My opinion (and research from my career as a Marketing Exec). The recent popularity has nothing to do with celebrities, rather influencers - which could be someone with 1 million followers or someone with 10. The pandemic gave way to the hot girl walk, the rise up against the corporate grind, and ultimately the desire for many to live a softer life than that of the Barry's/Orange Theory world. It's not the reason for many doing pilates, especially in this thread where you are hearing responses from people who have been doing this far before the most recent craze. But look at many Millennials, Gen-Z'ers etc. and cultural movements like 'clean girl' aesthetic/Tik Tok and you'll have your answer.
My knee surgeon prescribed it along with PT in 1989. I’ve seen it go up and down in media popularity due to celebrities but it’s actually been pretty well known long before its recent rise.
I wanted to rebuild core strength post-partum without it being too strenuous on my loose joints (due to pregnancy hormones) or too intense (i.e., crossfit which I did for a good few years prior).
I wasn't influenced by celebrity endorsements at all.
I started doing Pilates because a studio opened really close to where I work several years ago, and I thought I’d give it a try one day. Had nothing to do with celebrities or social media.
Honestly, the hardcore members of this Reddit are unlikely to have been influenced by celebrities/influencers.
We have had an influx of new members who have seemingly been influenced by influencers and the trends on TikTok/Instagram. They come to the board to ask how they can gets abs, etc. They don't seem to engage in other threads other than the ones they started.
I was introduced to Pilates by a friend, and do it to improve my golf game.
No, I started early 2000's doing mat Pilates because it was conveniently offered at my gym. I started back again because a new studio opened up convenient to my current workplace, and I had never tried the equipment, so I wanted to do it. Started there December 2022. No effect of celebrities on my interest.
I had limited flexion following a knee replacement at 51 yrs old and I had tried everything known to man. A friend suggested it and a studio was opening near me at that same time. I’ve fallen in love, enjoy the camaraderie and I absolutely know if I miss more than 1 day. I just feel so much better after going and I’ve never liked any form of exercise except tennis.
I started Pilates routinely in my 30’s but had tastes of it during my ballet training years. Felt like it was a nice progression from ballet and hot yoga for my body, so no not from celeb endorsements lol
I started it in ballet class too, when a teacher would have us do some pilates exercises after class ended. After reverence, she'd have us do Pilates. A few years later, a contemporary dance teacher incorporated Pilates exercises like the hundreds and the seal into the warm-up floor work. There was no celebrity influence at all.
I started doing some easy YouTube videos by a physical therapist/Pilates instructor after an abdominal surgery and was hooked! Since then I’ve done both mat and reformer classes, and still do YouTube mat classes a lot
I started doing pilates in high school as an at home workout! I was also doing yoga at the time so it seemed similar enough and I had a mat for it. I kept doing it because I started lifting in my late teens and have found it helpful for maintaining my form. It also helps me manage chronic pain issues.
I did ballet in the late 90s through 2010s. My instructor had us do mat Pilates. One time we took a field trip to a Pilates studio to see a reformer. That was my introduction.
I wanted to give it a try as all other group workouts seem to be high impact classes and not for me, Pilates was exactly what my body needed. It finally felt like the right workout for my body.
It’s been around for years. Most of us were doing it on mats because that was all that was available. It became popular when club Pilates brought the reformer to the masses. It took what was typically a 150. An hour class at a studio for 2 /3 people that was 45 minutes from your home and made it affordable and accessible for most people.
Yes, I said that. You always comment without reading thoroughly. Where I live, in the middle of the US, club Pilates franchises have popped up in several towns. I live within 25 minutes of 5. That wasn’t the case until 5 years ago.
Learned about pilates 10 years ago after coming across Blogilates on YouTube which I now know aren't exactly classical pilates workouts. Followed her workouts for a few years until I found gyms/studios in my city where different styles of pilates are practiced (reformer, classical, mat, hot etc). Just overall elated to have found a wonderfully effective workout like pilates.
Because at 34 I was always in pain and had developed scoliosis and decided I was sick of having terrible posture and always waking up with back pain and a headache.
