Pilates Girl – Private Studio in Westport, CT

Personalized Pilates Sessions

Beginner to advanced sessions in my home studio tailored to fit your goals and needs.

About Me

Pilates is both my passion and my business

Jessica has been a certified Pilates instructor since 2011. She has always been active, dabbling in everything from tennis and ice hockey to kickboxing, yoga, and paddleboarding. She has practiced Pilates for more than 20 years, but her interest was heightened as she sought to regain her core strength after childbirth. In addition to recapturing her pre-baby body, Jessica saw how Pilates improved her posture, alleviated low back pain, and even improved her skiing and tennis. A former urban planner, Jessica sought a new career that would allow her to leave corporate work behind and teach others to improve their bodies.

Jessica graduated from Haverford College with a B.A. in Political Science, and she also holds a Masters in Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. Jessica received her Pilates certification from Core Pilates NYC upon graduating from a six-month intensive training program in mat and apparatus-based Classical Pilates. She completed 400 hours of apprenticeship and observation in the training program and also received her CPR certification. She taught clients at both Equinox and Reebok Sports Club NY, before moving to Westport, CT with her family in 2013.

Jessica was named “Best Fitness Instructor” in Westport Lifestyle Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards in 2021, 2022 & 2023. In 2022, Westport Magazine selected Jessica as “Best Pilates in Westport, Weston, & Wilton”.

What is Pilates?

The Pilates Method of exercise was developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s. Originally designed as a rehabilitative practice on an exercise mat and specialized equipment, Pilates exercises target the deep muscles of the abdomen and spine to strengthen the body from the inside out in proper alignment. The goal is to achieve a balance of strength and flexibility, a balance of opposing muscle groups and better balance in the body when moving through all of life’s activities.

The six Pilates principles: Centering, Breath, Control, Flow, Precision and Concentration are essential ingredients in a high quality Pilates workout. The Pilates method has always emphasized quality over quantity, and you will find that, unlike many systems of exercise, Pilates exercises do not include a lot of repetitions for each move. Instead, doing each exercise fully, with precision, yields significant results in a shorter time than one would ever imagine. In Pilates, good form and effective body mechanics have a huge impact on how effective your Pilates workout will be.

Pilates will give you a workout routine that you will stick with because it will change your body as you challenge your mind. It is great for all fitness levels and even for those with injuries or movement restrictions.

Benefits

Significantly strengthen your core (abdominal muscles)
Build long, lean, uniformly developed muscles
Prevent or rehabilitate sports and work-related injuries
Increase flexibility and balance
Improve your posture
Alleviate back pain

A Pilates session at my home studio provides clients with guided instruction, customized to meet the specific needs of the individual. Private sessions allow for client convenience and workout regularity, insuring that nothing gets in the way of a maintaining a healthy body.

Services and Pricing

My home studio is equipped with Classical Pilates equipment including a reformer, tower, wunda chair, spine corrector, and other small props. One-on-one training sessions or small groups are available, each for 55 minutes. Duets in the studio are restricted to mat Pilates with props. Single session and 10-session packages are available. A 10-session package must be used within 6 months from the date of purchase. All appointments have a 24-hour cancellation policy. New or prospective clients must first contact me to schedule an introductory call before being registered as a client for your initial session. Registered clients can then schedule all future sessions via the Client Login self-service portal. Payment is accepted on-site at your scheduled session by cash, check, Venmo or Zelle.

Privates

$95 per session or $850 for a 10-session package. 10-session packages, which must be used within 6 months from the date of purchase, can be scheduled as a recurring day and time (i.e. every Tuesday at 10:00 am) or individually based on availability. All sessions are 55 minutes and tailored to fit your skill level, goals, and any physical limitations.

Duets

Duets cost $47.50 per person per session or $425 per person for a 10-session package with a 6-month expiration period. Duets can be scheduled as a recurring day and time or one at a time based on availability. Classes are designed to accommodate the skill and needs of both participants. Duet classes are 55 minutes.

Small group mat classes can be provided if the client provides an adequate space and participants. Contact me for more information.

Client Testimonials

"Jessica is an excellent Pilates instructor--not only is she very knowledgeable about Pilates but she is very flexible in terms of customizing a work out that's safe and appropriate for her clients. I'm stronger and straighter and in much better shape since working with her and people have noticed! I also appreciate that she cares about empowering her clients. In addition to being a patient and experienced teacher she is also a smart and lovely person and I look forward to my sessions with her."

- Carlye A.

"Best money I've spent in ages. Jessica Newshel is amazing. If you've considered Pilates or even done a class and not understood what all the fuss is about, this is the way to go. I went to Pilates Girl because I had an injury keeping me from my typical cross training classes, to check it out (skeptical of all the Pilates hype), and to learn what to focus on before trying a big class. I keep coming back to her over a year later! Game (and body) changer. "

- Gately S.

