While Pilates is an accessible form of exercise for anyone of any age, ability level, or gender, it has commonly been thought of as being geared more toward women. While Pilates was created by a man for men, it was quickly picked up by women, too. The reason for this is multifold: women tend to be more active in general, especially in social settings such as fitness classes. Now, however, Pilates for men has hit its stride, and male participation is rising to new heights thanks to the way that Pilates was originally created for men.
Why the sudden change? It’s a combination of multiple factors, including increased awareness and a greater comprehension of the many benefits they can reap from Pilates classes—not all of which are purely physical.
Here are some of the many reasons why more men are embracing Pilates.
The Increase in Male Participation in Pilates
Men are more interested in Pilates than ever. Many studios have reported their male participation rate has increased by as much as 71% since 2022 when in-person classes began to reopen after COVID.
Some of the reasons men are now taking a greater interest in Pilates come down to how it helps with the following:
Boosts Community
Surveys indicate that compared to women, men are disproportionately more likely to have small social circles. As many as 15% of men say they have no close friends at all, yet maintaining a social life is essential to staying happy.
Research indicates that enjoying a communal bond increases positive health outcomes and can mitigate issues ranging from heart disease to all-cause mortality.
Pilates is an opportunity for men from all walks of life to meet together in a shared space for a common goal—a chance that seems increasingly rare as men see a steady rise in their adult responsibilities toward work and family over time.
Pilates is a great way to meet new people. Since everyone is doing the same thing, there is already common ground to share struggles and identify similar viewpoints that could be the start of friendships.
Even if you don’t find your best friend in a Pilates class, men can enjoy improvements in their mental health simply by speaking to other people outside their family consistently.
Increases Lifetime Health
Pilates is tied to numerous favorable health outcomes which are especially important for men. Men face a higher rate of mortality from all causes compared to women, which is why there is a gap of as many as six years in life expectancy between women and men.
However, studies also show that Pilates is an invaluable resource for closing this gap. Because men see an increase in cardiovascular health, respiratory fitness, and more with Pilates, they can keep their bodies strong and healthy in the effort to reduce their risk of premature death due to preventable conditions such as high blood pressure.
Decreases the Risk of Injury
Medical professionals have noted over many years that, on average, men have around 10 degrees less extension in their hamstrings than women. This translates to an increase in the likelihood they will suffer injuries of the leg.
Pilates targets flexibility and adaptability, making the body more adequately prepared for sudden changes in movement. By nurturing this increased range of motion, men can decrease their risk of injury and enjoy more complete and unburdened activity.
Targets the Full Range of Muscles
Many men opt for weightlifting as their exercise of choice, and studies even support that intense strength training is more popular among men than women. However, even weightlifting targeted to all areas of the body cannot achieve complete efficacy for all muscles.
Weightlifting works the bulk but struggles to benefit smaller muscles or those responsible for minute adjustments in muscle use and response time.
This is where Pilates fits in. Men are discovering that they can better achieve their fitness goals by focusing on muscle development and training their bodies to become more stable and responsive.
Pilates supplements a weightlifting program by hitting the muscle groups and motions largely absent from most weightlifting sets.
Try Pilates for Men at RTR Pilates!
While women have long known the power of Pilates, more men are discovering why it is so popular. Whether you have already invested in a complete exercise regimen every week or you are looking for a new way to get active, Pilates offers numerous benefits for participants of any age or level of ability.
Our instructors understand how to guide both men and women to achieve greater levels of physical well-being. Contact RTR Pilates today to meet our instructors and sign up for a Pilates class!
