Finding a place to work out in the Springs usually involves a lot of chatter about hiking the Incline or hitting the trails at Cheyenne Mountain. But honestly, if you're looking to actually fix that nagging lower back pain or finally understand what "core strength" feels like without doing a thousand crunches, you end up at Sun Pilates Colorado Springs.
People think Pilates is just stretching on a fancy bed. It isn't. It's intense.
Sun Pilates has been tucked away on South 8th Street for a while now, specifically inside the Great Moves Physical Therapy building. That location choice isn't accidental. There is a deep, almost nerdy focus on biomechanics here that you won’t find at a big-box gym where the music is so loud you can’t hear your own thoughts.
The Vibe vs. The Reality
Most newcomers walk into a studio expecting a spa. Sun Pilates feels more like a workshop for the human body. You’ve got these massive, intimidating pieces of equipment—the Reformer, the Cadillac, the Wunda Chair—that look like they belong in a medieval history museum rather than a fitness center.
But here’s the thing.
The instructors, like Inger, Katharine, or Meghan, aren't there to yell at you. They’re basically body mechanics. They watch how your hip rotates or how your shoulders hunch when you’re tired. They catch the tiny cheats your body makes to avoid hard work.
One common misconception is that you need to be flexible to start. Total lie. Being stiff is actually the best reason to walk through the door. If you can't touch your toes, the springs on the Reformer provide the resistance you need to safely find that range of motion. It's about control, not contortion.
What Sets Sun Pilates Apart in the Springs?
Colorado Springs is saturated with "boutique fitness." You can’t throw a rock without hitting a yoga studio or a CrossFit box. So why do people stay loyal to Sun Pilates?
- The Physical Therapy Connection: Being located within Great Moves means there’s a bridge between rehab and fitness. A lot of clients are people who finished physical therapy for a knee or back injury and realized they didn't want to go back to "normal" lifting yet.
- Small Class Sizes: You aren't a face in a crowd of thirty. Most sessions are small enough that the instructor knows your name, your injury history, and exactly which exercises make you want to quit (in a good way).
- The "Apprentice" Option: Pilates can be expensive. We all know it. Sun Pilates offers apprentice-taught classes, which are significantly cheaper. These are instructors finishing their certification through programs like Pilates SOL. It’s a win-win: they get hours, you get a $15 or $20 class.
The Equipment is the Secret Sauce
If you’ve only ever done "Mat Pilates" at the YMCA or through a YouTube video, you’re missing 75% of the experience. The equipment at Sun Pilates uses springs for resistance.
Unlike weights, where the resistance is constant, springs get harder the further you stretch them. This mimics how your muscles actually work.
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The Reformer is the workhorse. You’re on a sliding carriage, using your arms or legs to pull against the springs. It forces you to stabilize your spine while your limbs are moving. It’s a weird sensation. You feel muscles in your pelvic floor and deep abdominals that you didn't know existed.
Then there’s the Cadillac. It looks like a four-poster bed with fuzzy handcuffs. It’s actually incredible for spinal decompression. If you sit at a desk all day in an office off Briargate or Downtown, thirty minutes on the Cadillac will make you feel two inches taller.
Why the "Sun" Approach Works
There’s a specific philosophy here that focuses on the "Six Principles" of Joseph Pilates: Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath, and Flow.
It sounds a bit "woo-woo," but in practice, it’s just physics.
Take Breath. Most of us hold our breath when we do something hard. In Pilates, you learn to use the exhale to engage the deep transverse abdominis. It’s the difference between just "sucking it in" and actually supporting your internal organs.
Then there’s Precision. At Sun Pilates, they’d rather you do five repetitions perfectly than fifty repetitions with "okay" form. It’s frustrating at first. You want to move fast. You want to sweat. But when you slow down, you realize that moving slowly is actually ten times harder.
Addressing the Price Tag
Let’s be real: Pilates is an investment. A private session can run you $70 to $90. Even group reformer classes aren't "cheap" compared to a $10-a-month Planet Fitness membership.
But you have to look at the long-term math.
Chronic back pain or a repetitive use injury from running trails can cost thousands in doctor visits, MRIs, and lost time. Sun Pilates is basically preventative maintenance. Many regulars find that by going twice a week, they save money on chiropractic adjustments or massages because their body isn't constantly "locking up" anymore.
If you're budget-conscious, look for their "New Client" specials. They almost always have a 3-pack of private sessions for around $210 or a free first mat class. It's the best way to see if the style of teaching clicks with you before you commit to a full package.
Next Steps for Beginners
If you’re ready to actually try this, don't just show up for a class.
- Call or Text First: Since they don't have a constant front desk staff (the instructors are usually teaching), it’s better to reach out via their website or the Sun Pilates app.
- Start with a Private: Even if you’ve done Pilates elsewhere, every studio's equipment is slightly different. One or two private sessions will teach you how to set the springs and move the carriage without feeling like a klutz in a group setting.
- Wear Grip Socks: You don't want your feet sliding around on the wooden bars. Most studios require them for safety and hygiene.
- Consistency is King: You won't see a "Pilates body" in three sessions. You’ll feel a difference in your posture after one, but the real change happens around the 10 to 15-class mark.
Sun Pilates Colorado Springs isn't about being the "best" in the room. It’s about being better than you were when you walked in. Whether you're a high-level athlete at the Olympic Training Center looking for an edge or a grandmother wanting to keep up with her grandkids, the goal is the same: move better, feel better.