What The Pilates Mom Stereotype Gets Wrong

It’s safe to say that Pilates has been having a moment. It has been the top-booked workout globally on ClassPass for the last two years running. There seems to be a dedicated studio in every urban neighbourhood, plus all the fusion, movement, yoga facilities and health clubs also offering the modality. To say Pilates is popular would be an understatement.

But even though everyone seems to be doing it, there’s still this lingering belief that it’s not for everyone. On social media, Pilates content frequently appears fussy and traditional, and at worst, exclusive. It often comes down to a specific aesthetic: modern Instagram-friendly studios, matching workout sets and long, lithe bodies.

“The Pilates mom stereotype tends to reduce a very sophisticated movement system down to a narrow lifestyle image — and that’s limiting,” says Holly Ferguson, a lead instructor trainer with STOTT PILATES, a Toronto-based program that is considered one of the world’s most prestigious. “Pilates isn’t about a look or label; it’s about how you move through your life. Many people come to Pilates for aesthetic reasons but stay for how it improves the way they move, feel and function over time,” she says.

If you’re a parent who has ever felt like you don’t quite fit into the Pilates mom stereotype, or are too intimidated to even join a class, this is for you.

Don’t you have to be really fit to handle Pilates?

Nope. In fact, this workout modality is accessible for people of all fitness levels. And it’s a perfect exercise to take up postpartum. During pregnancy, the body undergoes major changes, of course, including a shift in centre of gravity, a lengthening of abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, and postural changes that continue after the birth, as you feed and care for an infant. “Pilates can be an incredibly supportive form of movement in the postpartum period because it allows women to reconnect with their body in a way that feels controlled, intentional and manageable,” says Alyce Luczak, the operations and onboarding specialist for STRONG Pilates Canada.

That said, Pilates is not an easy workout—even though you do it lying down. If you’ve ever found yourself on a mat or reformer machine, fighting for your life to complete the Hundreds—where you lie on your back with straight legs lifted at an angle, neck and shoulders curled up, as you pump outstretched arms at your sides to a count of 100—you know what we’re talking about. “When it’s taught well, it’s actually incredibly challenging because it asks for precision, control and deep connection,” says Ariel Swan, a master Pilates instructor and co-founder of Jaybird Studios with locations in Toronto and Vancouver.

Working on that deeper stabilizing system is what translates into less-obvious benefits, like improved coordination, better balance, and greater mobility. “Another benefit people may not expect is increased body awareness,” says Ferguson. “Pilates helps people better understand how they move and can lead to reduced pain, improved posture and greater confidence in movement,” she says. After all, the goal is a strong, supportive core, not just flat abs.

Is it only for one body type?

Pilates has somehow become equated with thinness, even though it’s not the most efficient workout for weight loss because it doesn’t burn that many calories. Still, there’s this lingering misconception that Pilates is designed for petite women who look a certain way, that you need to be slight to operate a reformer machine, not to mention rich and white. “This is outdated, and honestly, misses the entire point of the practice,” says Swan. “Pilates was originally developed by Joseph Pilates for rehabilitation and strength, and was used by athletes, dancers and even soldiers. It was never meant for one type of body,” she says. Joe Pilates was a German boxer who immigrated to the United States in the 1920s, bringing with him a unique and experimental take on fitness.

While the bodies we see associated with Pilates on TikTok are often linked with obsessive dedication, you don’t have to go all-in to enjoy it, either. “In reality, Pilates is a highly effective form of strength training that can be adapted for all fitness levels, body types and goals,” says Luczak. “One of the clearest signs that we’re breaking down these misconceptions is that our male demographic has doubled globally in the past year,” she says. That’s right, it’s for dads, too.

But isn’t a Pilates practice expensive?

At many Toronto and Vancouver studios, a group reformer or mat class will cost you between $25 and $50, while an unlimited studio membership could run you more than $400 per month. But the same could be said for any other type of niche workout or boutique health club.

And you don’t need one-on-one instruction or even group classes to get moving. If you’re practising solo at home or in the movement room at your gym, all you need is a mat.

The addition of a solid app experience can guide you through the core moves and elevate your workout. Popular downloads include The Pilates Class, which features workouts for all levels, Merrithew, makers of the premium equipment used by STOTT PILATES, FitOn, which boasts a library of free classes, and Alo Moves, if you also dabble in yoga.

In short, if you like to plank, lunge, stretch and strengthen, Pilates could be the workout for you because it can be whatever you make of it. “I think the Pilates mom stereotype simplifies something that’s actually much deeper,” says Swan. “Pilates isn’t an aesthetic, it’s a practice.”