Athletic Men Discover Pilates Is No Walk in the Park as Social Media Trend Takes Off

A new social media trend is shattering stereotypes about Pilates, with male athletes and gym enthusiasts discovering that the workout traditionally dominated by women is far more challenging than they anticipated.

Across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, viral videos show muscular men visibly struggling — wincing, shaking, and grimacing — as they attempt Pilates exercises on mats and reformer machines. The trend has garnered millions of views, with many male participants expressing surprise at the workout’s intensity.

“We target the tiny muscle fibers, the muscles that you don’t use in the gym,” explains Melania Antuchas, a Florida-based hot Pilates and sculpt instructor whose videos of men taking her classes have gone viral. “Athletic men are used to using those big quads in the gym and lifting heavy weights, but with just your body weight, heel raises, and resistance bands, that creates the true challenge. They’re not used to challenging their balance, mobility and stability.”

Antuchas teaches a signature 50-minute class combining strength training and mat Pilates. After conducting her first all-male class, she noted, “Every single one of them was asking for the next one because of how much it challenged them.”

The phenomenon extends beyond individual fitness enthusiasts. In North Carolina, Raleigh Pilates recently hosted the Raleigh Rugby Club for a session that left the athletes struggling through leg lifts, lunges, shoulder presses, and core exercises on reformer machines.

Rae Matthews, owner of the Raleigh studio, explained why Pilates proves particularly challenging for strength-trained individuals: “Stronger people are used to using big global muscles, while Pilates asks them to slow down, stabilize and control movement through full range of motion. The exercises look small, but they feel really intense because the work is coming from deep stabilizers rather than momentum or brute force.”

Pilates has a rich history dating back to the 1920s, when Joseph Pilates developed the method to help rehabilitate injured soldiers and ballet dancers. According to Brookelyn Suddell, director of group fitness strategy at Crunch Fitness in New York, the practice aims to put muscles under controlled tension to build strength, flexibility and mobility — foundational elements for effective movement.

The method has evolved considerably since its inception. Today’s Pilates often incorporates more equipment, sculpt techniques for strength training, and sometimes heated settings. “It’s a slow and controlled, non-stop, low-impact workout,” Antuchas said. “It’s about precision, control, and core strength.”

Pilates builds what Suddell describes as a “special kind” of balanced and functional strength by working the stabilizers around each joint. “That means your whole body is working in harmony, from your core to your limbs,” she explained. Even Crunch’s CEO Jim Rowley — described as “a Marine vet, lifelong lifter and all-around powerhouse” — credits Pilates with dramatically improving his core strength and mobility.

The experts unanimously agree that men can benefit from Pilates just as much as women. Regular practice can enhance overall gym performance, support athletic pursuits, improve posture, and contribute to longevity. Matthews suggests that reframing Pilates as “intelligent strength training and injury prevention, not a soft workout” could be key to increasing male participation.

Despite its benefits, instructors caution that proper form is essential. Antuchas emphasizes that no one should feel pain during a Pilates session, and modifications should be made as needed, particularly when participants experience strain in the neck or lower back. Those with recent injuries or surgeries, chronic pain issues, joint limitations, or restricted mobility should consult medical professionals before beginning.

“When Pilates is taught thoughtfully, it’s actually one of the safest and most supportive forms of movement available,” Matthews noted, “but expertise matters so much.”

As the trend continues to grow, it appears the days of Pilates being dismissed as an “easy” or “girly” workout are numbered — one humbling reformer session at a time.