Who are the people looking for the Pilates method?

Abstract

Summary The Pilates Method, a body–mind exercise approach originally developed by Joseph Pilates, is becoming widely popular, although without a concomitant development of scientific research. The purpose of this paper is to describe Pilates clients’ characteristics, their goals regarding the Method and the prevalence and intensity of musculoskeletal pain among them. Three hundred and twenty-seven subjects were assessed before participation in Pilates exercises started. Variables of interest were age, sex, main goals with the Method, participation in physical activities, assistance by health professionals, main areas of musculoskeletal pain and subjective pain intensity. The results reveal that the majority of Pilates clients are middle-aged women who did not participate regularly in other exercise activities and who had some complaint of musculoskeletal pain. Despite high pain prevalence, only about one quarter of our sample sought the Pilates Method specifically for rehabilitation. This reveals a large patient population in which Pilates-based rehabilitation may be applicable.