25/08/2026
In fact, Pilates practice has gone full circle.
When Joseph Pilates began developing his method in the 1920s, his work was predominantly practised by men. But by the 1960s, female dancers had discovered his method as a powerful tool for injury prevention and improved performance, and they began attending his New York studio in increasing numbers.
Over the following decades, Pilates became strongly associated with dance and, consequently, with women. By the 1980s and 90s, relatively few men outside the dance world were practising it.
But as Pilates grew beyond the dance world and studios began opening across the globe, the trend slowly started to shift.
Male participation in Pilates reportedly increased by 20% between 2017 and 2022, and at Encore we’ve seen a significant increase in men joining our classes over the past few years.
And with today’s professional sportsmen using Pilates to enhance performance, improve mobility and support rehabilitation, it’s no surprise that men in general are discovering what Joseph Pilates knew all along….
Pilates is for everybody.
