Pilates Elephants

Raphael Bender
  • 4.7 (157)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Pilates Elephants

We get to grips with new research, teaching strategies, and social issues around Pilates and Pilates teaching. This is 100% authentic, unscripted, real talk about everything Pilates. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    308. What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do, with Natalie Wilson & Raphael Bender

    Not sure what to do when a client shares a diagnosis with you at the start of class? Here’s the simple framework to stay calm, take action, and lead like a pro. Summary: Raphael and Natalie break down simple, actionable strategies for Pilates instructors when faced with unknown client conditions moments before class. Learn how to stay calm, ask the right questions, simplify your programming, and empower clients without overcomplicating. Key Takeaways: Let go of being the “expert fixer”Ask: “When did it start?” and “How did it happen?”Teach simple, layered exercises (think In-N-Out Burger style)Focus on strength, range, and control — not diagnosesTreat clients like everyone else and let them self-regulateDo homework afterward using trusted sources, not random Googling Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender Connect with Natalie on Instagram: @nataliewilsonpilates Download a free course guide: Pilates CertificationTeaching Mastery Program This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

    45 min

  2. 4 MAY

    307. Why Pilates Should Look Ugly Sometimes, with Heath Lander and Raphael Bender

    Heath and Raph unpack why good form isn’t always desirable. They break down the difference between skill and strength training, explain when “ugly” movement signals progress, and share how to program smarter by revisiting exercises with different loads. A must-listen for Pilates instructors who want results. Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender Connect with Heathon Instagram: @contrologycollective Download a free course guide: Pilates CertificationTeaching Mastery Program This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

    55 min

  3. 27 APR

    306. The Jibber-Jabber Episode - Why Your Cues Aren't Landing, with Natalie Wilson and Raphael Bender

    Still saying “engage your core” or “axial elongation”? In this episode, Raphael and Natalie break down why so many Pilates cues are confusing, ineffective—or just made up. Learn what makes a cue actually work and how to stop sounding like a Pilates thesaurus. Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender Connect with Natalie on Instagram: @nataliewilsonpilates Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

    1h 18m

  4. 20 APR

    305. Tonight We're Gonna Teach Reformer Like It's 1996, with Heath Lander and Raphael Bender

    Most of us were trained to teach using outdated methods designed for boutique studios in the ‘90s. But tonight it's 2025 and Pilates is different now. In this episode, we unpack why group teaching feels so hard — and why it’s not your fault. You don’t need more confidence. You need the right tools. Whether you’re teaching 6 or 16, this convo with Heath Lander will show you how to teach large groups powerfully, effectively, and without burning out. Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender Connect with Heath on Instagram: @contrologycollective Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

    1h 13m

  5. 13 APR

    304. Reformer Faceplant! Who’s to Blame, and What to Do Instead, with Natalie Wilson and Raphael Bender

    A client fell off a reformer—and Instagram exploded. Raph and Natalie unpack what really causes falls, why blame isn’t helpful, and how instructors can prevent injuries without turning class into a snoozefest. Expect practical teaching tips, clear cueing advice, and no-punches-pulled commentary. See the IG post that sparked this episode here: https://www.instagram.com/share/__WA9aFjk Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender Connect with Natalie Wilson on IG here Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

    1h 9m

  6. 6 APR

    303. The Science of Results: How to Design Sessions That Actually Work, with Raphael Bender

    This episode is Part 2 of a live lecture I gave for our Diploma students at Breathe Education — and it picks up where last week’s episode left off. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, go back and do that first. It covers all the foundational concepts about what strength actually is, and how it works in the body. This episode builds on those ideas and will make way more sense once you’ve got that base. Heads up: This one’s visual. To get the most out of it, download the lecture slides and follow along while you listen. Download the slides here: https://breathe-edu-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/Diploma%202024%20How%20to%20build%20strength.pdf In this episode you’ll learn: What actually creates strength — and why most Pilates programs miss itHow to deliver real change for clients without more time or harder workoutsThe simple cues and tweaks that turn “movement” into actual progressWhy exercises need to be hard enough to work — and how to know if they areHow often you really need to train to maintain, build, or maximize strengthWhy stability, long muscle lengths, and rest matter more than fancy choreographyHow to make Pilates-based sessions more effective — without changing your styleThe truth about core training and why it’s not what you thinkHow to use strength principles to get better results starting tomorrow Whether you’re a Pilates instructor, personal trainer, or movement nerd — this will open your eyes to what really drives results, and how to start applying it right away. Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender Find Breathe Education on Instagram and on Facebook Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

    1h 36m

  7. 30 MAR

    302. Everything you know about strengthening is probably wrong, with Raphael Bender

    This episode is a recording of a live lecture I gave on the Physiology of Strength Training for our Diploma students at Breathe Education. If you want it to actually make sense — and go deep — I highly recommend downloading the PDF lecture notes and following along while you listen. Download the notes here: https://breathe-edu-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/Diploma%202024%20Physiology%20of%20strength%20training.pdf In this episode you’ll learn: Why strength ≠ hypertrophyThe 5 actual mechanisms that make you strongerWhy lifting to failure builds muscle — even with light weightsWhy muscle activation, soreness, and “feeling the burn” don’t matterWhat you really need to do to build strength (and what to ignore) Whether you’re a Pilates instructor, personal trainer, or just a strength nerd — this one will probably blow your mind. Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

    1h 56m

  8. 23 MAR

    301. Why Isolation Exercises Are A Waste Of Time, with Raphael Bender

    I think there are 2 incorrect assumptions that lead people to the mistaken idea that isolation exercises are useful - they're not. I break down those beliefs, make the case for using simple compound movements, and share the top 6 movements I use with clients (and myself). Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

    20 min
See All (300)

4.7
out of 5
157 Ratings

About

We get to grips with new research, teaching strategies, and social issues around Pilates and Pilates teaching. This is 100% authentic, unscripted, real talk about everything Pilates. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Information

  • Creator
    Raphael Bender
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Raphael Bender
  • Show Website
    Pilates Elephants

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign-in or sign-up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada