Wear something you can move in, arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, and bring water and a towel. No Pilates experience is required. Instructors set your resistance and walk you through the XFormer® before class starts, and everyone in the room, including you, is following the same cues from the same instructor.
Here’s the full walkthrough for a first visit to the 2nd & PCH studio, at Pacific Coast Highway and 2nd Street.
Before you book
Register for an account on the BE Fit app or website before you book your first class. This is a one time step and it’s what lets you reserve a spot, join a waitlist, and check in when you arrive.
What to wear and bring
Fitted athletic clothes work best. Loose shirts and baggy shorts can get caught on the machine’s moving parts, so something closer to what you’d wear to a spin or barre class is the right call. Grip socks are required on the XFormer and are available for purchase at check in if you don’t already own a pair.
Bring water, a small towel, and expect to sweat. The class is described as high intensity but low impact for a reason. Your heart rate climbs even though the movements themselves are slow and controlled.
Arriving at 2nd & PCH
Show up 10 to 15 minutes before your class time. That window matters more for a first class than any other, since your instructor will walk you through the machine, help you sign a liability waiver if you haven’t already, and get you settled at your station before the room gets moving. Arriving late to a first class means missing that setup, and you’ll spend the first several minutes catching up instead of learning the equipment.
The 2nd & PCH studio sits right at the intersection, and it’s the default studio for a lot of members coming from Belmont Shore, Naples, and the Peninsula. If you’re driving in from another part of Long Beach or from Seal Beach, give yourself a few extra minutes on top of the 10 to 15, since parking and traffic near PCH can vary by time of day. If your schedule runs early, the studio’s first class of the day starts at 5AM.
Note that showing up with less than 10 minutes to spare for a first class can mean getting rescheduled to a later session. It isn’t a strict policy for regulars, but for a first visit the studio holds to it, since a rushed walkthrough on an unfamiliar machine isn’t a safe way to start.
What to leave at home
Cell phones stay in the lobby during class, not on the machine or in your pocket. Pets, kids, and any guest who isn’t registered for that class also stay outside the studio. Bring a water bottle without glass, since a dropped glass bottle on the studio floor is a real hazard around bare feet and grip socks.
If you’d rather ease in with one-on-one attention before your first group class, BE Fit also offers private and semi-private sessions. That’s not a requirement, just an option if you’d prefer it. Email the studio directly to set one up.
What actually happens in class
A class runs 45 minutes. It opens with a short warm up, then moves through a series of blocks on the XFormer, mixing slow, controlled resistance work with faster cardio intervals. You’ll move through planks, lunges, and standing positions in addition to more traditional seated and lying down work, since the machine is built for full body movement rather than isolated reps.
Instructors cue modifications throughout class, not just at the start. If a movement doesn’t feel right for your body, say so. Adjusting resistance, range of motion, or the movement itself for a first timer is a normal part of every class, not a special accommodation.
After class
Expect to feel it the next day, especially through your core and legs. That soreness usually eases by your second or third visit as your body adjusts to the machine and the pacing. If you enjoyed the class, check out how often you should do reformer Pilates for a reasonable weekly schedule based on your goals before you commit to a package.
Most first timers find the second class easier to follow than the first, simply because the machine and the format aren’t new anymore. Give yourself two or three visits before deciding whether the format is for you, rather than judging the whole experience off a first class where you were still learning the setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Pilates experience before my first class?
No. Every class welcomes first timers, and instructors scale resistance and movement for anyone new to the XFormer. Arrive early enough for the walkthrough and you’ll be able to follow the class from the first block.
What if I’m not flexible?
Flexibility isn’t a requirement to start. Most positions on the XFormer can be adjusted for a smaller range of motion while you build mobility over time. Tell your instructor before class that you’re working on flexibility and they’ll cue modifications that keep you safe without holding back your effort.
Can I take a first class without registering online first?
You’ll need an account before you can book or check in, but setting one up takes a few minutes on the app or website. Do this before you drive to the studio so you’re not creating an account in the parking lot.
Ready to book your first class? Reserve a spot at the 2nd & PCH studio and arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to get set up.
