The future of Pilates is being blurred…from the inside

EDITORIAL

Just a few years ago, Pilates and Yoga were easily confused by the general public. Granted, there are recognisable shapes within some exercises, but we know Pilates draws inspiration from many sources and so it doesn’t replicate any one influence. The inventor of the method Joseph Pilates himself explained that Contrology “is the complete coordination of mind, body and spirit” and that it is “not a system of haphazard exercises designed to produce only bulging muscles”*. It begs the question many of us have posed before…Just how well has this legacy been maintained? Are we witnessing the shift of Pilates as we’ve known it, towards yet another class marketed around altering appearances? Is Pilates and traditional training morphing into one? 

The Pilates system was one of the first to integrate mind and body toward the goal of creating and maintaining optimal wellbeing and it stands separately to other modalities in intention, method and result. Until now, any misconception about Pilates had always come from the outside looking in. Sure, there has been internal debate between ‘classical’ and ‘contemporary’ teachers regarding exercise order, creative modifications and the like, but the big-picture aims were rarely far apart. The importance of control, the role of breath, the aim to concentrate on precision and the ability to work from your centre were always of utmost importance whilst mastering its unique and specific repertoire. Nothing in the method is by chance and despite a court ruling that Pilates is a generic form of exercise, to this day Pilates has held its shape over time. 

Now, the distinctive characteristics of Pilates are blurring from the inside. Teachers, studio owners and entrepreneurs have realised the untapped potential of moving Pilates out of its niche and into the multibillion dollar global mainstream fitness industry. The events of the past few years have made this an effortless achievement. Social ‘lockdowns’ elevated the perceived importance of exercise for overall health and wellbeing from which grew displaced fitness communities. The demand for online workouts soared and industry professionals from all backgrounds began to market and sell bodyweight movement of all kinds as Pilates. Weights, plyometric exercises and circuits soon followed and a brand new approach to the method had been born, sometimes without an actual Pilates exercise in sight. 

Is it necessary to question these changes? After all, if clients are satisfied with Pilates as it is presented to them nowadays and professionals are profiting from its popularity, it’s a win-win. Another positive outcome of this shift has been the expansion of the audience watching the Pilates space, which has broadened its appeal and subsequent demographic, ultimately benefiting teachers. The void that Pilates originally filled in giving people an opportunity to practice specific skills which address the whole being in pursuit of longevity may not be as universally appealing. The original sequences of movement can be frustratingly difficult in their technicalities, the effects and results are accumulated over time and the development of smaller muscles prioritises feeling over looking good despite the eventual physical benefits. It’s a hard sell, next to the marketable notion of sculpting one’s body with less intricate primal moves which, when performed in high repetitions ‘burn’. Instantly feeling the effects of a simple sweaty workout has overshadowed the building of more complex skills, ability and knowledge in lessons over time. 

Of late, headlines like ABC’s “Pilates Injuries Are On The Rise” have gained significant attention, fueling growing concerns about the safety of Pilates. The longstanding association between Pilates and physical therapy has led clients to place a level of trust in their instructors comparable to that in healthcare providers. While it's beyond our professional scope to independently diagnose or treat pain or medical conditions, it's reasonable for clients to expect comprehensive and ongoing training as a fundamental aspect of professional service. For many of us, this commitment to continuous learning forms the bedrock of our careers. Hence, the question arises: is the reported increase in Pilates-related injuries proportionate with the surge in Pilates' popularity, or has the rapid expansion of the industry paved the way for underqualified instructors and Pilates-adjacent businesses leveraging the reputable Pilates name? Many voices advocate for the introduction of regulations to establish clear boundaries within our evolving industry which will hopefully safeguard the dedicated work of Pilates teachers who’ve come before us. 

One immediate path forward involves using this new spotlight to educate clients about what Pilates is, how it differs from other training styles, and why it can enhance rather than replace them. The problem is, the most influential leaders in the industry today are not necessarily the most experienced, meaning those with the biggest reach can sometimes drown out the voices of those with the most valuable knowledge. Consequently, the industry's integrity remains vulnerable on multiple fronts. Reigning this in is about resisting the urge to succumb to trends, both as professionals and as customers. Classical and modern progressive Pilates, with its creative exploration of ways to make original exercises attainable, needn’t be bullied out of the market. There is an option to educate the public about the distinct feeling and benefits of maintaining the nuances of Pilates and persist in pursuing professional development to standardise quality in the industry. In doing so, we have the opportunity to preserve what has been a standalone pillar in the fitness space. 

Pilates is absolutely strength building, but that’s just one aspect of its intention. The mind-body connection associated with the often subtle muscular connections teaches us self awareness that spills out away from the Pilates studio. Can it be argued that any movement carried out with control, concentration and precision is ‘Pilates’? Or is eliminating the often extreme ranges and planes of movement specific to original repertoire, to opt for more ‘doable’ movement across the board missing the point? If we stick with chest lifts and pulse lunges without challenging people to regain the natural functionality of their bodies in a systematic method, then it’s halfway to being just another gym workout. Add dumbbells, kettlebells and cardio circuits, and Pilates is truly lost.

Renee Siljeg’s passion for Pilates began in 2009 and her teaching career soon followed, working within a busy studio in Perth before opening her own space in 2017. Drawn towards the development of new instructors, Renee is now working on online courses and teacher mentoring.