Instruction in the Pilates method can be quite costly. These costs are justified by instructors due to their
expensive education, the cost of equipment and also the cost of studio rentals.

Sometimes a person new to Pilates will be given individual supervision until the instructor believes that the trainee has developed enough knowledge to continue his or her training in a group or a class.

Here is another less obvious drawback to consider. While Pilates can serve to tone the transverse abdominis and rectus muscles, when it is performed to often or wrongly, it can cause an over-development in the internal and external oblique muscles of the abdomen.

This usually results in a flat stomach but sometimes a wider waist. This is because a lot of the Pilates exercises are practiced through flexion while the torso moves in a linear, forward fashion.

Exercising during pregnancy has been found to be important for preventing musculoskeletal problems and for maintaining muscle strength.

When Pilates is used in pregnancy, it has been found to have many benefits both physically and mentally.

However, many exercises during pregnancy are contra-indicated. The use of Pilates when a woman is
pregnant should first meet with the approval of her doctor. Then it should only be used if one is being guided by a qualified expert.

Legal action

In recent years, the term -Pilates- came under fire and resulted in a lawsuit. However the U.S. federal court ruled that this term was generic and was free for unrestricted use.

This has caused confusion among consumers because many people do not know what Pilates really is and what credentials they should look for in an instructor.