"I have worked with Jessica for several years. At age 65 when I started Pilates with Jessica, my goals were to eliminate a bad back and improve my posture and balance. After working with Jessica my core vastly improved and I have not needed chiropractic treatment The sessions were challenging but rewarding. We did exercise routines to eliminate my tendency to stoop and I now stand straight. Today I can match my age in push ups and can easily navigate uneven sidewalks. I highly recommend Jessica as a caring, experienced Pilates instructor who will help you achieve your goals."

- Roger H.

"I've been seeing Jessica once a week for over a year. I started Pilates because of a back injury and it’s honestly the only thing that has worked to manage my pain. Jessica is knowledgeable and can tailor a session to my body’s needs that day. She has a great sense of humor, is patient with beginners and knows how to push you without injury. It’s the only workout I never miss!"

- Michelle D.

"When I was pregnant with my first child I did a prenatal Pilates class in the city and loved it. Now that I'm in CT, and expecting #2, I wanted to do something similar. I couldn't find a class, but luckily stumbled across Jessica on Facebook. Working out with Jessica has been an amazing experience! She is super knowledgeable on all things Pilates (including what is and is not appropriate for pregnant women - which is not an easy task), made me feel so comfortable during the entire process, continued to cater the workouts to my growing belly and was totally flexible with my schedule (which is not an easy one). I can't wait to workout with her to get my body back into shape after my baby is born."

- Jill S.

"Working with Jessica has been wonderful. From our very first session together, she understood my level and ability and has helped me focus on my goals and my target areas. She alternates what we do which creates a nice variety and keeps things fun. She always asks how I'm feeling and makes sure that I'm taking care of myself outside of our sessions. I highly recommend her as she is very professional and very committed to the world of Pilates."

- Patricia P.

"Jessica is awesome! She is professional, super flexible (schedule wise as well as agility). She works with my individual needs and keeps every session interesting, current and pushes me to do better. She also has a very sweet personality to boot! I've done private as well as duet sessions with her. Whatever your needs are, she can customize the workout for you and I love that about her."

- Angela G.

"Jessica is a fantastic instructor! I had never attempted Pilates before and Jessica was very patient with me. I could see a real change in my abilities and strength from when I first started with Jessica. I would highly recommend her to people just starting out in Pilates to very advanced students - you can just tell that Jessica is great with all levels."

-Puja D.

"Though I'd worked out before, I was a complete neophyte to Pilates. Jessica explained things well, was very patient and made me feel very comfortable with Pilates. She is very in tune with how I was feeling on workout days and though her style is low key and casual, which I prefer, her workouts are rigorous and kick-ass. I was blissfully sore in all the right places and I've already gotten comments on my newer fitter self which was really exciting to hear."

- Andrea W.

"Working out with Jessica is great - she is a patient teacher and really helps to make sure you get the full benefits of every pilates exercise. She gives gentle guidance to demonstrate how slight adjustments in posture make a big difference in the impact of the movement."

- Stefanie F.

"After two back to back spine surgeries for herniated discs in 2019 and a pandemic move to CT in 2020, I landed on Jess’s doorstop as a bit of a mess. Within 6 months she got me on the path to a shockingly strong, more balanced and more disciplined body, and managed to do it all with grace and humor. She is an incredible balance of ease and strength, and manages to get more out of me than I imagined was possible! I can not recommend her enough as a trainer!"

- Courtney C.

" Jessica is an amazing instructor. I started with her right after having my second baby. I was extremely weak and I had pain as a result of the pregnancy. She was knowledgeable about postnatal precautions and my unique conditions. She got me back in shape and she managed to motivate and instruct a sleep deprived new mom while holding a crying newborn!"

- Jen G.

"Jessica was really able to explain where and how I should be feeling every exercise and she showed me how to make personal adjustments as needed. Even after our first session I could hear her teaching echoing in my ear as I went about my day."

- Lindsay W.

"I’m so happy to have found an excellent Pilates instructor and friend in Jessica Newshel. She came highly recommended by my physical therapist and has been a great fit for me. Jessica keeps every session fresh and different, targeting various areas I want to strengthen, stretch and tone. This has been especially crucial for strengthening my postpartum core after my second child and which helps me engage the correct muscles during daily movements with my busy children. Starting work with Jessica during the Covid era, I felt safe and at ease with her careful precautions to keeping us both safe. I look forward to our sessions every week because I feel great afterwards and enjoy her easy going company."

- Betsy A.

"Pilates Girl {Jessica} is a great instructor ... her private studio is impeccable with all the equipment and very private ... I have been doing Pilates over the years and Jessica has been my best instructor ... I'm a serious golfer who competes and she has helped me immensely and has had a very positive impact on my body feeling good in terms of strength and flexibility ... I recommend Pilates Girl for anyone seeking private Pilates classes."

- Jonathan G.

"Jess is an incredible Pilates instructor! She is beyond knowledgeable and so supportive. A true expert in her field. She has helped me grow stronger and feel more confident. I can’t recommend Jess enough!"

- Michelle Y.