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Pilates is still experiencing a huge boom.
March 19, 2024
Marie Hein
Pilates is the perfect full-body workout for home or travel. Discover the 5 best Pilates apps here.
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The Corona years, finding anything positive may be absolutely difficult. However, there is one thing: With the new life that took place mostly at home, livestream or “on-demand” workouts became the new norm. The market exploded, and Pilates classes experienced a real boom.
The wonderful thing about Pilates is its effectiveness: Maximum physical results can be achieved with minimal equipment, as often a simple mat is enough. And all this without wild jumps through the living room, lifting heavy weights, or hours of jogging -units. The Pilates method is characterized by a unique approach that combines strength, flexibility, and body control.
The focus is on strengthening the so-called "Powerhouse," a central muscle group that includes the deep abdominal and pelvic muscles as well as smaller muscles around the spine. Precise and controlled movements shape long, lean muscles and strengthen the entire body. Regular practice improves balance, posture, and endurance.
Another key element is breathing and concentration: Through conscious breathing while every movement and precise execution not only trains physical fitness but also mental fitness.
From NYC to L.A. to Australia: Given the abundance of Pilates apps, we've filtered out the best. What do they all have in common? Each of the following five studios offers a wide range of 10- to 45-minute classes – such as classic mat classes, barre, Pilates-yoga flows, and sessions focusing on lower or upper body areas. No matter which body region you want to strengthen when and where, there is guaranteed to be a suitable class.
Tip: In Pilates, it is important to perform each exercise as accurately as possible. If you are unsure, you should first attend an on-site course to learn the basics before starting at home.
With her positive manner, she conquered Melissa Wood-Tepperberg the fitness world by storm. In 2015, the now early 40-year-old founded her wellness platform out of a very personal motivation: The former model, as she says herself, had "an unhealthy and destructive relationship with" Food and Sports ”. She wanted to change that – not just for herself.
She trained as a health coach, Pilates, and yoga instructor instructor. At the end of 2019, she launched her app: Melissa Wood Health. Today, her workout library is impressive and ranges from classic Pilates classes to barre, dance flows, and water workouts, as well as pre- and postnatal sessions and meditation exercises. In addition, there are recipes and challenges. For several months now, Melissa Wood-Tepperberg has not been teaching alone but has engaged several other trainers to offer even more diversity and expertise. Absolutely successful!
Cost: 16.49 euros per month
Unlike most Pilates workouts, Fluidform founder Kirsten King focuses on tailored training plans and short 20-minute sessions. These are designed to transform body and mind quickly – with daily practice. transform .
Each exercise is customized to personal needs and progress, both in their Australian studios and via the app.
Upon signing up, you fill out a questionnaire and receive a personalized program with suitable workouts, challenges, and recipes. A highly effective and targeted method to find the right exercises without clicking through hundreds of workouts.
Cost: 20 euros per month
As Pilates instructors with a background in physiotherapy, Australians Hannah McKimm and Brooke Hogan share a common vision to help people improve their physical and mental health. Their holistic approach emphasizes strengthening the body, improving flexibility, and promoting well-being.
During their online studio offers classes for all fitness levels, there is a particular focus on pre- and postnatal courses. These are especially empathetically designed and at the same time extremely effective, which is why pregnant women and mothers-to-be should definitely check them out.
Cost: 23 euros per month
Sami Clarke launched the wellbeing app in 2023 FORM , which already boasts an impressive fanbase. As a health coach and Pilates trainer from Los Angeles she focuses on the community aspect alongside her rather demanding, classic Pilates courses.
This allows users to join groups in individual cities or start a search for like-minded people, and FORM establishes the connection.
Those who do not want to take out a subscription can join Pilates challenges with various course units as well as recipe collections purchased individually.
Cost: 29.99 euros per month
Sanne Vloet, former model and founder of Soulsyncbody , knows from personal experience how important a balanced diet is. As a trained Pilates instructor, she not only offers beginner-friendly Pilates, HIIT, or stretching classes, but also places great emphasis on nutrition.
To ensure her clients no longer have to worry about often challenging meal planning, Soulsyncbody offers not only a huge selection of healthy and delicious recipes but also small guides for download, such as “ Gut Reset.”
Cost: 28.49 euros per month
The method was invented by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. His motivation was to improve his own health. Born in Mönchengladbach, he intensively studied various training methods and philosophies such as yoga , gymnastics, and martial arts .
Based on his experiences and creative genius, he developed his own training method, which he initially called 'Contrology.'
After World War I, Joseph Pilates moved to New York City with his wife Clara, where they opened a gym. His method quickly gained popularity, attracting prominent figures from the dance and acting world, including Katharine Hepburn. However, Joseph Pilates and his method only became famous long after his death in 1967.