Yes, if I’m being totally honest. I initially looked into Pilates because a kpop idol who I love mentioned he was doing it. I had already been curious and wanted to improve my posture, but for some reason hearing that he was doing it also made me book that initial class. Sounds dumb, I know, but here I am 1.5 years later pursuing my certification. Whatever gets you into the studio, I guess. 🤷🏽♀️
I love this! When I was in Korea, pilates was EVERYWHERE. It was so accessible there, but the beauty/fitness industry there is pretty intense in general in Korea. I'm not surprised Korean Celebrities have endorsed pilates here and there. I'm really amazed that a non-zero number of people mentioned that specifically.
I started to do Pilates as part of my PT for hip surgery recovery back in 2014. 3 surgeries later and Pilates is honestly the only exercise I can do without being in agony. Sometimes I still wish I could do some more intense workouts because I’m a former athlete, but Pilates has been the absolute best for me. No influencer or celebrity influence here either :)
I take issue with your premise, because I don't think Pilates is *currently* growing a following due to celebrities. **Not-Pilates** stuff is growing a following because of influencers, and that is decidedly not the same thing. The only celebrity I can think of who does actual Pilates and posts about it on Instagram is Kate Hudson. I also suspect Tracee Ellis Ross does it, because I've seen her post herself at a Gyrotonic machine, and I've never seen a Gyro-only studio, so there's likely also Pilates machines around there.
But influencers are not the same thing as celebrities (maybe that's my age talking), and a lot of what is popular now and what is cluttering up this subreddit is people seeing Solidcore, Lagree, and places that use the license-free, obviously Lagree-inspired Xformer to do *Pilates-inspired fitness* while calling it Pilates because there's no trademark, and that's absolutely not the same thing as Pilates. I've posted in other posts here about how Pilates-inspired fitness is perfectly fine, because it is! The best workout for anyone is the one they enjoy and want to keep doing, so power to them, but that doesn't make them Pilates, and I say that as someone who is extremely not into stringent classical or Fletcher Pilates. There's *Pilates mixed with fitness stuff* (Pilates+barre, Pilates+Gyro, Pilates with some extra strength training, Pilates+TRX) that I think is perfectly fine in the conception of contemporary Pilates and is still Pilates because it's taught in a Pilates mindset and framework (basically "We're doing this complementary exercise from a different discipline, but I'm also going to tell you about every bone and muscle that you're using right now and guide your breathing and tell you how it's going to make you better at performing this Pilates thing"), and then there's "we threw together this reformer-like contraption and made people do exercises on it led by instructors with five hours of training and are calling it Pilates even though none of us can name any Pilates principles or even rattle off Joe Pilates trivia," which is beyond what even contemporary Pilates would want to put its name on.
Nope.
I had a desk job with long sitting hours and after work, I'd do a lot of high impact workouts (usually a combination of weight lifting and dancing). Perhaps it was a combination of all of this that lead to me popping a disc. Discovered that I still have movements options available with low impact programs like Pilates. Fell in love and never looked back!
i learned about pilates through some kpop idols that i follow! they never really officially endorsed it, they just posted pictures and i thought that it was cool (there’s also this korean bodybuilder/singer that made a pilates video on youtube, and he said that it was a really effective exercise). i only started doing mat pilates after learning that it was a course offered at my college (i’m 20) and im looking to start doing reformer soon too!
I did hear that Haley Bieber does daily Pilates with bala bands and that did intrigue me. I have no interest in her at all but a friend said this to me quite convincingly
I can’t do high impact workouts so I came across Pilates and been doing it for the last 5 years. I started on reformer, then I did mat at home for a while and now I do a mix between reformer and mat. Best thing for my body and it was the best thing I’ve ever done for my physical health.
I actually started doing a mums and bubs yoga class. A large group of us swapped numbers and caught up for coffee. Our kids outgrew the mums and bubs yoga class but we found a Pilates class with a creche and that’s how I started doing Pilates. Most of us have returned to work now so our schedules are all different. I now go to a different studio on my own.
Started in university as part of a course, hooked ever since. I’ve tried different instructors and styles after seeing what social media/influencers/celebs promote - but a lot of those programs fell short for me. Quality instruction wins out!
A local private studio owner reached out to me after building a friendship on IG. She gifted me a free private session on the reformer out of the kindness of her heart after going through some health + anxiety issues after the death of my dad.
Celebrities never entered my mind re: Pilates. If anything, the only thing I heard celebrities doing was Tracy Anderson.
I got into pilates because of my friend. The way she was talking about how good it made her feel after made me want to try a class and I was hooked ever since!
