COLUMBUS + WESTERVILLE

Mat Pilates in Columbus, the PBA way.

Just you, the mat, and a whole lot of strength.

No machine required. Definitely not the easy version.

Our Mat Pilates classes in Columbus and Westerville are built around the foundations of true Pilates: control, precision, stability, strength, and a serious connection to how your body moves.

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WHY MAT PILATES?

Where your Pilates practice gets its foundation.

Without springs or a carriage assisting your movement, Mat Pilates asks you to create stability and control using your own body.

That simplicity is exactly what makes it so powerful.

You learn how to engage your core, control your movement, understand your alignment, and create strength from the inside out—skills that carry into Reformer Pilates, strength training, sports, and everyday movement.

At PBA, Mat isn't what you do until you're ready for Reformer. It's part of becoming better at everything else.

THE BENEFITS OF MAT PILATES

Simple setup. Serious work.

Build Deep Core Strength

Mat Pilates teaches you to create stability from your center without depending on equipment for support.

Develop Body Awareness

Learning to control your own body through space builds a stronger connection between what you're doing and what you're actually feeling.

Build Full-Body Strength

Your core may be at the center of Pilates, but your arms, legs, glutes, back, and stabilizing muscles are very much invited to the party.

Improve Stability + Control

Intentional, precise movement develops the stability and coordination that support everything from your Reformer practice to strength training.

Move Better Everywhere

The strength, mobility, control, and body awareness you develop on the mat don't stay there. They carry into workouts, sports, and everyday life.

MAT PILATES VS. REFORMER PILATES

Different tools.
Same standard.

One isn't “better” than the other.

Mat Pilates primarily uses your body weight and sometimes bands, weights, balls, rings, and other props to create resistance and challenge.

Reformer Pilates uses a spring-loaded apparatus to add resistance, assistance, and an entirely different movement experience.

The best Pilates practice doesn't necessarily choose one.

It understands what each can teach you.

Choose Mat if you want to:

Build foundational core strength, improve body awareness, develop control, work without relying on equipment, or add strength-focused movement to your routine.

Choose Reformer if you want to:

Train with spring resistance, explore a wider variety of movement, build full-body strength and coordination, or progress your Pilates practice on the apparatus.

Want both?

Even better. PBA offers Mat and Reformer Pilates at both studios, with All Access options for clients who want more variety in their routine.

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BEGINNER MAT PILATES

You don't have to be flexible. You just have to start.

Mat Pilates is one of our favorite places for beginners to learn the foundations of the method.

There are fewer moving parts, but don't mistake simple for easy.

Our instructors will guide you through form, breath, control, and modifications so you can understand what you're doing and why you're doing it.

Start with our signature Mat Pilates class to build your foundation, then explore more strength-focused and higher-intensity formats as your practice grows.

MAT PILATES CLASSES AT PBA

Pick your burn.

Mat Pilates at PBA isn't one-size-fits-all. Some days call for foundational work. Some days call for dumbbells. Some days call for Ass & Abs.

We support all of the above.

Mat Pilates

Our foundational class rooted in true Pilates, body awareness, control, and precision.

Best for: Core Strength, Body Awareness, Stability, Pilates Fundamentals

Mat Pilates: Full Body Flow

Intentional sequencing and balanced strength work from head to toe.

Best for: Full-Body Strength, Mobility, Endurance, Control

Mat Pilates: Ass & Abs

Bands, weights, props, glutes, core. You get the idea.

Best for: Glute Strength, Core Strength, Muscular Endurance, Conditioning

Mat Pilates: Arms & Abs

Light weights and props meet upper-body strength and serious core work.

Best for: Upper-Body Strength, Core Stability, Muscular Endurance, Conditioning

Mat Pilates: After Dark

Late-night energy, challenging flows, holds, pulses, props, and a playlist worthy of the occasion.

Best for: Full-Body Conditioning, Endurance, Strength, High-Energy Movement

Mat Sculpt & Strength

Skip the gym. Grab the dumbbells.

This is our true strength class, not traditional Pilates, with dumbbells up to 20 lbs and strength-focused programming grounded in the PBA standard of intentional movement and control.

Best for: Strength Training, Weight Training, Athletic Performance, Full-Body Conditioning

Spicy Mat Pilates

Mat Pilates turned all the way up. Expect deep muscular burn, added intensity, and plenty of control.

Best for: Advanced Mat Pilates, Muscular Endurance, Core Strength, Full-Body Conditioning

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MAT PILATES FOR STRENGTH

You don't need a machine to get strong.

Mat Pilates has a reputation for being the quieter side of Pilates.

We disagree.

Bodyweight resistance alone can challenge control, stability, and muscular endurance. Add bands, props, weights, intentional programming, and the PBA approach, and Mat becomes an important part of a strength-focused routine.

Our Mat Sculpt & Strength class takes that even further with dumbbells up to 20 lbs for clients who want the feel of strength training while staying rooted in intentional movement.

Whether you lift, run, take Reformer, play a sport, or just want to feel stronger in your everyday life, the mat deserves a spot in your week.

THE PBA APPROACH

The basics are anything but basic.

There’s a reason Mat Pilates has been part of the method from the beginning.

Learning to create strength, stability, and control with your own body gives you a foundation you can take anywhere. No machine. No complicated setup. Just really good movement and an instructor who knows how to make it count.

Find your mat at PBA.

Take Mat Pilates at either Pilates by Ashtyn studio.

Italian Village — Columbus

1146 N. 4th St.
Columbus, OH 43201

Take Mat Pilates in the heart of Columbus, conveniently located near the Short North, Victorian Village, Grandview, Downtown Columbus, and surrounding neighborhoods.

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Westerville

680 N. State St.
Westerville, OH 43082

Our Westerville studio offers dedicated Mat and Reformer spaces along with a free-weight area, treadmills, showers, and the elevated PBA studio experience.

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Mat Pilates FAQs

Is Mat Pilates good for beginners?

Yes. Our signature Mat Pilates class is beginner friendly and one of the best ways to learn foundational Pilates principles, including control, alignment, body awareness, and core engagement.

Is Mat Pilates easier than Reformer Pilates?

Not necessarily. The two formats create different challenges. On the mat, you often have to stabilize and control your body without assistance from the reformer, which can make seemingly simple movements incredibly challenging.

Should I start with Mat or Reformer Pilates?

You can start with either. Our signature Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates classes are both beginner friendly. If the reformer feels intimidating, Mat is an excellent place to begin.

Can Mat Pilates build strength?

Yes. Mat Pilates can challenge core strength, stability, control, and muscular endurance using bodyweight resistance. PBA also offers strength-focused Mat classes that incorporate weights, bands, and props for additional resistance.

Should I take Mat Pilates if I already take Reformer?

Yes, and this is something we strongly believe in at PBA. Mat Pilates challenges you to create control and stability without relying on the reformer, making it an important complement to apparatus-based Pilates.

Do you offer strength-focused Mat Pilates classes?

Yes. Mat Sculpt & Strength incorporates dumbbells up to 20 lbs and strength-focused training, while classes like Ass & Abs, Arms & Abs, and Spicy Mat incorporate additional resistance and intensity.