Your questions, answered.
Practical answers about your first class, booking, prices and visiting the studio.
Getting started.
No. Choose the Beginners Course, Reformer & Tower or Open Reformer. Your instructor will explain the equipment and exercises. Dynamic Reformer is for clients with experience. You can also learn the basics in a private session.
No to both. The spring resistance adjusts to any starting point and the machine supports you through every movement. Flexibility is something Reformer Pilates builds, not something it requires. Plenty of people at this studio started in their 60s and 70s.
The first class feels unfamiliar rather than hard. There is a machine, there are springs, there is a lot to take in. Start with Reformer & Tower or Open Reformer, both all levels, and it will make sense quickly. Dynamic Reformer is better once you have a few sessions behind you.
Fitted, comfortable workout clothes you can move in. Avoid anything very loose, it can catch in the springs. Grip socks are required, and you can buy a pair at the studio. Ask at reception if you need a pair.
Tell your instructor it is your first time and mention any injuries. They will set you up on your Reformer, explain the machine, and coach you through every exercise. Around 50 minutes. There is time to ask questions as you learn. Read the full first-timer guide on our beginners page.
How it works.
Reformer Pilates uses a spring resistance machine called a Reformer to guide the body through controlled movements that build core strength, improve posture, and increase flexibility. The springs support you and resist you at the same time, which is why it works for complete beginners and experienced movers alike.
Mat Pilates uses your bodyweight. The Reformer adds spring resistance and a moving carriage, which means more support when you need it and more challenge when you are ready. Most people find the Reformer more effective and more interesting, especially for building strength.
Many clients come two to three times a week, and our 8-class pack is the most popular. Once a week is an option too. Choose a routine you can keep up.
Most people feel different after three or four classes: taller, steadier, more aware of their body. Visible changes in strength and posture usually come over a couple of months of regular classes. Changes take regular practice and vary from person to person.
Reformer Pilates focuses on strength, posture and controlled movement. It is not high-intensity cardio. If weight loss is your main goal, consider how classes fit into your wider exercise routine.
Yes, and more every year. A good share of our clients are men, many of them golfers working on rotation, hip stability, and a back that lets them keep playing. Read our guide on Pilates for golfers if that is you.
Health and body.
In most cases, yes. It builds the core strength and postural awareness that underlie most back pain, and movements can be modified around your back on the day. Tell your instructor before class. If you are in an acute flare or have an unstable injury, talk to your doctor first, then talk to us.
Often, yes, and sometimes a private session is the smarter starting point: same method, built entirely around what your body can currently do. Our founder holds a Polestar Pilates Diploma, a qualification grounded in rehabilitation science. Tell us about your needs before booking so we can discuss a suitable starting point.
Sometimes, with your doctor's blessing and an instructor who knows. Please tell us before booking so we can advise properly and modify safely, or suggest a private session if that is the better route.
No. Reformer Pilates is one of the most age-appropriate forms of strength training there is, and it is a big part of who we teach. Age is a reason to start, not a reason not to.
Booking, prices and practical things.
A single class is €30 (valid 14 days). Packs bring that down: 4 classes €112, 8 classes €208, 12 classes €264 (120-day validity). Private 1 to 1 sessions with Filipe are €60, duets €100, and a private group class gives you the whole studio for your own group (price on enquiry).
Online through Momence, our booking system, it takes about two minutes. Or WhatsApp +351 925 382 409 and we will sort it for you. No membership needed for anything.
We run morning classes throughout the week, selected evening sessions and a four-week Beginners Course. See the live timetable on the classes page for current times and availability.
Classes are taught in English. Some classes are held in both English and Portuguese. Instructors coach each person individually during class, so whichever language you are most comfortable in, you will not get lost. If you want to check a specific class, send us a WhatsApp.
All classes are 50 minutes, including private 1:1 sessions.
Cancel at least 24 hours before your class starts. With less than 24 hours' notice, the class is lost.
Book and pay online by card through Momence. Bank transfer, MBWay and cash are also possible, just message us on WhatsApp first to arrange it.
Yes. The studio has disabled access and a disabled toilet.
Yes, there is a shower at the studio.
Inside Edificio Doza, Av. 5 de Outubro 143, Almancil, in the middle of the Golden Triangle: about ten minutes from Quinta do Lago and Loulé, ten to twelve from Vale do Lobo, fifteen from Vilamoura. Park at the Pingo Doce car park, three minutes on foot.
Yes, and please do. A single class is €30 with no membership or commitment, and a 14-day validity that suits a holiday perfectly. We wrote a whole visitor's guide covering what to book and what to bring.
Beyond the classes.
Yes. Private 1 to 1 sessions with Filipe are €60 with Filipe for 50 minutes, and duets for two people are €100. Book through the calendar on our private sessions page, or contact us to discuss availability.
Still wondering something?
Ask us directly. WhatsApp is usually the fastest way to get an answer.