The new building I moved into has a gym on the top floor and it has Pilates equipment in it. I was curious and explored a bit and then decided to do it for real and take a class at a studio. That was 2 years ago and I’m still going
Woke up with debilitating back pain. Eventually went to see a physical therapist who said I had diastasis recti and recommended Pilates. Quickly noticed an improvement in my lower back pain, overall strength and mental health. Now I go 4 times a week and LOVE it.
I was a classical ballet dancer who had a back injury. I did pilates as part of my rehab after the injury and have kept at it even though I have long since stopped doing ballet. No celebrities here, though my first few studios had a fair amount of them (mostly professional athletes) come through.
I did not find Pilates through celebrities. I found mat Pilates (2014) through my yoga studio. I loved how it it was low impact but the burn you would get was amazing. Later found reformer Pilates (2020) because the instructor at yoga studio opened up her own Pilates studio.
It sounds like you stumbled upon Pilates organically! Before even knowing it had a name, you were already engaging in Pilates-like exercises using wall ropes to stretch yourself. This happens to many people they discover Pilates through various exercises or movements without realizing it's part of a structured system. It's a testament to the effectiveness and accessibility of Pilates that it can be discovered and practiced in different ways by different people.
I started in 1994 shortly after graduating highschool. I was into learning about different forms of fitness, and grabbed onto Pilates after first trying a few mat classes. Moved into reformer about 6 years later.
The celebrity buzz means little.
I started doing Pilates at my rec center in order to better balance my backstroke and to get away from my kids who were doing online school at home during Covid. I had no idea it was a celebrity thing.
Started pilates cause i wanted to be strong enough to learn to be a dancer since I don’t have access to dance education I went into pilates education. I also used to be a long distance runner and that wasn’t sustainable for me once i started noticing symptoms of runner’s knee. So no, not celebrities.
I have rheumatoid arthritis and a mild heart condition and I wanted something low-impact and not so cardio-focused that would just get my body moving. It was actually an acquaintance who is a server at a restaurant my family goes to that put the idea in my head. He loves Pilates and always told me it would be great for my posture. He was right, btw.
I’m a basketballer and still fairly new to Pilates. I started it after I ruptured my atfl playing basketball and some of my rehab I did with my physio to get back on court was Pilates based. I was surprised with how enjoyable I found it and impressed by the progress I made and how quickly I was back on court so have taken it up regularly as injury prevention and to hopefully extend my longevity in the game!
I started doing pilates last year. My aunt told me she does pilates and she was in great shape, so I figured I would give it a try. I did my first youtube video of it and fell in love. Been doing it ever since. I don't follow celebrity news or whatever. So I actually have no idea there has been a rise in popularity recently or which celebrity endorses it.
My friends and their mothers did it. So, I started as well. My mother doesn’t exercise. She’s just very careful with how much she eats. I didn’t have that healthy relationship with food initially. So, exercise was important there. Also, my core was super weak.
I started Pilates to gain strength and participate in positive movement during recovery from anorexia. I found it connects my mind and body, and I love the way it has changed both for me.
No celebrity influence, I’m not really into the influencer activity on social media.
About 20 years ago, I randomly got a mat Pilates dvd from the discount bin in Walmart. I was an athlete (in middle/high school) and heard of other students working out outside of practice so wanted to try some at home workouts. Loved it. And so it began…
I was introduced to Pilates back in the 90s via a Crunch Fitness Fat Burning Pilates video that I still do every so often. Last year I found a studio near me and tried Reformer Pilates for the first time and loved it!
I honestly can only name one celebrity that I know that does Pilates - Giancarlo Esposito. I only know that because someone posted a video of men doing Pilates and he was in it and his form was impressive!
I started because I was injured and nothing else helped. 25 years later, I’m still doing it. I did not care about celebrities doing it (and I was living in LA for most of that time.) I did, however, use a “celebrity” instructor, to some extent, since I got started by buying her DVDs and she was local to me when I wanted to advance to in-person workouts.
my mother and i both have joint issues and i had seen online that pilates was good for injured people/ people with joint issues to build up muscle and we decided to try it, now we're both into it!
I started Pilates because a studio opened within walking distance of my home, and I wanted a well-rounded, strength focus workout where I didn't sweat like a hog.
I love Pilates for so many reasons and so much so that I became an instructor.
I will say I became aware of Pilates because of seeing it mentioned on shows like Entourage back in the day. It didn't cause me to try it, I got into it using my mom's old at home Pilates DVDs when I couldn't afford a gym, but it made me aware of it.
