs classes for?

We know it’s difficult to get to class with a small baby, which is why we offer mum and bub Pilates and mum & bub barre classes during the week. Our mum and bub Pilates classes are aimed at mums with babies 6 weeks to 6 months - or older if they are happy to stay in a baby capsule or baby bouncer. We do have some mums attending with older babies.

Lots of our mums are worried about coming to mum and bub Pilates because they think their baby is noisy or unsettled. All babies are noisy and unsettled at some point - we know, our mums and bubs teachers are mothers, so we know there is going to be a bit of disruption and noise! Mostly the babies are pretty good and with a quick chat with the teachers and the occasional cuddle from mum, they will make it through the class. We also know they love watching feet in straps - it’s every baby’s favourite part of the class! If your baby is unsettled in a mums and bubs reformer Pilates (or tower) or barre class, you are welcome to pick them up and/or feed them.

Please note pram access for our Willoughby studio is at the rear of the building off Harris Lane (prams are to be left outside due to space limitations).

What if my baby is older?

We do have a number of mums who join postnatal classes with older babies/kids, as they have returned to class later. That’s totally ok! If your baby if too old to come to a mums & bubs friendly class, you can still attend without them or attend one our weeknight or weekend pregnancy & postnatal Pilates reformer or tower classes. We do sometimes get mums with kids 1-3, whose women’s health physio recommends they start with postnatal Pilates classes.

How long will I need mums & bubs Pilates or postnatal Pilates classes?

Everyone’s recovery is different, just like everyone’s pregnancy is different. You can discuss with your teacher after class. Some clients continue to do some mums & bubs Pilates classes even once they move to “regular” classes as they find it easier to get to class with their baby.

Worried about abdominal separation or pelvic floor?

If you’ve got concerns, we always suggest checking in with a Women’s Health Physio before coming to classes. Regardless of how your delivery went, we always recommend having a pelvic floor check with a women’s health physiotherapist at some stage after having a baby. Your physio is welcome to contact us if necessary.

Not sure who to see? Email us and we can recommend someone locally, we work with lots of physios in the area and are happy to put you in touch.

FAQs about mums & bubs Pilates and postnatal Pilates classes at Love Pilates

  • Love Pilates offers the most postnatal Pilates (and pregnancy Pilates classes) in the North Shore/Northern Suburbs. Across our Beecroft and Willoughby studios we offer 11 classes a week. (During busy periods we add extra classes.) Across our Willoughby and Beecroft studios there is a class 5 days a week that you can bring your bub along to.

    Our teachers are pregnancy trained and experienced and have been teaching pregnant clients for several years.

  • Yes we offer private postnatal Pilates classes. If you can’t find a suitable time in our “appointments” calendar - email us on hello@lovepilates.com.au and we will do our best to facilitate a time for you. You can of course still bring your bub along to a private Pilates class at Love Pilates and use one of the studio’s Baby Bjorn bouncers.

  • Yes, our pregnancy and postnatal teachers have all done additional training. This is usually a mix of in-house and external training. Most of our teachers are Pilates trained beyond reformer and are comprehensively certified. Our regular mums & bubs Pilates teachers are also mums (so you really don’t need to panic about your baby crying!).

  • We expect private classes may be claimable from April 1 2026, but are waiting for guidance from the PAA. We do not yet know the full criteria for claimable sessions or which health funds will offer this.

  • There are several restrictions such as diastasis recti, pubic dysfunction and carpal tunnel which are reasonably common and we are used to modifying for in classes. If you have concerns please contact us on hello@lovepilates.com.au to discuss whether group classes are suitable, we are also happy to talk to your physio.

  • We know moving and exercising during the postnatal period has a number of benefits physically and mentally - such as improving mobility, rebuilding strength and assisting in stress reduction. What we love most about our mums & bubs Pilates classes (and our pregnancy classes) is the community that is created. Our classes are a safe space to share and ask questions with other local mums and a great opportunity to connect with other local mums. There are many friendships formed in our pregnancy and postnatal classes, information shared on starting solids, baby swimming lessons and local daycare options!

  • Pregnancy and postnatal pilates classes take a maximum of 10 mums. Our Beecroft studio has greater capacity but we cap our class numbers at 10 to make sure our teachers can work with all our mums. We have a full set of 10 Baby Bjorn bouncers at each studio which you can use for your baby during class.

Still got questions? Let’s chat.

Let's Talk