Since launching New York Pilates in 2013, co-founder Heather Andersen has helped redefine the modern Pilates experience, bringing a fresh, high-energy approach to a method she had been teaching and refining for years. With a deep understanding of the practice and a commitment to form-focused, intentional movement, Heather has built a brand that makes Pilates both accessible and effective for all levels.
New York Pilates has become a staple of the Hamptons wellness scene, with five locations across the East End offering consistently packed classes throughout the season. Known for its signature Abs Arms Ass total-body workout class, and a strong sense of community, the brand continues to attract both newcomers and longtime clients looking to build strength, improve alignment, and stay connected to their bodies.
Whether you’re stepping onto a reformer for the first time or looking to deepen your practice, Heather Andersen shares her top Pilates tips for getting the most out of every class, and why booking a session is a great place to start.
What advice would you give to someone looking to deepen or advance their Pilates practice?
HA: My advice for someone looking to deepen their practice is to focus on alignment and start paying more attention to what you feel than what you see.
The more advanced you get, the less Pilates is about what the movement looks like and the more it’s about how you’re actually working in your body. That’s where the real shift happens. Less ego, more awareness. Less pushing, more precision.
At a certain point, it’s not about doing more reps or harder variations. It’s about more control, better form, and a deeper connection to the work.
Do you have a favorite go-to Pilates movement or exercise, and why?
HA: My favorite go-to Pilates movement is a glute bridge. I love it. It feels like a spine massage and a glute workout at the same time, which is kind of ideal. It’s simple, but when it’s done well, it works so deeply. My back always feels amazing after, and my glutes do too.
What are some simple ways people can incorporate Pilates principles into their daily routine outside the studio?
HA: My advice for bringing Pilates into daily life is to start small and make it practical. Use your breath. Engage your core when you’re lifting something heavy. Keep your spine neutral. Stand a little taller. Walk with more intention. Pilates doesn’t have to live only in the studio. It can show up in how you carry yourself, how you move through the city, how you support your body in everyday life. It’s not about doing more, it’s about being more aware.
Beyond Pilates, are there any general wellness habits you recommend for maintaining strength, balance, and overall well-being?
HA: My biggest wellness habit is eating in a way that supports balanced blood sugar. High protein, low sugar, lots of fiber. It sounds simple, but it changes everything.
And honestly, managing stress and staying grounded is just as important. That one is huge. You can be doing everything right, but if your nervous system is off, you feel it.
Your energy, your mood, your hormones, all of it is connected. When you fuel your body well and keep yourself grounded, everything else works better.
What are your top 5 Pilates tips for someone just getting started?
HA: My top 5 Pilates tips are:
1. Focus on your breath. If you’re not breathing, you’re not really doing Pilates. Breath is what connects you to the movement and gives you power.
2. Stay in the baseline version of each exercise before trying to level up. It’s not about doing the hardest variation, it’s about doing it well.
3. Go with a friend if you can. It makes it more fun, keeps you accountable, and helps you stick with it.
4. Be consistent. Real strength is cumulative. You do not need to destroy yourself in every class to get results.
5. And finally, be patient. Pilates is something you learn over time. It clicks, and when it does, you’re in.
To learn more about New York Pilates and book a class in one of their five Hamptons locations, click here.