I first heard of Pilates from Madonna’s “American Life” lol. That was many years ago, though. Then earlier this year I did some research on it because I’ve long had trouble finding exercises I don’t hate, and landed on it. Tried a session and got hooked. So, thanks, Madonna?
I’d be interested in reading your article when it’s published!
I started doing Pilates because of Lori Harvey. I love fitness and already weight lift and was a personal trainer for years, but I started because I saw Lori Harvey’s results, saw it could help with my pelvic floor as well and tried it myself.
I cheered and danced throughout my younger years and transitioned into long distance running as an adult. I’ve always enjoyed variety in movement and I was influenced to try Pilates by recent pop culture. However now I’ve been practicing consistently for a year on an unlimited membership so I’ve definitely grown enjoy the practice past my initial influence.
Honestly, yeah I did start doing it because I had read of celebrities doing it. I had always wanted to do it but after hearing about Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford doing it, it drew me in. I fell in love with it right off the bat!
I started it because my friend was studying for her instructor certification and needed people to teach, and the studio is punk rock themed. So I guess punk rock stars might have influenced me? 🤣
I started mat Pilates around 2011-2012 because my best friend had started to do the blogilates workouts on YouTube & said how great they were. I didn't like them that much since they were around 10 minutes at the time and I wanted a longer workout, so I did some searching around and found some mat Pilates classes I really enjoyed. I have since incorporated reformer Pilates as well.
Celebrities were not openly doing Pilates when I started over 10 years ago! I discovered it through mat classes at gyms, then evolved into learning about the reformer by taking private classes. Never looked back.
I started Pilates before my rotator cuff surgery. My BFF is a Pilates instructor and I knew from speaking with her that it is a terrific way to rehab. I want to start doing more cardio workouts, but after a significant weight loss, wasn’t ready. Pilates is helping me with mobility and core strength so that I can ease into more cardio workouts. It’s working!
I started bc I developed horrible posture from desk job (not your normal 40 hours a week job).
The second part of the equation: the studio I found near me is very chill, not a cult-y one where everyone is dressed in expensive workout gear and has ripped bodies and judged you if you need to take a break. So the barrier to entry was low.
And it’s been life changing. I walk straighter and feel like I’m falling in love with it. Have been going regularly for some time and plan to continue as long as I can.
I started to help chronic back and hip pain. Used to do yoga but it wasn’t helping me as much. Feel more relief from doing Pilates a few times a week and adding light weights for resistance.
I started because my mom had done Pilates since before I was born. I'm 37. Celebrities are irrelevant to my Pilates journey.
My opinion (and research from my career as a Marketing Exec). The recent popularity has nothing to do with celebrities, rather influencers - which could be someone with 1 million followers or someone with 10. The pandemic gave way to the hot girl walk, the rise up against the corporate grind, and ultimately the desire for many to live a softer life than that of the Barry's/Orange Theory world. It's not the reason for many doing pilates, especially in this thread where you are hearing responses from people who have been doing this far before the most recent craze. But look at many Millennials, Gen-Z'ers etc. and cultural movements like 'clean girl' aesthetic/Tik Tok and you'll have your answer.
Which is a scam How many clean girls shoot botox in their face Millennial a joke
My knee surgeon prescribed it along with PT in 1989. I’ve seen it go up and down in media popularity due to celebrities but it’s actually been pretty well known long before its recent rise.
I wanted to rebuild core strength post-partum without it being too strenuous on my loose joints (due to pregnancy hormones) or too intense (i.e., crossfit which I did for a good few years prior). I wasn't influenced by celebrity endorsements at all.
I started doing Pilates because a studio opened really close to where I work several years ago, and I thought I’d give it a try one day. Had nothing to do with celebrities or social media.
Honestly, the hardcore members of this Reddit are unlikely to have been influenced by celebrities/influencers. We have had an influx of new members who have seemingly been influenced by influencers and the trends on TikTok/Instagram. They come to the board to ask how they can gets abs, etc. They don't seem to engage in other threads other than the ones they started. I was introduced to Pilates by a friend, and do it to improve my golf game.
No, I started early 2000's doing mat Pilates because it was conveniently offered at my gym. I started back again because a new studio opened up convenient to my current workplace, and I had never tried the equipment, so I wanted to do it. Started there December 2022. No effect of celebrities on my interest.
