Pilates Deserves Better Science
Here’s how to read the research we do have (without needing a PhD)
A surgeon once asked me, “Why is Pilates so good for my patients? I’ve noticed they recover faster when they do Pilates.”
What would your answer be?
There are a lot of common responses floating around the internet. Some are misleading—like “get long and lean!” (it’s not a thing, that’s genetics). Others get overly cautious with phrases like “it strengthens your core to protect your back” (your back doesn’t need protecting—it needs to move well and be strong).
Over the years, I’ve settled on this:
“Pilates promotes balanced muscle development, core strength, and body awareness—all of which help people move better.”
But let’s be honest: that’s vague.
If we want Pilates to be taken seriously by doctors, physical therapists, and performance coaches, we have to speak their language. And their language is science.
When you start digging into the scientific research on Pilates, you'll find mixed results. Some studies show great benefits. Others show little or no difference compared to the control groups.
So what’s going on?
Why the Research on Pilates Is So Inconsistent
In my opinion, research on Pilates is inconsistent because “Pilates” isn’t clearly defined in these studies.
We all know that not every Pilates class is the same. Instructors come from different backgrounds, training programs, and styles. Even within the same studio, two teachers might approach the same class or exercise very differently. So when a study says "Pilates," what exactly are they referring to?
That lack of clarity leads to inconsistent results. And it makes it harder to convince the medical world of Pilates' true value.
Why This Matters
If we want to move the industry forward, we need to get better at describing what happens in a Pilates class—not in fluffy terms, but in clear, measurable ones.
That doesn’t mean there’s only one right way to teach Pilates. But we do need to be able to explain what we’re teaching—and why—in a way that makes sense to people outside our world.
How to Read a Pilates Study Without Getting a Headache
You don’t need to be a scientist to spot the red flags. Here are three questions I always ask when I’m reading Pilates research:
1. What is the study comparing Pilates to?
If the study compares a group doing Pilates to a group doing nothing, the results might look better than they really are. Any movement is usually better than no movement at all.
A stronger study compares Pilates to another active intervention—like strength training, physical therapy, or walking. That gives a clearer picture of how Pilates stacks up against other proven methods.
And here’s something important:
Even if Pilates shows no difference compared to another approach, that’s still a win. It means people have more choices for what will help them reach their goal.
2. How is “Pilates” defined in the study?
Is it mat-based or equipment-based? How often did participants do it? What kinds of exercises were included?
A good study will spell this out. If it doesn’t, it’s hard to trust the results—especially if you’re reading a review that’s comparing multiple studies with different definitions of Pilates.
Look for studies (or reviews) that acknowledge this inconsistency. When authors say “Pilates wasn’t clearly defined across studies,” that’s actually a good sign. It means they’re being honest about the limitations.
3. Was the study designed well?
In research, the “gold standard” is a randomized, controlled trial with enough participants to represent the broader population.
That means:
Participants were randomly assigned to groups before the study began
The study had a clear goal and consistent conditions
There were enough people in the study to draw real conclusions
Be cautious with studies that just look back at past outcomes—like a hospital report that says “X% of patients that recovered well did Pilates.” That doesn’t tell the full story. There could be other factors involved that were actually causal (correlation does NOT equal causation), like income level, surgery type, pre-existing conditions, or access to care.
You Don’t Need to Be a Scientist—Just Ask Good Questions
You’re not expected to analyze research like a PhD. But understanding the basics helps you make better decisions about what studies to share with clients, use to influence your teaching, or reference in your marketing.
The future of Pilates depends on us being able to talk about it clearly—to each other, and to the outside world.
And if we want more people to take Pilates seriously, we have to get better at backing it up.