Pilates Teacher Association – Position Statement on Comprehensive Pilates and Reformer Fitness
The global Pilates & yoga studios market size is projected to grow from USD 161.98 billion in 2024 to USD 430.87 billion by 2034, at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 10.47% (reduced from 11.5% anticipated), according to a new report by Polaris Market Research.
Class Pass, the world’s largest fitness class booking platform, stated in their 2025 ‘Look Back Report’ “that (Reformer) Pilates continued its reign as the most-booked workout globally in 2025, fuelled by its strong social media presence and devoted following. This marks the third consecutive year Pilates has claimed the top spot.” The report also shows that in 2025 Pilates had an 66% increase in bookings year on year. With increasing health awareness and a shift in focus towards low impact fitness regimes that prioritise a balance of physical and mental health. this trend has led to the opening of thousands of new Reformer studios globally each year. This this surge in demand may have increased diversity in participation in activities on a reformer with “Pilates” as a suffix, however, as claims for health improvement are made for Pilates, differentiation must be made to allow the public to more clearly discern the differences.
The benefits of Pilates
Pilates is often cited in academic research as a type of exercise that produces therapeutic benefits and can help people with common ailments such as non-specific back pain, postpartum recovery, and even pre or re-hab (rehabilitation) for surgeries (Byrnes et al., 2018).. However, the evidence base is scant as the methodologies do not always state what is being taught in name of Pilates (Lewitt et al., 2019) with peer reviewers often not experts in Pilates although observations around methodology, heterogeneity, ( variability) bias, are identified (Cronin et al., 2023; Haseli et al., 2024; Patti et al., 2024) .The consensus appear to be that there is low / little to no evidence that activities with Pilates, Pilates based and generic fitness activities carrying the name “Pilates” in the methodology may provide benefits to a broad population base including neurological conditions.(Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Health and Aged Care, 2024). However, as the fitness industry continues to grow and evolve, drawing in single aspects of the system of Pilates, such as the reformer as a standalone group activity, a critical distinction must be made between highly qualified Comprehensive Pilates teachers and those offering limited or misclassified services, such as fitness Pilates” and “chair Pilates” and “Reformer fitness.”
The education and training process in Pilates and Pilates based activities
Comprehensive Pilates teachers undergo extensive training under the supervision of long time qualified and experienced (5-10 years) Comprehensive teachers in specialised Pilates schools. It is often described as an “apprenticeship” aligning with the handing down of skills and knowledge in other physical trades. Theoretical components such as anatomy and physiology, health and safety, and customer care among others are included. These teacher apprentices accumulate between 400-700 hrs of supervised practice teaching, observation and physical practice of Joe Pilates complete method on all apparatus, not limited to, but including the Reformer. Apprentices/trainees teachers work with a variety of bodies, learning how to both adapt and challenge each exercise to the individual’s needs based on the client’s competencies, injuries, chronic conditions, athletic endeavours, and/or goals. Once competencies are gained, apprentice/trainees write an in-depth exam including one or more practical assessments of teaching, a (or several) written exam or case study, and a demonstration of their own physical practice of Pilates. Expectations and standard for course delivery in specialist Pilates schools have been defined globally by independent Pilates bodies such as Pilates Association Australia, Pilates Teacher Association, and Federation of Pilates Professionals in France. However, these countries also have been pigeonholed into specific theoretical content relative to generic group fitness and strength training which may have limited relevance in comprehensive Pilates practice.
These benefits discussed in literature may be more evident when Pilates and Pilates based activities on apparatus and/or mat are clearly defined and taught by well-trained practitioners who are familiar with the complete method of physical conditioning designed by Joseph Pilates having received in depth training and assessment through specialised Pilates education providers (Dent et al., 2024; Lee, 2021; Mendonça et al., 2013; Rogers & Gibson, 2009).
Reformer training/ Pilates Based training
In stark contrast to the depth and integrity of Comprehensive Pilates education, “Reformer fitness” instructors may only possess minimal training, often completing 2–4-day, short courses using only a Reformer or Reformer based machine and requiring no “apprenticeship” hours; These courses can be delivered online with video recorded assessment and do not prepare teachers to safely work with people who have varying physical abilities. Due to the demand for Reformer services, fitness sector qualification awarding bodies are now generating off the shelf qualifications, without consultation with the specialist independent Pilates bodies, adding individual modules in “reformer” to theory intended for Pilates based matwork in the fitness sector to validate “qualification” on the reformer. These courses may obtain external endorsement within the physical activity sector in an attempt to give perception of quality, safety and effectiveness. Further, there is no legal requirement to have a regulated qualification to obtain insurance.
There is very real safety concerns present in large group reformer fitness classes when people who are unfamiliar with the equipment and exercises participate under the ‘guidance’ or poorly trained teachers. Many of these ‘Reformer Fitness’ studios offer choreographed routines set to music, rather than exercises taught to the individual needs of the clients present. While these instructors may offer enjoyable fitness experiences getting more people active, and we fully support this, they do not encompass the full spectrum of Joseph Pilates’ comprehensive method of over 500 exercises on multiple pieces of large and small apparatus. A framework for activities named Pilates was further detailed in this commentary (Lewitt and McPherson,2024). These discrepancies raise concerns about safety and efficacy, particularly for clients seeking genuine Pilates benefits, and for health care practitioners referring patients to Pilates. Trading Standards in the UK have called for greater control of the sector. Thus, we believe that there is sufficient evidence to call for these classes, any associated qualifications and endorsement to be aptly named as Reformer Fitness and remove any reference to ‘Pilates’.