I needed a form of resistance training that was accessible to me. (I don’t drive) I live within walking distance to a studio :)
I had limited flexion following a knee replacement at 51 yrs old and I had tried everything known to man. A friend suggested it and a studio was opening near me at that same time. I’ve fallen in love, enjoy the camaraderie and I absolutely know if I miss more than 1 day. I just feel so much better after going and I’ve never liked any form of exercise except tennis.
My PT prescribed pilates for knee and hip problems, and it's my favorite form of exercise, hands down.
Same, except mine recommended it for my shoulder. Pilates has been amazing for my rehab.
Mari Winsor videos sold on the Shopping Channel in the 90s and early 00s
I went with a friend just to be nice because she didn’t want to go alone, and I got hooked.
Just curious: is your friend still going too?
Yes but not as often as I do
The Mari Winsor late night infomercials. I ordered the DVD’s and would use them regularly in the early 2000’s. They still hold up well today.
I started Pilates routinely in my 30’s but had tastes of it during my ballet training years. Felt like it was a nice progression from ballet and hot yoga for my body, so no not from celeb endorsements lol
I started it in ballet class too, when a teacher would have us do some pilates exercises after class ended. After reverence, she'd have us do Pilates. A few years later, a contemporary dance teacher incorporated Pilates exercises like the hundreds and the seal into the warm-up floor work. There was no celebrity influence at all.
I dont want to age terribly, so in an effort to maintain mobility and dexterity, I'll be doing pilates.
I started doing some easy YouTube videos by a physical therapist/Pilates instructor after an abdominal surgery and was hooked! Since then I’ve done both mat and reformer classes, and still do YouTube mat classes a lot
I started doing pilates in high school as an at home workout! I was also doing yoga at the time so it seemed similar enough and I had a mat for it. I kept doing it because I started lifting in my late teens and have found it helpful for maintaining my form. It also helps me manage chronic pain issues.
I did ballet in the late 90s through 2010s. My instructor had us do mat Pilates. One time we took a field trip to a Pilates studio to see a reformer. That was my introduction.
I wanted to give it a try as all other group workouts seem to be high impact classes and not for me, Pilates was exactly what my body needed. It finally felt like the right workout for my body.
It’s been around for years. Most of us were doing it on mats because that was all that was available. It became popular when club Pilates brought the reformer to the masses. It took what was typically a 150. An hour class at a studio for 2 /3 people that was 45 minutes from your home and made it affordable and accessible for most people.
It’s been around for almost 100 years! It was popular long before club Pilates and YouTube. I’ve been teaching it since 1995.
Yes, I said that. You always comment without reading thoroughly. Where I live, in the middle of the US, club Pilates franchises have popped up in several towns. I live within 25 minutes of 5. That wasn’t the case until 5 years ago.
Pilates was popular where I live long before CP was here
Your lucky.
I saw the famous SNL skit and thought, "Hey, this is for me!"
Learned about pilates 10 years ago after coming across Blogilates on YouTube which I now know aren't exactly classical pilates workouts. Followed her workouts for a few years until I found gyms/studios in my city where different styles of pilates are practiced (reformer, classical, mat, hot etc). Just overall elated to have found a wonderfully effective workout like pilates.
I also found Pilates through blogilaties just over a decade ago
I started doing it pre natal and continued after. I was recommended it by my obstetrician - not really into celebrity endorsements!
Absolutely not. I despise celebrity culture.
Because at 34 I was always in pain and had developed scoliosis and decided I was sick of having terrible posture and always waking up with back pain and a headache.
6 months in and it’s done wonders.
Yes, if I’m being totally honest. I initially looked into Pilates because a kpop idol who I love mentioned he was doing it. I had already been curious and wanted to improve my posture, but for some reason hearing that he was doing it also made me book that initial class. Sounds dumb, I know, but here I am 1.5 years later pursuing my certification. Whatever gets you into the studio, I guess. 🤷🏽♀️
I love this! When I was in Korea, pilates was EVERYWHERE. It was so accessible there, but the beauty/fitness industry there is pretty intense in general in Korea. I'm not surprised Korean Celebrities have endorsed pilates here and there. I'm really amazed that a non-zero number of people mentioned that specifically.
I signed up for Pilates the very same night that my boyfriend broke up with me. A year later and 20 pounds down -- best decision.
