The Shocking Truth About Reformer Pilates: Is It Really the Secret Weapon for 85% of Fit Celebrities?

With over 2.5 million posts on TikTok under the hashtag #pilates, the fitness discipline has evolved into a lifestyle for many. It's no longer just a workout; it has captured the imagination of a new generation of fitness enthusiasts. According to insights from Gym Equipment, London and Manchester are the UK’s leading cities for Pilates popularity, reflecting a growing trend that has crossed the Atlantic to the United States.

Pilates has become a sensation beyond just wellness—it's also an aesthetic trend. Google searches for “Pilates girl” have surged by an astounding 6,300 percent since the beginning of the year, signaling a growing desire to embody this lifestyle. With celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Lori Harvey, Kourtney Kardashian, and even Harry Styles being spotted on the Reformer, Pilates is trending globally.

Yet, despite its newfound fame, Pilates is not a modern invention. The method was developed by German-born Joseph Pilates, a circus performer, boxer, and self-defense instructor. His journey began while serving as an orderly in an Isle of Man hospital, where he started using springs attached to beds to help patients regain mobility—a precursor to the Reformer machines we know today. Pilates once articulated his vision, saying, “

I invented all these machines... it resists your movements in just the right way so those inner muscles really have to work against it. That way, you can concentrate on movement. You must always do it slowly and smoothly. Then your whole body is in it.

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From Recovery to Strength: A Personal Journey

For Marsha Lindsay, founder of Nobu Pilates, her journey with Pilates began as a path to recovery and quickly became much more. “Before I discovered Pilates, I had always been active and used to train in kickboxing, which I even competed in tournaments for. I had an injury from kickboxing, which led me to physiotherapy, where Pilates was recommended as a complementary training method,” Marsha recounts. “I realized how powerful it was in my very first session and became hooked, not just for the recovery benefits, but also for building long-term strength, control, and longevity in movement.”

However, Marsha cautions against viewing Reformer Pilates in isolation. “I believe the origin of this positioning is precisely in the wording. The term ‘Reformer Pilates’ is used so frequently that the method of Pilates is being diluted,” she explains. “Joseph Pilates did not focus on and glorify the reformer on its own; he ensured your training engaged with all the apparatus to benefit overall alignment and strength.”

Despite its surge in popularity, she believes that the focus on the Reformer has overshadowed the authentic origins of Pilates. “Reformer has taken center stage, taking attention away from the broader picture in the Pilates journey,” she adds.

A Century-Old Method Resonating Today

Though Reformer Pilates has been around since the 1920s, it has regained relevance in today's fitness landscape. “Joseph Pilates was a man way ahead of his time,” Marsha notes. “The discussions we are now having around longevity, mobility, recovery, and posture were all part of his mission.”

With a growing awareness about health and wellness, Pilates remains integral to contemporary fitness culture. “It synchronizes with the current public mindset around health and well-being,” she adds.

The benefits of Pilates often extend beyond the initial aesthetic appeal. “One of my favorite observations lies in the beauty of the clients at Nobu Pilates and the comparison of their ‘why’ when they start the journey versus when they are fully immersed. I will always enjoy watching the drive change from a dominantly aesthetic reason to a deeper and personal anatomical or strength goal,” Marsha explains.

She emphasizes the foundational impact of Pilates: “We like to educate and empower our clients to understand that Pilates is the foundation of everything you do regarding movement, and encourage them to continue other movement modalities. This is the exact mission Joseph had. He did not create the Pilates method to substitute those training commitments but to enhance them.”

Ultimately, whether drawn to Pilates for recovery, strength, or simply the joy of mindful movement, its enduring legacy is clear. As the Reformer garners attention, the foundational principles laid out by Joseph Pilates continue to shape bodies, improve lives, and inspire movement for generations to come.