Pilates is just a trend?

Pilates instructor Amanda Hunt teaching a reformer class in New York City.

Pilates is one of the biggest trends right now. You can put the word “Pilates” on anything and people will eat it up like a big plate of jerk chicken cooked on wood fire paired with a fat slice of hard dough bread and a ginger beer. Yes Fada God thank yuh Jesus. Whew. Where was I…

Oh! Studios are opening everywhere, and many of the people launching them are not instructors themselves. I’m curious to see how that shapes the industry long term, especially when it comes to hiring, standards, and the integrity of the work. 

I cannot help but wonder when the bubble will…pop. Pilates has been around forever, of course. It’s not new. But like most things that trend hard, the hype will eventually soften.

When I am teaching, I can feel the difference. There are clients who show up to move, to connect, to understand their bodies and experience the benefits of Pilates. Then there are clients who are there for the aesthetic, for the Instagram or tik tok “day in the life” video, for the “I did Pilates” flex, without really wanting to know what the method is or what it is designed to do.

And don’t get me wrong, that’s fine too. We all have to start somewhere. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what gets you moving as long as you’re taking steps to care for your health.

I truly believe that once you try Pilates, you’ll fall in love and keep coming back, even if that wasn’t your intention in the first place. Even though it’s a trend now, it’s a trend that’s getting more people moving and grooving and learning more about their bodies. That’s a pretty good habit to have.

So maybe the bubble won’t pop so much as it will settle. The cameras might fade, the hype might quiet down, but the work will still be here steady, intentional, and waiting for the people who are ready to truly feel it. 

So whether you came for the vibes, the aesthetic, or because your homegirls dragged you to class, I’m just glad you showed up. Because somewhere between the springs, the mat, the slow burn that turns into a leg shake or me reminding you to take that deep breath, something clicks. 

And when it does, you realize Pilates isn’t just something you did and want to get away from. It stays with you. Trends come and go, but a method that helps people move better, hurt less, and feel more at home in their bodies will always have a place, especially in my studio. And that’s the part I’m excited to keep helping you show up for.