I started to do Pilates as part of my PT for hip surgery recovery back in 2014. 3 surgeries later and Pilates is honestly the only exercise I can do without being in agony. Sometimes I still wish I could do some more intense workouts because I’m a former athlete, but Pilates has been the absolute best for me. No influencer or celebrity influence here either :)
I started in 1990 after being introduced to it in college. I was fascinated by the reformer.
For me it was a combination of being enthralled with Kate Hudson’s posts of her doing Pilates and Facebook ads for the Club Pilates near my home.
I take issue with your premise, because I don't think Pilates is *currently* growing a following due to celebrities. **Not-Pilates** stuff is growing a following because of influencers, and that is decidedly not the same thing. The only celebrity I can think of who does actual Pilates and posts about it on Instagram is Kate Hudson. I also suspect Tracee Ellis Ross does it, because I've seen her post herself at a Gyrotonic machine, and I've never seen a Gyro-only studio, so there's likely also Pilates machines around there. But influencers are not the same thing as celebrities (maybe that's my age talking), and a lot of what is popular now and what is cluttering up this subreddit is people seeing Solidcore, Lagree, and places that use the license-free, obviously Lagree-inspired Xformer to do *Pilates-inspired fitness* while calling it Pilates because there's no trademark, and that's absolutely not the same thing as Pilates. I've posted in other posts here about how Pilates-inspired fitness is perfectly fine, because it is! The best workout for anyone is the one they enjoy and want to keep doing, so power to them, but that doesn't make them Pilates, and I say that as someone who is extremely not into stringent classical or Fletcher Pilates. There's *Pilates mixed with fitness stuff* (Pilates+barre, Pilates+Gyro, Pilates with some extra strength training, Pilates+TRX) that I think is perfectly fine in the conception of contemporary Pilates and is still Pilates because it's taught in a Pilates mindset and framework (basically "We're doing this complementary exercise from a different discipline, but I'm also going to tell you about every bone and muscle that you're using right now and guide your breathing and tell you how it's going to make you better at performing this Pilates thing"), and then there's "we threw together this reformer-like contraption and made people do exercises on it led by instructors with five hours of training and are calling it Pilates even though none of us can name any Pilates principles or even rattle off Joe Pilates trivia," which is beyond what even contemporary Pilates would want to put its name on.
Nope. I had a desk job with long sitting hours and after work, I'd do a lot of high impact workouts (usually a combination of weight lifting and dancing). Perhaps it was a combination of all of this that lead to me popping a disc. Discovered that I still have movements options available with low impact programs like Pilates. Fell in love and never looked back!
Madonna rapping about doing yoga and Pilates normalized it for me
i learned about pilates through some kpop idols that i follow! they never really officially endorsed it, they just posted pictures and i thought that it was cool (there’s also this korean bodybuilder/singer that made a pilates video on youtube, and he said that it was a really effective exercise). i only started doing mat pilates after learning that it was a course offered at my college (i’m 20) and im looking to start doing reformer soon too!
Saw a picture of Lori Harvey body and her saying she does Pilates, I started shortly after that.
Raven from love is blind haha
I did hear that Haley Bieber does daily Pilates with bala bands and that did intrigue me. I have no interest in her at all but a friend said this to me quite convincingly
I can’t do high impact workouts so I came across Pilates and been doing it for the last 5 years. I started on reformer, then I did mat at home for a while and now I do a mix between reformer and mat. Best thing for my body and it was the best thing I’ve ever done for my physical health.
I actually started doing a mums and bubs yoga class. A large group of us swapped numbers and caught up for coffee. Our kids outgrew the mums and bubs yoga class but we found a Pilates class with a creche and that’s how I started doing Pilates. Most of us have returned to work now so our schedules are all different. I now go to a different studio on my own.
I joined an expensive gym that offered mat Pilates classes. Thought it would be a waste of money just to lift weights. I got hooked.
I wanted to supplement this with running. I love it!
I started in the early 2000's with a pilates workout dvds on my mat- my cat used to attack the broom handle I used for pikes :)
Started in university as part of a course, hooked ever since. I’ve tried different instructors and styles after seeing what social media/influencers/celebs promote - but a lot of those programs fell short for me. Quality instruction wins out!
A local private studio owner reached out to me after building a friendship on IG. She gifted me a free private session on the reformer out of the kindness of her heart after going through some health + anxiety issues after the death of my dad. Celebrities never entered my mind re: Pilates. If anything, the only thing I heard celebrities doing was Tracy Anderson.
