Not another 2023 Pilates trend list
Frances Cahill, Co-director of Pilates ITC shares what she hopes for the future of the Pilates industry.
Change in any industry is guaranteed; some hold more promise than others. If the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that the Pilates people are nimble – figuratively and literally. It would be all too easy to just write another “trend list” for Pilates in 2023; but I can’t predict how or if our industry will jettison things from last year or absorb new ones in the months to come. I do, however, have a wish list for the change I hope to see.
The Reformer is the undefeated champion of mainstream Pilates and it will continue, but it is exciting to see the full spectrum of apparatus including the Wunda Chair, Spine Corrector and Cadillac being woven into studio and online programs as a way to enhance movement and training diversity. While they’re not likely to hit Reformer cult-status this year, the adoption of a much wider range of apparatus speaks to a change in temperature and appetite in trainers and clients alike. People are starting to experience and believe in the benefits of the Method, and fitness providers are clocking onto the fact that the old school, one-size-fits-all, “fitness grind” approach isn’t what people actually want.
I believe that to help clients unlock the full expression of benefits from the Method, we need to approach Pilates as a holistic system of movement, rather than a “fitness means to an end”. For the most part, the marketing of Pilates as a fitness modality sells the Method short in terms of its health benefit, empowerment, community, inclusivity and, quite simply, the value of movement fun – for life. We want people to commit and trust the process; to get them there we need to paint a more accurate picture of the Method’s value.
The only way we can progress Pilates in this direction is to cultivate mutual respect and collaboration between the Pilates industry and other fitness and movement modalities. Remember, Contrology as a Method wasn’t a result of divine intervention: it was born of multi-modal influence. Pilates is the ultimate collaboration, it takes the best parts of a variety of movement styles and integrates them into one, complete system.
I’m not claiming Pilates as fundamentally superior to any other movement system or approach. As a teacher of teachers, it is important to ensure what we teach our Student Instructors (the curriculum) is informed by modern health and movement science so they can walk away with a comprehensive qualification that is meaningful in the world today. I believe a measured approach to change provides the greatest benefit to the Student Instructor and the client now and in the long term. However, this change can only eventuate when there is a mutual goal in mind, that goes beyond individual studios, businesses and instructors.
High on my industry wishlist is a greater appetite for interdisciplinary learning. We know Pilates lends itself to specialisation by integrating complementary modalities or sciences into the Method to enhance value for clients, but also to enhance career satisfaction for our Instructors. For this to happen, there needs to be a greater expression of interest from Instructors at the industry level.
The learning doesn’t end when you have your certificate in hand, in fact, the qualification is only the beginning. We’re always learning, in all ways; and it’s something to get excited about.
This excitement needs to come from within the industry, at all levels, but especially needs to be cultivated within newer Instructors who are still absorbing the knowledge learnt in their course. These early days of being an Instructor are a golden opportunity to add additional threads of knowledge, discover new areas of interest, and begin a journey of continuous learning. Instructors at this stage need encouragement that they are ready to go further to stand them in good stead for the rest of their careers.
There’s so much potential to grow and progress if we think beyond our own patch and lift each other up. At the very top of my wishlist is for greater mutual respect between industries; to keep raising the bar in the standard of Pilates education, and I welcome greater collaboration with other modalities. Most of all, keep fighting the good fight: showing our clients how to make the Method work for their bodies and have fun in the process.
Francis is the co-Director of Pilates International Training Centre (Pilates ITC) / Pilates Fitness Institute. You can learn more about Pilates ITC courses at www.pilatesitc.edu.au/