20/02/2025
The following was posted today by Michael King - who I personally trained with over 25 yrs ago in London. There are many variations of pilates & trends we have seen come and go. I have always stuck with the traditional method. Michael explains why this is so important . In particular , why we focus on repetition . Please read when you get a moment 🙂
The Misinterpretation of Pilates: The Danger of Losing the Method
The fitness world is no stranger to trends, but what happens when the essence of a method is diluted in the pursuit of modernisation? Recently, I came across a statement from the biggest educational organisation in the USA discussing Pilates Reformers: “Gone are the days of rigid, repetitive routines; today’s Pilates is dynamic, engaging, and seriously hard.”
At first glance, it sounds exciting, progressive even. But beneath the surface, this statement reveals a profound misunderstanding of what Pilates is and why it has endured for nearly a century.
Repetition is the Key to Change
Pilates, at its core, is about discipline, structure, and precision. The so-called “rigid, repetitive routines” are not an outdated remnant of the past—they are the very foundation of what makes Pilates effective. Repetition allows the body to learn, adapt, and change. Without it, movement lacks progression, and true transformation is lost.
The same mistake happened with step training. Step aerobics became popular because of its structured, repetitive nature, which effectively conditioned the body. Over time, however, fitness trends took over, turning step classes into high-energy dance routines where the step became a mere prop rather than the core tool of the workout. The result? The effectiveness of step training was diluted to the point where it became unrecognisable.
Now, the same is happening to Pilates.
The Risk of Losing the Method
When Pilates is stripped of its disciplined structure in favour of high-intensity, fast-paced, or constantly varied movements, it ceases to be Pilates. The method’s longevity is not due to its ability to entertain, but to its ability to support and transform the body. The very principles that make it work—control, breath, centring, precision, flow, and concentration—are undermined when we prioritise making it “seriously hard” over making it functionally beneficial.
Creativity in teaching is essential, and anyone who knows me knows that I embrace innovation. But true creativity in Pilates does not mean abandoning the method’s foundational discipline. It means working within its framework to refine movement, deepen understanding, and enhance results. Without that structure, Pilates loses its purpose and, ultimately, its effectiveness.
A Call to Protect the Method
Pilates does not need to be “rebranded” to remain relevant. The reason it has lasted for decades is because it works. Those of us who have dedicated our lives to this method have a responsibility to ensure that its core principles are upheld, rather than watered down to fit the latest fitness trend.
Trends come and go, but discipline, consistency, and structure will always be the backbone of any effective training method. Pilates is not about being the hardest workout in the room; it is about being the most intelligent and transformative one. Let’s not allow the industry to forget that.