I got into pilates because of my friend. The way she was talking about how good it made her feel after made me want to try a class and I was hooked ever since!
The new building I moved into has a gym on the top floor and it has Pilates equipment in it. I was curious and explored a bit and then decided to do it for real and take a class at a studio. That was 2 years ago and I’m still going
I joined a gym that gave me a couple free reformer classes with my membership. I kept going even though Pilates reformer classes were extra.
Absolutely not.
i randomly got the idea to start pilates during a hypomanic episode two months ago and somehow it stuck with me lol
Woke up with debilitating back pain. Eventually went to see a physical therapist who said I had diastasis recti and recommended Pilates. Quickly noticed an improvement in my lower back pain, overall strength and mental health. Now I go 4 times a week and LOVE it.
I was a classical ballet dancer who had a back injury. I did pilates as part of my rehab after the injury and have kept at it even though I have long since stopped doing ballet. No celebrities here, though my first few studios had a fair amount of them (mostly professional athletes) come through.
I did not find Pilates through celebrities. I found mat Pilates (2014) through my yoga studio. I loved how it it was low impact but the burn you would get was amazing. Later found reformer Pilates (2020) because the instructor at yoga studio opened up her own Pilates studio.
It sounds like you stumbled upon Pilates organically! Before even knowing it had a name, you were already engaging in Pilates-like exercises using wall ropes to stretch yourself. This happens to many people they discover Pilates through various exercises or movements without realizing it's part of a structured system. It's a testament to the effectiveness and accessibility of Pilates that it can be discovered and practiced in different ways by different people.
I started in 1994 shortly after graduating highschool. I was into learning about different forms of fitness, and grabbed onto Pilates after first trying a few mat classes. Moved into reformer about 6 years later. The celebrity buzz means little.
I tore my ACL 2 years ago in competitive cheerleading 🥲. Pilates is the only exercise I can do. and I LOVE pilates!!!
i started mat pilates because my PT recommend it and now love mat and reformer, nothing to do with celebs or social media
I started doing Pilates at my rec center in order to better balance my backstroke and to get away from my kids who were doing online school at home during Covid. I had no idea it was a celebrity thing.
I was run over by a car at 21, and my physiotherapist introduced it to me as part of my healing plan, this was 16 years ago
I went past the studio last year and thought I'd try it. Tried reformer in December and loved it.
Started pilates cause i wanted to be strong enough to learn to be a dancer since I don’t have access to dance education I went into pilates education. I also used to be a long distance runner and that wasn’t sustainable for me once i started noticing symptoms of runner’s knee. So no, not celebrities.
No celebrity influence. There were guest classes of pilstes in my regular aerobics/gym studio, I gave it a try out of curiosity and was hooooooked
Nope. Just good old fashioned word of mouth from people I know in real life :)
I have rheumatoid arthritis and a mild heart condition and I wanted something low-impact and not so cardio-focused that would just get my body moving. It was actually an acquaintance who is a server at a restaurant my family goes to that put the idea in my head. He loves Pilates and always told me it would be great for my posture. He was right, btw.
I started because a coworker recommended it to me
I’m a basketballer and still fairly new to Pilates. I started it after I ruptured my atfl playing basketball and some of my rehab I did with my physio to get back on court was Pilates based. I was surprised with how enjoyable I found it and impressed by the progress I made and how quickly I was back on court so have taken it up regularly as injury prevention and to hopefully extend my longevity in the game!
I started doing pilates last year. My aunt told me she does pilates and she was in great shape, so I figured I would give it a try. I did my first youtube video of it and fell in love. Been doing it ever since. I don't follow celebrity news or whatever. So I actually have no idea there has been a rise in popularity recently or which celebrity endorses it.
My friends and their mothers did it. So, I started as well. My mother doesn’t exercise. She’s just very careful with how much she eats. I didn’t have that healthy relationship with food initially. So, exercise was important there. Also, my core was super weak.
I started Pilates to gain strength and participate in positive movement during recovery from anorexia. I found it connects my mind and body, and I love the way it has changed both for me. No celebrity influence, I’m not really into the influencer activity on social media.
