What is a Pilates class plan? It is the written outline of one class: every exercise in the order you teach it, split into warm-up, main part and cool-down, with reps and timing. On the reformer it also lists the spring setting for each exercise. A good plan has the starting position and a few cues too, so you can teach straight from it.
That's the short answer. Below you'll find what belongs in a plan, how to build one in four phases, and a real 50-minute example you can look at in full.
What Goes Into a Pilates Class Plan?
A list of exercise names is an idea list, not a plan. A plan you can actually teach from has these parts:
| Part | What it answers |
|---|---|
| Phases and timing | How long is the warm-up, the main part, the cool-down? |
| Exercise order | What comes next, and why at this point? |
| Springs (reformer) | Which setting, and when does it change? |
| Reps | How many, so the time adds up? |
| Starting position | Where does everyone start, in one sentence? |
| Cues | What do I say so the group gets it? |
| Options | What's the easier version for newer clients? |
If one of these is missing, you fill the gap live in front of the group. That's exactly the moment you don't want to be thinking.
How Do You Build One in Four Phases?
Every good plan follows the same arc, whatever the length:
- Arrival and warm-up (about a quarter of the time). Breathing, leg work, spine mobility. Light springs. The reformer warm-up exercises walk you through four phases.
- Main part with one theme (about half). Pick one focus, for example glutes and core, and build towards it. Group exercises with the same spring setting.
- Integration (a few minutes). One exercise that pulls the theme together.
- Cool-down (about a fifth). Stretch, slow down, finish on time.
How long each block takes in a 45, 50 or 60-minute class is in how long a Pilates class is. For the reasoning behind the structure, see how to structure a Pilates class.
A Real Example: 50-Minute Beginner Reformer Class
Here is the outline of a real plan, Reformer for Beginners: Ball Basics. It's one of our two free plans, so you can open the full version with cues and teaching mode.
| Phase | Exercise | Springs | Reps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm-up | Breathing | 1× medium | 6–8 deep breaths |
| Warm-up | Donkey Kick, Fire Hydrant & Lunge with Ball | no spring | 8–10 per variation |
| Main | Glute Bridge with Ball | 2× medium | 8–10, then squeezes and pulses |
| Main | Crunch in Tabletop with Ball | 2× medium | 8–10 per variation |
| Main | Short Strap Arms & Legs with Ball | 1× medium | 8–10 per variation |
| Main | Box Lunge with Scooter | 1× light | 6–8 per variation |
| Main | Seated Twist with Ball at the Footbar | 1× light | 6–8 per variation |
| Main | Kneeling Arm Flow with Shortloops & Ball | 1× light | 8–10 per variation |
| Main | Kneeling Ball Push at the Footbar | 1× light | 6–8 |
| Main | Forearm Plank on the Box | 1× light | 6–8, then hold 10 sec |
| Main | Kneeling Side Plank with Thread the Needle | 1× light | 6–8 |
| Main | Elbow Slide on the Carriage | 1× light | 6–8 |
| Cool-down | Roll out & stretch | – | 30–45 sec per position |
Notice the spring logic: the heavier springs come early, then the class stays on one light spring. That keeps set-up changes to a minimum, so the group isn't waiting.
Write Your Own or Use a Ready-Made Plan?
Both work. Writing your own builds your eye for sequencing, and the free reformer class plan template saves you the blank page. A ready-made plan saves the 45 to 60 minutes of planning and still leaves room to adapt it to your group. Most instructors mix both.
For a side-by-side look at costs, see where to get reformer class plans. To see more finished examples, there's the reformer class plan example and the beginner reformer class plan.
Want a plan you can teach tonight?
Pilates Plans gives you ready-made reformer class plans — two full plans free, more with a membership.
→ Get the free plan
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Pilates class plan?
A Pilates class plan is the written outline of one class: the exercises in teaching order, grouped into warm-up, main part and cool-down, with reps, timing and, on the reformer, the spring setting for each exercise. A good plan also includes the starting position and a few cues, so you can teach from it without guessing.
How many exercises are in a Pilates class plan?
For a 50 to 60-minute class, usually 14 to 22 exercises: 4 to 6 in the warm-up, 8 to 12 in the main part and 2 to 4 in the cool-down. Side changes count as part of the same exercise, not as new ones.
Is there a free Pilates class plan I can use?
Yes. Pilates Plans has two complete 50-minute reformer class plans for free, one beginner and one intermediate, with springs, reps, cues and a teaching mode. There is also a free printable template if you would rather write your own.
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