Pilates is a versatile and popular exercise that emphasizes core strength and flexibility. Originating in 1925 with Joseph and Clara Pilates’ first studio, its methods have evolved to adapt to modern lifestyles. Whether practiced in person with an instructor or virtually with the guidance of an online video or app, Pilates remains rooted in holistic wellness.

Angela Pawlicki, owner of Amplified Pilates Center, in Chicago, notes that Pilates benefits the mind, body and spirit. Connecting these attributes is one of its core principles. “An hour for self-care in a safe and friendly space while moving the body has a huge impact on your total wellness,” she explains. “We teach clients how to breathe through uncomfortable moments and focus on precision and form instead of just the burn. Pilates builds strength, posture, range of motion and stability, which are key aspects of physical health. The mindfulness, intention and breathwork during Pilates can also help calm the nervous system.”

A Pilates workout combines stimulation and serenity, providing a deep emotional boost. “Mental wellness is found in both the uncomfortable and joyful aspects of Pilates,” says Pawlicki. “The music is in the background so clients are not just moving to the beat, but rather focusing on their bodies and movements. They also find time to quiet the mind of outside thoughts and focus on being mindfully present to how their body moves.”

The variations in Pilates make it accessible to almost everyone. Pawlicki’s clients range from 13 to 93 years old at all fitness levels. “A number of our clients are just looking to be healthy, both physically and mentally. We also see athletes, women who are pregnant or in postpartum, and people healing from injuries such as knee or hip replacements and spinal surgeries,” she points out. “While the basic Pilates apparatuses have remained largely unchanged over the years, the teaching principles have evolved to address the wear and tear our bodies experience from cell phones, computers and seated jobs.”

In recent years, teaching methods have expanded to include group, private, online and hybrid classes that cater to different interests, abilities, goals and schedules. “Online and virtual classes are a great way to bring Pilates to people that do not have access to it in person, or whose personal commitments do not allow them to attend a class,” Pawlicki says. “This also lets them pause and replay a specific section, which they wouldn’t be able to do in a class.”

Pilates apps offer convenient options for busy individuals. Better Me (BetterMe.world) serves as a comprehensive tracker, allowing users to also record their steps and food intake. Pilatesology (Pilatesology.com) is designed for beginners, offering progressive exercises to help them learn the basics without feeling overwhelmed. B the Method (BTheMethod.com) caters to those seeking home workouts with minimal equipment, offering options for light dumbbells.

Jesse Masche, co-owner of East Side Pilates, in Milwaukee, uses Pilates to create a community where strength, empowerment and holistic wellness converge. Noting that it is a reliable and versatile exercise for long-term well-being, she states, “Pilates focuses on building core strength, which supports a healthier spine. This leads to increased flexibility and mobility as you age, which can improve your balance and reduce the risk of falls.”

While trends like wall Pilates and aqua Pilates gain traction on social media, Masche believes that exercises on traditional equipment, such as the reformer, offer the most efficient way to reap the benefits. “Aqua Pilates can provide a soothing atmosphere, but I don’t necessarily think the rewards are the same,” she says. “The reformer is a support system—like a third muscle—to help you utilize the correct muscles for each exercise. The springs hold you up, allowing you to get in the correct position. It also gives you valuable feedback on which muscles you’re engaging.”

The springs on the reformer, chair or tower apparatus can be adjusted based on individual goals. “A beginner may use more spring for support, allowing them to fully engage their entire body and lengthen into the exercise,” Masche suggests. “As they advance, they may decrease the spring to support their own body weight more. Or, they can make it stronger, challenging themselves to resist and engage the spring, stimulating muscle activation. It all depends on their focus and what they want to accomplish.” ❧

Sidebar: Atlanta Pilates Studio Owner Witnesses Its Evolution

Leslie Clayton 

(Photo: Madison Crowley)

Leslie Clayton, owner of Body Awareness, which, at 31 years, is Atlanta’s oldest Pilates studio, has participated in the Pilates evolution.

In the beginning, many of her clients were affluent, having discovered Pilates at spas and resorts on the two coasts. Two other types of Pilates students were prevalent then, as they are now: those rehabilitating from injuries and professionals, such as dancers, who were looking to fine-tune their performance.

How students have engaged with Pilates has changed over time. In the beginning, large group mat classes were an easy and economical way for people to try Pilates out. But “private sessions have always been a major way to learn Pilates,” says Clayton. “You can really customize the session. People can get their individual needs met because there are many different ways that people choose to breathe or stand or sit or have functional imbalances in their posture.”

When COVID emerged, it impacted people’s ability and willingness to learn remotely and virtually. Based on available data, ChatGPT reports that Pilates in the U.S. enjoyed its biggest growth between 2020 and 2023. ClassPass reported that in 2024, Pilates bookings increased by 84 percent over 2023. Moreover, more men started taking up Pilates than ever: Solidcore, a national chain offering Pilates-style workouts, reported a 71 percent year-over-year increase in male membership between 2022 and 2023.

These days, Clayton sees the biggest growth in Pilates coming in group reformer classes. She’s addressing that by opening a second studio; her current location only has four reformers. [No official date for opening has been announced as of this writing.] New studios are opening with anywhere from eight to 15 reformers, she says, but she’s willing to teach no more than 10 in a group class. “Pilates is really about fine-tuning posture form,” she says. “A lot of things could go wrong when you have a lot of moving parts.”

Clayton sees significant differences among her student groups. Clients in their 70s through 90s see Pilates as their primary form of exercise, she says. “The spring tension environment is just the best thing that I know of for keeping the joints mobile without stressing the joints.” Longevity is a key motivating factor as older clients “can see [the benefits of Pilates] now more than ever when they are in social gatherings with their friends that are of their age.”

Younger practitioners, on the other hand, typically use Pilates for core strength and flexibility and as a supplement “to keep their body in balance if they play tennis or golf.” It’s also fun for this group, in addition to the “cosmetics” consideration; “you look long and lean, and your posture looks great.”

One motivating factor to take Pilates has not changed since the very beginning: rehabilitating injuries, especially of the lower back, as well as injury prevention. “The mindfulness that you bring to your exercise with Pilates is very important for injury prevention,” says Clayton.