Why Do So Few Men Practice Pilates?
Studios of Pilates are primarily filled with training women. But Pilates was created for both men and women – so where does this disparity come from? No matter how you look at it, the creator of this method – Joseph Pilates – was also a man. So what is really going on here?
Perception of a man as a strongman
Yes, it may indeed be about mentality and attitude. A real man should be strong, muscular, and lift weights. He should also earn well, build a house, father a son, and plant a tree, and besides that, be a knight on a white horse and save some princess from an evil dragon. That’s how people categorize and create images of an ideal world in each other’s minds. And most try to conform to this. But is it right and justified?
In the world, there should indeed be certain norms and customs. But does a guy necessarily have to lift weights and spend hundreds of hours in the gym to call himself a real man? Not necessarily.
Because stereotypes are the most important!
As long as a man’s face shows the proverbial “blood, sweat, and tears,” his training can be considered truly masculine. Because when the training he starts to enjoy involves, for example, stretching exercises or cardio in the company of exercising women, he may risk “friendly” ridicule or being labeled with some “nice” tag like a casanova or a homosexual.
Any equipment in the gym will be fine as long as sweat is pouring in liters. And where one can relax, take various positions, and relate movement to dance – a man should not appear! After all, that’s already sufficient proof that he has changed his orientation…
Oh, this society, always looking for holes in everything. And unfortunately, the opinions of others often matter to us. I mean, a guy doing yoga? Zumba? Fitness? PILATES?! He will soon resemble those women in tight leotards and pink leggings.
Another circulating stereotype is the purpose of exercise. So why does a man go to the gym? Well, to build the best and biggest muscles. To show off to his friends and impress the fairer sex. So the exercises must be heavy and strength-based to quickly see the desired effect.
On the other hand, women usually aim for weight loss, body shape change, and overall fitness improvement, for which Pilates is perfect. However, besides that, Pilates helps improve motor coordination, takes care of the joints, and teaches accuracy, precision, and breath control. And men don’t want to think about that and rather consider it a waste of time.
A healthy mind in a healthy body
Fortunately, an increasing number of people are becoming more aware of their bodies and what they really need. More and more men are starting to realize that the stereotypes presented above are just a bunch of nonsense. Men (as well as women) are increasingly consciously choosing workouts for themselves, keeping their health and fitness as the guiding principle – rather than prioritizing pumped muscles.
Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a muscular build, but it’s good to do it wisely. And that wisdom is provided by Pilates training. Thanks to it, one can gain flexibility and agility and reduce the number of injuries. If someone delves deeper into Pilates, they will understand that these exercises – when performed correctly – are among the most difficult exercises in the world. Because they require not only muscle work but also mental effort. Because after properly preparing the body and mind, one can exercise and sculpt real muscles much more safely.
I am a graduate in Managerial Economics as well as Finance and Accounting, with a specialization in Marketing. Since 2018, I have been working as a Copywriter at Balanced Body, where I create marketing content for the fitness and Pilates industries. One of my particular strengths is translating complex topics into accessible language and accurately analyzing the needs of target audiences. Outside of work, I am passionate about fire shows and volleyball, which helps me better understand the needs of physically active people.