Mat Pilates, Reformer Pilates, Hot Pilates: all seem to have taken young women by storm. Lunch dates have been swapped for Pilates dates, bikinis for Alo Yoga sets and bracelets for Bala Bangles, making Pilates a hub for bonding with girlfriends.
“I like Pilates because I feel like it’s an easy way to get exercise that I enjoy doing. I think it’s fun and I like working muscles that I don’t usually work,” Miami Palmetto Senior High senior Leslie Sullivan said.
Instead of focusing on lifting weights, Pilates strengthens the body by building resistance through gravity. Founded in 1920 by Joseph Pilates during World War 1, it has been proven to improve muscle endurance, flexibility and dynamic balance. In turn, it strengthens muscle activation, reduces stress and enhances mindfulness.
“Especially in a world where lifting is such a big deal, I think we forget the importance of just simply moving our bodies,” MPSH senior Madison Williams said.
Pilates initially gained popularity in the late 1980s, as Hollywood stars began to pick up and it hit the mainstream media.
Now, the popularity of the workout can be attributed to the “Pilates princess” trend that went viral on TikTok. Classes are full of people with a fresh slick-back ponytail, wearing a stylish two-piece workout set with a tote bag and overpriced coffee in hand, in an effort to make exercising fun and aesthetic.
Perhaps one of the biggest draws of Pilates is the fashion.
“I love a good set. I have a really cute one from Alo. Set Active has a lot of cute ones. I’ve seen a few really cute ones on Amazon,” Williams said.
Oftentimes, Pilates is not a singular activity. People attend classes with their friends and family, creating a strong bond while getting a good workout in.
“I think working out together is such a fun thing to do. We all experience the struggles of not being able to do it right and practicing,” Sullivan said.
For Williams, Pilates is the perfect way to spend time with her younger sister. For her sister’s birthday, the two of them, alongside their mother, plan to take a class together to celebrate the special day.
“I usually go with my sister … We share our misery on the reformer, and then we’ll go and get coffee or something after,” Williams said.
Whether it is at LifeTime Gym, TruFusion, SolidCore or another studio, Pilates is universally recognized as a healthy, fun workout and a space for friendships to be made.