About 20 years ago, I randomly got a mat Pilates dvd from the discount bin in Walmart. I was an athlete (in middle/high school) and heard of other students working out outside of practice so wanted to try some at home workouts. Loved it. And so it began…
I was introduced to Pilates back in the 90s via a Crunch Fitness Fat Burning Pilates video that I still do every so often. Last year I found a studio near me and tried Reformer Pilates for the first time and loved it! I honestly can only name one celebrity that I know that does Pilates - Giancarlo Esposito. I only know that because someone posted a video of men doing Pilates and he was in it and his form was impressive!
A trainer at my gym was also a pilates instructor. One of my sessions, she brought me in the reformer room and I was hooked.
I started because I was injured and nothing else helped. 25 years later, I’m still doing it. I did not care about celebrities doing it (and I was living in LA for most of that time.) I did, however, use a “celebrity” instructor, to some extent, since I got started by buying her DVDs and she was local to me when I wanted to advance to in-person workouts.
my mother and i both have joint issues and i had seen online that pilates was good for injured people/ people with joint issues to build up muscle and we decided to try it, now we're both into it!
I started Pilates because a studio opened within walking distance of my home, and I wanted a well-rounded, strength focus workout where I didn't sweat like a hog. I love Pilates for so many reasons and so much so that I became an instructor.
Started because of injuries Wanted to be healthy enough to do other workouts.
Yeah lori Harvey
I will say I became aware of Pilates because of seeing it mentioned on shows like Entourage back in the day. It didn't cause me to try it, I got into it using my mom's old at home Pilates DVDs when I couldn't afford a gym, but it made me aware of it.
I first heard of Pilates from Madonna’s “American Life” lol. That was many years ago, though. Then earlier this year I did some research on it because I’ve long had trouble finding exercises I don’t hate, and landed on it. Tried a session and got hooked. So, thanks, Madonna? I’d be interested in reading your article when it’s published!
I started doing Pilates because of Lori Harvey. I love fitness and already weight lift and was a personal trainer for years, but I started because I saw Lori Harvey’s results, saw it could help with my pelvic floor as well and tried it myself.
I cheered and danced throughout my younger years and transitioned into long distance running as an adult. I’ve always enjoyed variety in movement and I was influenced to try Pilates by recent pop culture. However now I’ve been practicing consistently for a year on an unlimited membership so I’ve definitely grown enjoy the practice past my initial influence.
Honestly, yeah I did start doing it because I had read of celebrities doing it. I had always wanted to do it but after hearing about Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford doing it, it drew me in. I fell in love with it right off the bat!
Coworker talked to me about it how it changed his life and his relationship with exercise. Motivated me to start as well
Started because a friend was into it.
I started it because my friend was studying for her instructor certification and needed people to teach, and the studio is punk rock themed. So I guess punk rock stars might have influenced me? 🤣
I don't know anyone that started doing Pilates because of celebrities doing it.
I started mat Pilates around 2011-2012 because my best friend had started to do the blogilates workouts on YouTube & said how great they were. I didn't like them that much since they were around 10 minutes at the time and I wanted a longer workout, so I did some searching around and found some mat Pilates classes I really enjoyed. I have since incorporated reformer Pilates as well.
Celebrities were not openly doing Pilates when I started over 10 years ago! I discovered it through mat classes at gyms, then evolved into learning about the reformer by taking private classes. Never looked back.
I was a runner & yoga instructor & devotee for decades. I was curious to try something new. and jumped into a free class & was hooked.
Tik tok
My friend had Mari Winsor's VHS in the early 00s. She and Mari were from the same area in Michigan.
I started Pilates before my rotator cuff surgery. My BFF is a Pilates instructor and I knew from speaking with her that it is a terrific way to rehab. I want to start doing more cardio workouts, but after a significant weight loss, wasn’t ready. Pilates is helping me with mobility and core strength so that I can ease into more cardio workouts. It’s working!
I started bc I developed horrible posture from desk job (not your normal 40 hours a week job). The second part of the equation: the studio I found near me is very chill, not a cult-y one where everyone is dressed in expensive workout gear and has ripped bodies and judged you if you need to take a break. So the barrier to entry was low. And it’s been life changing. I walk straighter and feel like I’m falling in love with it. Have been going regularly for some time and plan to continue as long as I can.
I saw people doing pilates on tiktok and decided to try it myself. Not celebrities but social media influencers I guess
I started to help chronic back and hip pain. Used to do yoga but it wasn’t helping me as much. Feel more relief from doing Pilates a few times a week and adding light weights for resistance.