When Joseph Pilates founded the technique from a New York studio back in 1926, he couldn’t have foreseen how, almost 100 years later, Pilates workouts would have moved from a largely dancer-specific, recovery-based sweat session to what is essentially the workout of the modern era. A bold claim, you might think, but researchers predict the already hugely popular market will more than double in size over the next decade.
And with good reason: Pilates' explosion in popularity is manifold. A cult celebrity following (Harry Styles, Jennifer Aniston and Hailey Bieber are all fans) adds kudos and allure, while the science-backed benefits of Pilates are impossible to ignore. Studies – such as this one, published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness – consistently show that Pilates benefits not only physical health, but also improves quality of life.
