Move
Why Pilates Is Having Its Biggest Moment Yet
Pilates has been quietly popular for a century. What's new is who's showing up, and why a low-impact practice built around control is beating high-intensity everything.
Nadia Kessler8 min read
Pilates
Reformer vs. mat, the studio boom, and how the format actually trains the body—plus city-by-city studio guides from Tokyo to New York.
Part of our topic hubs. Start with the definitive explainer, then use the practical guides to decide what belongs in your own routine.
How to use this guide
A practical route through pilates
01
Understand the format
Learn what reformer and mat Pilates actually train, how they differ from yoga and core work elsewhere, and who each format suits.
02
Pick a studio
Compare reformer availability, class style, and design across the cities we've covered in depth before booking an intro package.
03
Read the culture around it
See how Pilates became a status workout and a fashion moment, and why that growth has outpaced yoga in several major cities.
Start here
Featured Pilates guide
All Pilates guides
Frequently Asked
Is reformer or mat Pilates better for beginners?
Mat Pilates needs no equipment and builds core control you can practice anywhere. Reformer adds spring resistance and assisted range of motion, which some beginners find easier to feel working correctly.
Why has Pilates grown faster than other studio formats recently?
Growth has come disproportionately from people who previously did HIIT or CrossFit, drawn to control and precision over exhaustion, plus design-led studios that made the format social.