As I was gearing up for my pre-work Reformer class at 1Rebel Broadgate, an unusual sight caught my eye. The typical all-female attendance was not so; a male was in our midst. My surprise led almost instantaneously to the next thought: why was this not more commonplace?
The low-intensity workout has reached a fever pitch in the UK in the past couple of years: stats from Pure Gym show Pilates securing three of the top 20 fitness trends for 2024. It was created by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s but its recent popularity is down to its extensive celebrity fanbase. Miley Cyrus credits the practice for her sculpted arms, while Hailey Bieber waxes lyrical about hot Pilates for her toned physique. And while Justin Bieber, Harry Styles and Cristiano Ronaldo have documented their interest on social media, it’s yet to take off in a major way among fitness-loving fellas.
