Curious About Pilates? This 4-Week Beginner Series Is the Perfect Place to Start

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Donny Lindell, Pilates Instructor at Rivercity PilatesHave you ever been curious about Pilates… but unsure where to begin?

Maybe you’ve watched a class and thought, That looks interesting… but I’m not sure I’d know what I’m doing.    Or maybe you’ve taken equipment sessions and quietly wondered if mat work might feel intimidating.    You are not alone.

In fact, that’s exactly why we created this 4-week Beginner Pilates Mat Small Group series.

Why a 4-Week Series?

Because learning something new takes time.

This series is intentionally designed to move at a calm, unrushed pace so you can actually feel what you’re doing and build confidence week to week. When you come consistently, your body begins to recognize the movements. Things that felt unfamiliar start to make sense.

Instead of trying a single class and deciding Pilates “isn’t for you,” you give yourself space to learn.

And that changes everything.

What You’ll Learn

Over the four weeks, Donny will guide you step-by-step and offer options for every body — no flexibility, strength, or coordination required beforehand.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Support your joints instead of compressing into them
  • Engage your core without gripping or tension
  • Adjust movements so Pilates fits your body
  • Move with more awareness and confidence

Pilates isn’t about performing. It’s about understanding.

“Is Mat Harder Than Equipment?”

This is one of the most common concerns we hear.

Many people are surprised that mat work can feel intimidating at first — even longtime clients. Cindy (who shared her story as one of our Inspirations of the Month) once avoided mat because she didn’t feel confident working without the equipment.

What she discovered — and what many others discover — is that mat isn’t harder.

It’s simply a different way to understand your body.

And when you’re in a small group where everyone is learning together, it becomes empowering instead of intimidating.

A Supportive Environment to Learn

This series isn’t about keeping up.
It isn’t about being flexible.
It isn’t about “getting it right.”

  • It’s about showing up.
  • It’s about practicing movements that help you support your body better in everyday life.
  • And it’s about learning in a space where options are always offered and questions are welcome.

The Details

🗓 Starts Friday, March 6th
⏰ 10:00 AM
💜 $99 for the full 4-week series

You can also use any Pilates Mat, Yoga, Strength, or Balance package to pay for the series.

Can’t make every date? No worries — you can make up a session.

If you’ve wondered whether Pilates is right for you, this is the place to find out.

Just come as you are. We’ll take it from there. 💜

3 Reasons to try small group sessions at Rivercity Pilates!

Are you one of those people who has a membership at an exercise facility, but you dread going there? There are a lot of different methods of exercise, and sometimes the reason we dislike exercise, is that we don’t enjoy the method of exercise we are doing.

For instance, I’ve had a client tell me that they joined a strength training class, because they wanted to be stronger, but they’re not sure that the classes are working because they don’t feel positive results. Sometimes they even injure themselves because they’re one person in a group of 20 or 30.

Other clients have various reasons for lapses in commitment to fitness – but many times it is simply that they don’t enjoy the class, or they don’t feel comfortable in the facility.

Here are 3 reasons why I know that you will love our small group sessions at Rivercity Pilates.

  • Your instructor will get to know you and your body.  In a small group setting an instructor can really get to know you, where you need to work, what motivates you and how to help you get the most out of your workouts (aka results).  This makes for a very efficient workout. Let’s face it, we are all crazy busy these days and want to maximize our time!
  • The most effective workout is the one you do.  Making yourself accountable to a certain time, an instructor and classmates is a great way to keep you on track!
  • Safety….  A trained instructor can make sure they are challenging you but also making exercises safe for your body.  One size does not fit all when it comes to movement and it’s important to have instructors who recognize and implement this!  If you injure yourself you will be less likely to stick with your program.

So what are you waiting for?  Call us today and ask us if we have a small group session that you might fit in with!

NEW PILATES TOWER CLASS

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New Monday 11 am Pilates small group equipment session with Shiho!

Ready to create a regular Pilates practice in your life?  Need the accountability of coming to the studio?   

Shiho is now offering small group Pilates Tower sessions Monday’s at 11 am, Wednesdays at 9 am and Thursdays at 5:30 pm. 


