Is Pilates Good for Kids? Can My Child Go to Archer Pilates?

20. Jun

Melanie Archer

aging, anxiety, Arms, Back pain, balance, breath, Cadillac, Uncategorized

Can My Child Do Pilates at Archer Pilates in Los Angeles, Culver City, or Marina del Rey?

Low-Impact, Core-Strengthening Movement for Young Bodies—Including Children with Special Needs

At Archer Pilates, serving families across Los Angeles, Culver City, and Marina del Rey, we often hear two questions from parents:

“Is Pilates good for kids?”
“Can my child take a Pilates class with me?”

The short answers?
Yes, Pilates is excellent for kids.
And yes, your child can absolutely do Pilates—with the right support and setting.

While our group Pilates classes are designed for adults and older teens (ages 16+), we offer private and semi-private Pilates sessions for children that are tailored to their specific needs—whether physical, developmental, or emotional. The child has to be a minimum of 4’8.

Whether your child lives in Marina del Rey, attends school in Culver City, or you’re commuting from anywhere in West LA, Archer Pilates provides a safe, welcoming space for kids of all abilities.

Benefits of Pilates for Kids at Archer Pilates in West Los Angeles

Our studio is grounded in the belief that movement supports whole-child development. At Archer Pilates, located near Culver City and Marina del Rey, kids benefit from a mindful approach to exercise that enhances their strength, confidence, and coordination.

1. Build Core Strength and Stability

Our Los Angeles Pilates instructors guide children through movements that build deep core strength to support posture, balance, and proper movement—essential whether your child is a dancer, athlete, or simply growing fast.

2. Improve Flexibility and Joint Mobility

Many children in Culver City and Marina del Rey, often are tight in the hips, shoulders, or hamstrings. Our kid-friendly Pilates sessions gently stretch and strengthen muscles for more mobility and less discomfort.

3. Enhance Body Awareness and Emotional Resilience

Pilates helps children understand how their body moves in space. In our supportive studio near Marina del Rey, we help young clients build not only physical coordination but also emotional regulation and confidence.

4. Support Focus, Mindfulness, and Mental Wellness

Kids in Los Angeles are busy and often overstimulated. Pilates offers a calm, grounded practice that supports attention and emotional balance—especially for children with ADHD, anxiety, or sensory sensitivities.

Why the Pilates Reformer Is a Favorite Among Kids in Culver City and Beyond

Located just minutes from Culver City and Marina del Rey, Archer Pilates is fully equipped with Reformers, Cadillacs, and Pilates Chairs that make exercise feel fun and engaging—even for kids who don’t love traditional sports.

Let’s be honest—some forms of exercise feel repetitive or boring for younger bodies. But Pilates on the Reformer is anything but dull.

The Reformer is a dynamic, spring-loaded machine that glides, resists, and supports movement in creative ways. For kids, it’s a fun, interactive tool that feels more like play than exercise. They get to lie down, push off footbars, balance on moving surfaces, use ropes and straps, and try new positions they’ve never explored before.

The Reformer adds variety, resistance, and a sense of play to every session. It:

Feels like an interactive obstacle course
Keeps kids focused and motivated
Offers gentle resistance that builds strength safely
Helps improve balance, proprioception, and posture

Whether your child lives in Venice, West LA, Playa Vista, or Mar Vista, our studio is a short drive—and worth it for high-quality, kid-centered Pilates instruction.

Pilates for Kids with Disabilities or Chronic Conditions (like JRA)

One of the most special things about Pilates is how adaptable it is. We work with kids of all physical abilities, including those who need low-impact, gentle movement options due to injury, surgery, or chronic conditions. The kid has to at least be 4’8 in height to use the Reformer.

For example:

Children with neurodivergence

Pilates offers structured, rhythmic movement that feels safe and repeatable—ideal for kids who benefit from predictability and sensory regulation.

Kids recovering from injury or managing chronic pain

Whether it’s a dance injury, scoliosis, or post-surgical rehab, Pilates offers a non-weight-bearing, therapeutic approach that restores strength without creating more strain.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)

For kids with JRA, movement can be painful—but still essential. Pilates allows them to gently work on joint mobility, core control, and muscle strength without stress on inflamed joints. Our Cadillac and Reformer equipment provide spring-based resistance and support, making it easier to move safely and build confidence.

Our instructors design sessions based on your child’s needs, offering adaptive Pilates that supports healing, strength, and emotional security. Parents from Playa del Rey to Westwood trust us with their children’s movement therapy and physical wellness.

Why Kids Don’t Join Our Group Classes

While our Los Angeles Pilates studio love having kids in the studio, our group Pilates classes are designed for adults and older teens (ages 16+). These classes often involve:

More advanced exercises using equipment like the Reformer, Chair, and Cadillac
A focus on precision and control that requires a certain level of body awareness
Adult-pace instruction and cues that may not be suitable for younger minds or bodies

To ensure safety and maximize the benefits of Pilates for our younger clients, we recommend private or semi-private sessions instead.

What We Do Recommend: Private and Semi-Private Sessions

For kids under 16 and height of 4’8—or for those with unique needs—we offer:

Private Pilates Sessions for Kids

These one-on-one sessions allow our instructors to focus entirely on your child’s needs, personality, and physical condition. We create sessions that are engaging, age-appropriate, and empowering—often incorporating games, stories, or visual cues to make learning fun.

Parent & Child Semi-Private Sessions

Looking to bond with your child while moving together? Our semi-private sessions allow a parent and child to work out side-by-side. It’s a great way to:

Share movement in a supportive space
Model healthy habits and confidence
Tailor exercises to both your fitness levels and needs
Keep it fun and personal without the pressure of a larger class

Want to work out with your child? Our semi-private parent-and-child Pilates sessions are popular among families from Culver City, Marina del Rey, and nearby neighborhoods.

Movement That Grows With Them

At Archer Pilates Los Angeles, we believe Pilates is more than exercise—it’s a life skill that helps kids feel strong, confident, and calm in their bodies.

Whether you live in Culver City, Marina del Rey, or anywhere on the Westside of LA, Archer Pilates is your local destination for: