Why women love Pilates

What We Can Do to Make This Transformational Practice More Inclusive

Walk into almost any Pilates studio today and the demographic is striking: a sea of women in coordinated leggings, gripping reformers or rolling through precise mat movements. Whether it's a boutique studio, a big-box gym, or an online class, chances are the instructor and nearly everyone in attendance will be female.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with that—but it’s worth asking: Why are so few men doing Pilates?

Even more curious: Pilates was created by a man.
Joseph Pilates not only founded the method that bears his name, but he designed it for men—boxers, gymnasts, soldiers, and circus performers. It was meant to be tough, transformative, and rooted in strength and stamina.

So how did a method built on control, power, and upper-body strength become associated with dainty stretching and delicate movements?

Let’s unpack this gender gap, what’s contributing to it, and how we can shift the narrative to help Pilates become what it truly is: a method for every body—not just women in Lululemon.

A Brief History: Pilates Was Born Masculine

First, let’s clear the air: Pilates was never “just stretching.”

Joseph Pilates was a German-born physical trainer who developed his method during World War I, helping injured soldiers rehabilitate through movement. He later moved to New York City, where he trained athletes, dancers, and performers—notably many male boxers and acrobats.

His system, originally called “Contrology,” emphasized full-body strength, with a particularly demanding focus on the core and upper body—an area where most of us, especially men, like to train.

But over the decades, the method slowly became associated with flexibility and grace, likely because of its popularity in the dance world. More and more women took to it. More female instructors trained in it. Studios grew to reflect the tastes and culture of their majority female clientele. Eventually, many men began to see Pilates as “not for them.”

And that, quite honestly, is a shame.

What Makes Pilates So Appealing to Women?

Let’s be honest: the numbers don’t lie. Women do dominate the Pilates world—both as clients and teachers. But why?

Here are a few key reasons:

1. A Focus on Functional, Toned Strength (Not Bulking)

Pilates emphasizes controlled, lengthening strength. It’s not about maxing out reps or bulking muscle—it’s about building a body that moves well and feels strong from the inside out. For women who don’t always feel represented in traditional strength training spaces, this is a breath of fresh air.

2. A Culture of Mind-Body Connection

Pilates encourages listening to your body, working with breath, and moving with intention. This appeals to many women who are used to multitasking and may crave mental presence in their workouts.

3. Low Impact, High Reward

Pilates is gentle on the joints but challenges the muscles deeply—perfect for women navigating injury recovery, postpartum healing, or aging gracefully.

4. An Aesthetic That Resonates

Let’s not pretend fashion doesn’t play a role. From matching sets to minimalist studios with beautiful lighting and branding, the visual and cultural identity of Pilates tends to align more with female consumer preferences.

Why More Men Should Do Pilates (and Love It)

The irony here is that men may benefit from Pilates just as much—if not more—than women.

Here’s why:

1. Core Strength Like Nothing Else

Pilates doesn’t just “work the abs.” It trains the deepest layers of the core, improving posture, stabilizing the spine, and supporting overall strength—whether you’re lifting weights, playing sports, or sitting at a desk all day.

2. Flexibility Without the Frills

Many men skip stretching altogether, leading to injuries and performance plateaus. Pilates builds flexibility through dynamic, supported movement. No candles or chanting required.

3. Shoulder, Back, and Hip Support

From rotator cuff stability to spinal mobility to hip joint strength—Pilates builds out the muscular foundation most men never realize they’re missing.

4. It’s Way Harder Than It Looks

Advanced Pilates exercises require coordination, full-body awareness, and real upper-body strength. Men who scoff at “stretching” classes are often humbled within minutes on a Reformer.

So Why Don’t More Men Do It?

Let’s face it—there are some major obstacles:

1. Perception

It looks like a class “for women.” Men feel out of place, unwelcome, or simply assume it won’t be challenging.

2. Culture

The environment often feels feminine—from studio decor to class playlists to clothing trends. While none of these are inherently bad, they can unintentionally exclude.

3. Coordination Barrier

Advanced Pilates requires coordination and body awareness, which many men haven’t practiced as regularly. The learning curve can be steep, and that can be discouraging.

4. Marketing

Most Pilates marketing features women—in poses, testimonials, and tone. Rarely do you see a man in a Pilates ad or studio social post. And if you do, it’s often tokenized.

What Might Help Get More Men Into Pilates?

Here’s a practical list of strategies to attract and retain male Pilates students:

✅ Adjust the Language

Avoid calling classes “sculpt” or “lengthen and lean” if you're trying to attract men. Use terms like core conditioning, mobility training, or athletic Pilates.

✅ Create Male-Friendly Classes

Host “Intro to Pilates for Men” workshops or classes specifically marketed toward male athletes, older men, or men rehabbing injuries.

✅ Showcase Male Clients and Teachers

Post photos and testimonials from real men doing Pilates. Highlight their performance gains or recovery stories. Representation matters.

✅ Incorporate Sports Language

If someone plays golf, runs, bikes, or surfs, use those words in your pitch. Pilates enhances performance in nearly every sport.

✅ Invite, Don’t Shame

Men may already feel self-conscious in a Pilates space. Meet them with curiosity and encouragement, not correction or competition.

What Women Can Do to Make Pilates More Welcoming for Men

If you’re a female teacher or client who wants to see more gender diversity in your classes, here’s a checklist of things you can do to help:

✔️ Avoid Eye Rolling or Sighing

When a man walks into class and doesn’t know what he’s doing, resist the urge to groan. Remember your first time? That’s him right now.

✔️ Encourage, Don’t Baby

Don’t assume men will struggle. Offer cues and hands-on support, but also challenge them to rise to the occasion.

✔️ Share Your Experience

Talk about how Pilates has helped your strength, focus, or injury recovery. Share that it’s not just for toning your thighs.

✔️ Recommend It to Male Friends or Partners

Word of mouth works. If you love Pilates, invite the men in your life to try a class with you.

✔️ Diversify the Playlist & Environment

A neutral playlist and simple studio décor can go a long way toward creating a more inclusive vibe.

In Conclusion: Pilates Is for Humans—Not Just Women

Pilates is one of the most effective, intelligent, and empowering forms of movement available today. It improves strength, balance, posture, coordination, and body awareness. And while women have rightfully embraced its power, it’s high time we invited more men to the party.

Let’s remember that Pilates was created by a man, intended for strength, performance, and longevity. If more men gave it a real shot, they’d find themselves stronger, more mobile, and less injured.

If you're a man reading this—give Pilates a chance. Start with a private or a beginner-friendly class and allow yourself to learn. You’ll likely be surprised by just how hard, humbling, and helpful it is.

And if you're a woman in the studio or on the teaching schedule—look around. Is there space to include more men? If not, make one.

Let’s make Pilates a more welcoming, powerful space for everyone—not just those in matching leggings.

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Clarity before Creativity

By Leslie Guerin • February 4, 2026

Why the Future of Movement Has to Change

Behind the Cue: Hold Still

By Leslie Guerin • February 2, 2026

Stability Is Not Stillness — It’s Organized Effort “Hold still.” If you’ve ever taken one of my classes, you’ve heard me say it. And if you’ve ever felt it, you know it isn’t about freezing. Most of the time when a teacher says “hold still,” it’s because something else is happening. Maybe bouncing, gripping, bracing, or compensating of some kind. Something is moving that shouldn’t be. But “hold still” does not mean “be still.” Those two cues might sound similar, but in Pilates they mean very different things. Be Still vs Hold Still Be still is a pause. It’s a full stop. It’s often used so you can feel one specific thing: “Be still… feel your ribs.” “Be still… notice your pelvis.” “Be still… now breathe.” It’s about attention. Hold still is something else entirely. Hold still means: Stay organized Stay lifted Stay connected Stay breathing You are not passive. You are not collapsed. You are actively maintaining shape while something else moves. It is one of the most advanced skills in Pilates. Why Teachers Say “Hold Still” We say it when we see: The pelvis shifting The ribs popping The shoulders helping Momentum sneaking in The body is trying to get the job done by recruiting the wrong helpers. So “hold still” is really a request for clean movement : Let only the part that is supposed to move… move. Everything else must work just as hard, just not by changing position. Side-Lying Leg Lifts: The Perfect Example Let’s take one of the most deceptively simple exercises in mat Pilates: Side-lying leg lifts. On the surface, it looks like this: You lie on your side You lift the top leg You lower it But what is really happening is far more complex. This exercise is designed to balance one side of the body on the other . The top leg moves. The rest of the body holds still. Not rigid. Not collapsed. Not gripping. Holding. What “Hold Still” Actually Means Here While the top leg lifts and lowers: The bottom side of the body is working. The bottom rib cage is lifted off the mat, creating space The waist is long, not sagging The spine is stacked, not rolled back The top hand in front of the body is not there to lean on, it is there to quiet the rocking forward and backward. The pelvis stays level. No tipping. No hiking. No rolling. Everything that is not the leg is holding still... but nothing is relaxed. This Is Why Breathing Matters If you stop breathing, you are not holding still. You are bracing. Holding still means you can: Maintain the shape Keep the effort And still let the breath move That’s where the deep stabilizers do their job: The abdominals The muscles along the spine The lateral hip The inner thighs The breath becomes the test: Can you stay organized even while something else is moving? That’s real control. Why This Cue Changes Everything “Hold still” teaches the nervous system something incredibly important: You don’t create strength by moving more. You create strength by controlling what doesn’t move . That’s how: Hips become more stable Backs become more supported Movement becomes quieter and more powerful It’s also how injuries are prevented, especially in people who are flexible, mobile, or used to muscling through. So Next Time You Hear It… When I say “hold still,” I’m not asking you to freeze. I’m asking you to: Stay lifted Stay connected Stay breathing Stay honest Let the right thing move. Let everything else do its job. That’s Pilates.

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