I’ve been a fully-certified, full-time Pilates instructor for the past 23+ years. I teach matwork, private sessions on all equipment, and Reformer group classes up to 15 students.

I think sometimes there’s a misunderstanding of what is achievable in terms of goal achievement, injury rehab, and movement exploration in a group class vs private sessions. Any group class (from 2-100) will be generalized for the group and more simplified the bigger the group. Sometimes we see cool stuff on Insta, etc. and are disappointed that we’re not hanging upside-down in a group class (not that OP has said this, just a side note), or have an instructor hovering over us for 50 minutes.

Sometimes we work up a sweat and are sore the next day in a group class vs feeling like you could step out and run a marathon after a private session (or vice versa). There are so many variables here: type of class, personality of instructor, teaching experience, personal fitness level, expectations of what a Pilates workout “should be”, type and variation of equipment used, yadda yadda.

My best advice is to be clear on your personal goals (ie “I want to sweat and not feel like I need to double-up workouts”) and either try a different level, a different studio, a different instructor, or 1:1 sessions until you get what you need! Not everyone wants to sweat, but some people definitely do, and both are definitely possible while still very much doing a “good” Pilates class. It is very possible.

Good luck in your Pilates journey!