The Pilates tower system uses a system of springs attached to various handles bars and specialized attachments to support and challenge your body giving you a whole body workout that is super effective!   The Pilates tower is a favorite of our clients who are just starting a Pilates practice because the springs assist you and even though it is assisting you — you are still working at a level that is perfect for progressing your strength and mobility!


Small group sessions are limited to 4 participants and often fill quickly.  Schedule in Mindbody under appointments or simply email us and we can get you scheduled!

Sign up for Pilates Tower

Simple, consistent movement has made a difference in my life!

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Carey Sadler, Owner of Riercity Pilates.

I often get asked what my Pilates practice looks like.  As a studio owner I have access to all the toys and all the Pilates equipment but I have to tell you the Pilates Mat exercises are the bread and butter of my Pilates practice!

Over the years I have found personally that keeping my movement practice consistent is the key to me feeling great and the Pilates Mat exercises are easy for me to get in no matter where I am and with very little “extra stuff” needed.

In the morning when I wake up I start my day with a 15 minute meditation and then practice a simple Pilates Mat routine.  I also get in workouts on the Pilates equipment and I play and move a lot when I’m at the studio but my Pilates Mat practice…is really my thing!  I love that whether I’m at home or traveling I can always find time and space to get my Pilates practice in!

If you are looking for guidance on learning the Pilates Mat exercises and creating a practice in your life I want to encourage you to try one of our in studio small group sessions…you might just create a movement practice that you can continue for the rest of your life!

Schedule a session Sunday’s at 5pm, Wednesdays at 8 am or Thursday at 4:30 pm!

Rivercity Pilates In Studio Small Group Session schedule in North Liberty, Iowa.

NEW! 4 Week Beginner Friendly Arms & Abs Pilates

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Kimberly is excited to be offering her Arms & Abs Pilates Mat Class as a 4 week in studio series in February, Wednesdays at 6 pm! We love a session theme and Arms and Abs has been a favorite among clients over the years!

Looking for a workout that improves your core strength and specifically strengthens your upper body? 

This 4 week beginner friendly Pilates series will practice Pilates Mat exercises with a special focus on strengthening your core muscles and improving your arm and shoulder strength Pilates style!

This small group session will be 5 clients maximum.  Sign up now to snag a spot and get our early bird discount!! Early Bird Discounts ends on January 15th!  ( save $15 with the early bird pricing!)

You’ll get to use a variety of props to support and challenge you.

As always at Rivercity Pilates you’ll feel comfortable working at your level and you’ll feel comfortable asking Kimberly questions about what you are doing.  

4 weeks for only $89

Brand new to the studio?  Take a complimentary private session with Kimberly to get introduced to the studio, get introduced to Pilates and learn more about opportunities to work with Kimberly and the rest of our Rivercity Pilates staff!  Kimberly has openings on Monday January 15, January 22nd or January 29th at 7 pm. Click here to schedule.  

If you need to miss a week…no worries! You can make-up your missed session in any other group session on our schedule. Already have a Pilates Mat Session Package? You can use any Pilates Mat, Strength or Yoga Package for this series!

Purchase the 4 Week Series

Can 1 session a week make a difference?

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Do you have 1 hour a week you could dedicate to yourself?

We live in a society that has conditioned us to think that if we can’t be at the gym 5 days a week, commit to 3 Pilates sessions a week or practice Yoga daily then it’s probably just not worth it.. This is the biggest lie you could tell yourself!  

Pilates sessions at RIvercity Pilates

In fact as a movement teacher for 25 years I can tell you that I would much rather see someone start adding in 1 movement session a week versus 3 or 4 because the people that add in a once a week session usually create a habit of movement in their life that they actually stick with.  

Probably the biggest “secret” to success when it comes to movement and exercise to create results(like improved strength, less pain, more ease in your movements..)  is consistency!!

If you are waiting to start moving more until you have time for 2, 3 or 4 sessions a week it could be a year or two from now before you actually start!!

I promise that one session a week will help you build strength, mobility and just plain feel better in your body!  I am so confident in that statement that if you decide to add a weekly session in and after 10 sessions you don’t feel better in your body...we’ll refund all of your sessions!

Email me and I can help you find a weekly session!