My days are often spent clicking on random headlines or searching weird things I hear about, just to learn little nuggets of useless knowledge. But this morning, I opened an email with the headline, “Why do you do Pilates?” and I was intrigued. I found so many answers that I had to summarize and share them with you—because if you’re like me, you might also be looking for a new fitness routine to keep you active.
I know Pilates has been around since at least the 1990s because I actually bought some equipment and a video from a woman named Mari Winsor. I can’t remember much about her, but I think I tried it a couple of times and haven’t attempted Pilates since. (Side note: While researching, I found Mari’s story fascinating, so if you’re interested too, here’s a link to a brief story about her life.)
What Are the Most Common Reasons People Do Pilates?
After hearing the benefits these fitness enthusiasts rave about, you might find yourself searching for a nearby class—or at least a good instructor on YouTube. Here are the areas where Pilates lovers see improvement:
- Strength & Flexibility: Many people find Pilates builds strength without bulk and enhances flexibility, even after years of inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle. Apparently, Pilates is where gym-haters go to feel like superheroes.
- Mental Health: Engaging in Pilates helps with anxiety and depression and can even feel meditative. It takes incredible focus, making it easy to forget the world for an hour.
- Community & Motivation: For those lacking self-motivation, group classes or instructors keep them accountable and create a sense of community. I often hear how hard it is to make friends as an adult woman, so maybe Pilates is where we find “our people.”
- Injury Rehab: From back and hip pain caused by sitting all day (sound familiar?) to post-surgery recovery, Pilates is a gentle yet effective way to improve mobility and rebuild strength.

My Favorite Pilates Stories
I was surprised by the diversity of people who embrace Pilates. I’ll admit, I thought it was just for well-to-do stay-at-home moms already in the best shape of their lives. But these stories blew that stereotype out of the water:
- A weightlifter constantly dealing with pain and tightness in his back, legs, and hips joined Pilates. Regular practice made him more flexible and pain-free.
- A pandemic mom with toddlers found Pilates through an Instagram ad. She loved the convenience of practicing at home, and the consistent effort led to visible improvement in no time.
- A cancer survivor who underwent a double mastectomy regained mobility and reduced pain in her chest and shoulders through Pilates.
- A young woman with ADHD found that Pilates helped her focus and improved her mood. Unlike the gym, she didn’t dread showing up or participating in group classes.
These stories show that Pilates fits into many lives—whether you’re active, injured, or looking for better focus and mood.
What Makes Pilates Different?
I’ve tried gyms before and hated them. All those muscles in one place made me feel out of place, and I never knew what I was doing with the machines anyway. I even attempted Curves years ago (does that still exist?), but working out in a circle didn’t suit my introverted nature.
Pilates might be what finally sticks for me. Many people intimidated by traditional gyms say it’s a great alternative. It’s low impact but offers high rewards. The gains people mentioned—better posture, balance, stability, and strength—are hard to pass up.
But my favorite reason to try Pilates? One woman said she joined simply because people kept telling her how hard it was. She wanted to prove them wrong. Every session is a challenge, but she feels more confident after each one. Honestly, I could use a dose of that confidence as I head toward my 50s.
Is Pilates Right for You?
I hope you found this article interesting and feel a little more motivated to try Pilates. For us older folks with growing pains, low-impact exercises like this could be the solution we need. For remote workers stuck at desks all day, the promise of relief from back and hip pain sounds amazing. And for introverts like me, Pilates offers a chance to get out of the house, meet people, and focus on something other than work or overthinking.
I didn’t plan to research Pilates today. It caught my eye, and I got hooked learning about it. I’m not an expert, and I can’t confirm any of these claims personally—yet. But here’s my plan:
My Quick-Start Plan for Pilates
- Get a Mat: Find a quiet spot at home where you can focus on yourself.
- Find a Beginner-Friendly Instructor: Search YouTube or social media for recommendations.
- Commit to Consistency: Try Pilates twice a week for a month and track your progress. (I can make a progress tracker if you’re interested—just let me know in the comments!)
- Explore Reformer Pilates: If you love the practice, look for a studio offering classes with “jungle gym” machines.
Final Thoughts
Thanks for taking the time to read what I learned today! I’d love to hear your experiences with Pilates, whether you’re a pro or a beginner. If anyone needs an accountability partner, I’m here! Comment below, send me a message, or just share your Pilates story.
Talk soon!
