The case for private training

Your body. Your program.
Your instructor's full attention.

Pilates was originally designed as a one-on-one practice. Joseph Pilates trained his clients individually, building programs around each person's specific body, history, and goals. That's still how private training works at McKinney Movement Center — and it's why private and duet sessions get results that group classes simply can't replicate at the same speed.

When your instructor isn't managing a room of six people, they can go deeper. They can notice the subtle compensation you've been carrying since your knee surgery, the asymmetry in your shoulder that's been causing tension headaches, the hip pattern that's limiting your golf swing. And then they can do something about it — in real time, session by session, in a program that evolves specifically for you.


Session types

Choose your format

Two-on-one
Duet Session

Two clients, one instructor. You and a partner or friend train together with programming tailored to both of you. Most of the benefits of private training at a more accessible price point — and more fun.

Best for

Couples, friends, or partners with similar goals and fitness levels. A great way to stay accountable and share the investment of personalized training.


Who benefits most

Private training is for every level

One of the most common misconceptions about private Pilates training is that it's only for beginners who need extra help or advanced clients chasing peak performance. The reality is that private sessions serve a wide range of clients — often for very different reasons.

Post-surgical & injury recovery

Our instructors are trained in Scolio Pilates and Buff Bones and work regularly alongside physical therapists. Private sessions allow for programming that is precisely calibrated to your recovery stage — building strength without risk.

Athletes with specific goals

Emily is Titleist Performance Institute certified and has trained MLB pitchers and elite athletes. Private sessions for athletes focus on the specific movement demands of their sport — rotational power, hip stability, shoulder mechanics, and injury prevention.

New to Pilates

Starting with private sessions gives you the strongest possible foundation. You'll learn the principles and your own body patterns before joining group classes — which means you'll get far more out of every group session after.

Complex health histories

Clients with osteoporosis, scoliosis, neurological conditions, or multiple areas of concern benefit enormously from private training where every aspect of the session can be adapted in real time to what your body needs that day.

Experienced practitioners

Even clients who have practiced Pilates for years often find private sessions transformative — they finally understand why certain exercises have been challenging, or discover movement patterns they didn't know they had.

Pre- & postnatal

Private sessions during and after pregnancy allow for programming that adapts week by week as your body changes. Pelvic floor work, core rebuilding, and safe return to exercise are all areas where one-on-one attention is invaluable.

"A few well-designed movements, properly performed in a balanced sequence, are worth hours of doing sloppy calisthenics or forced contortion."

— Joseph Pilates

How it works

Getting started with private training

01
Free 45-minute consultation

Every new client starts here. Your instructor will learn about your health history, movement background, goals, and any injuries or limitations. This is a conversation — no movement, no pressure. Just us getting to know your body and what it needs.

02
Your first session

Your first private session puts the consultation into action. Your instructor will introduce you to the apparatus, establish your baseline, and begin building your foundational program. You'll leave knowing exactly what you're working on and why.

03
Progressive programming

Every session builds on the last. Your instructor tracks your progress, adjusts your program as you strengthen, and introduces new challenges at the right pace. No two sessions are ever the same — and neither is any two clients' journey.

04
Flexibility to evolve

Many clients start with private sessions and transition to group classes as they build confidence and familiarity with the method. Others combine privates and group classes long-term. We'll help you find the right balance for your goals and schedule.


Client stories

What private training looks like in practice

Shannon F.
"We started with duet sessions and fell in love with it"

"I started Pilates because I had a lot of back problems and ended up having back surgery. Phil and I started out with duet sessions once a week and fell in love with it! The extreme knowledge the instructors have here is so amazing. They can look at our bodies and see when certain muscles are firing or aren't. I can't believe how strong my core is at my age."

Sahar
"I overcame shoulder pain I had been dealing with for years"

"The intentionality of the instructors here is like nowhere else. They really make sure you get what you need every time you come in. I have been able to overcome my shoulder injury and pain — something I had been dealing with for years. I'm so grateful."


Common questions

Private session FAQ

In a private session, every exercise, every cue, and every progression is designed specifically for your body. Your instructor isn't managing a room — they're watching only you, every rep of every exercise. The result is faster learning, more precise correction, and programming that responds to exactly where you are that day.
Sessions are typically 55 minutes. This gives enough time to warm up properly, work through a full program, and cool down without rushing.
Absolutely — and many of our clients do. A common approach is private sessions when you're building your foundation or working through a specific issue, combined with group classes for variety and community. Your instructor can help you find the right mix.
Yes — and it's one of the best uses of private training. Our instructors are trained in Scolio Pilates and Buff Bones and have extensive experience working with clients recovering from back surgery, joint replacements, and neurological conditions. We start with a thorough consultation and build a program that strengthens without aggravating.
We're at 7951 Collin McKinney Pkwy Suite 1575, McKinney, TX 75070 — near Craig Ranch. Free parking is available right at the studio. We serve clients from McKinney, Frisco, Plano, Allen, and across North Texas.