The Future of activities named Pilates
The need for clarity and delineation of Pilates practice within the Fitness industry is paramount to better serve the public and uphold the integrity of the Pilates method. The Pilates Teacher Association advocates to distinguish qualified Comprehensive Pilates Teachers from instructors offering limited fitness services named “Pilates” thus creating distinct occupational roles. This will help increase consumer protection and ability to choose between the very different modalities of Comprehensive Pilates, Reformer Fitness, and other services named “Pilates”. This clarity would also assist in the development of occupational standards among Comprehensive Pilates Teachers not only in the United Kingdom but globally.
While “regulation” may seem attractive, in a global survey, comprehensive Teachers expressed concern over who would regulate (Lewitt et al.,2019). The Pilates Teacher Association believes that any proposals for regulation in the Physical activity, and natural healthcare, and well-being sector should be openly discussed. The lead stakeholders are Comprehensive Pilates teachers are best placed to consider development of the profession and to choose which regulatory sector best fits their individual practices dependent upon the students who purchase their services. Any discussions towards National Occupational Standards and occupation code would include additional stakeholders such as brands, awarding bodies, and other regulated professional bodies who use the term ”Pilates” . The academic base in health interventions related to Pilates, recognition of Pilates as a natural “therapy” in Australia, cannot be ignored along with the spiralling use/misuse of the prefix “clinical” and “therapeutic” with the word Pilates. Joseph Pilates may have written in 1957 that “..Pilates is neither physical therapy nor specifically corrective…” (Strack & Craig, 2014) however, the testimonials in the same booklet contain experiences claiming cures from physical and mental ailments. Let’s celebrate that so many more people are using a reformer and continue to discuss the future of Comprehensive Pilates Practice, in fitness or in health or both.
Authors
Cara Hazelton
Director and Board Member Pilates Teacher Association (voting)
Pilates Teacher Association Member (Voting)
Lesley McPherson, BA hons Psychology with Sport
Director Pilates Teacher Association (non-voting)
Associate member Pilates Teacher Association (non-voting)
Editor
Gayle Hogarth BA
Director and Board Member Pilates Teacher Association (voting)
Pilates Teacher Association Member (Voting)
Reviewers
- Professor Moira Lewitt
Chair Pilates Teacher Association
- Megan Macgregor Board member Pilates Teacher Association
References
Byrnes, K. M., Wu, P.-J. M., & Whillier, S. P. (2018). Is Pilates an effective rehabilitation tool? A systematic review. J Bodyw Mov Ther, 22(1), 192-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.04.008
Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Health and Aged Care). (2024). Natural Therapies Review 2024 – Review of the Australian Government Rebate on Natural Therapies for Private Health Insurance. Retrieved from https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/natural-therapies-review-2024-report-and-recommendations.pdf
Cronin, E., Broderick, P., Clark, H., & Monaghan, K. (2023). What are the effects of pilates in the post stroke population? A systematic literature review & meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. J BODYW MOV THER, 33, 223-232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.09.028
Dent, M., McPherson, L., & Lewitt, M. S. (2024). Effect of the ‘Pilates stance’ and Pilates-based matwork training on measurements of height, waist circumference, and interscapular distance. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 39, 550-557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.02.047
Haseli, A., Eghdampour, F., Zarei, H., Karimian, Z., & Rasoal, D. (2024). Optimizing labor duration with pilates: evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC PREGNANCY CHILDB, 24(1), 573-512. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06785-5
Lee, K. (2021). The relationship of trunk muscle activation and core stability: A biomechanical analysis of pilates-based stabilization exercise. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18(23), 12804. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312804
Lewitt, M. S., McPherson, L., & Stevenson, M. (2019). Development of a Pilates Teaching Framework from an international survey of teacher practice. Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies, 23(4), 943-949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.02.005
Lewitt MS, McPherson LA (2024) ‘Pilates’ in 2024: Useful Clinical Tool or Commercial Catchphrase? J Altern Complement Integr Med 10: 497.
Mendonça, T. M., PT, PhD,, Terreri, M. T. M., PhD, Silva, C. H. M., PhD, Bernardino Neto, M. D., Pinto , R. M. P., Natour, J. M., PhD, & Len, C. A. M., PhD. (2013). Effects of Pilates exercises on health-related quality of life in individuals with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 94(11), 2093.
Patti, A., Thornton, J. S., Giustino, V., Drid, P., Paoli, A., Schulz, J. M.,…Bianco, A. (2024). Effectiveness of Pilates exercise on low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. DISABIL REHABIL, 46(16), 3535-3548. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2251404
Rogers, K., & Gibson, A. L. (2009). Eight-Week Traditional Mat Pilates Training-Program Effects on Adult Fitness Characteristics. RES Q EXERCISE SPORT, 80(3), 569-574. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2009.10599595
Strack, C., & Craig, C. J. (2014). Return to Life Through Contrology. In. Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA.
