Why Pilates is becoming the go-to workout for many Filipinas

Mia Pabon, a 27-year-old freelance worker who has been working remotely since 2020, recently realized that her body needs more movement as she gets older.

Preferring a quiet yet effective workout, she knew the gym wasn’t for her.

This led her to try Pilates, a physical activity that has been steadily gaining traction across different demographics in the country.

Just a few sessions into her new “side quest,” Pabon has already noticed improvements in her body—particularly her posture, which had worsened due to her work-from-home setup, where she spends nearly half the day sitting.

“Kasi work-from-home ako since 2020 pa so wala akong activity sa katawan. This year lang talaga ako nag-Pilates. ‘Yung posture ko, nakitaan ko agad ng improvement,” Pabon told GMA News Online after a session at Bend and Bloom Pilates Studio in Antipolo City.

“For me, nakakabawi talaga ‘yung katawan ko sa movement kasi last year, wala talaga kaya laging masakit ‘yung likod ko. Ngayon, straight na ‘yung upo ko.”

What exactly is Pilates and how does it differ from going to the gym? What are its benefits?

Mimi Gonzales, co-owner of Bend and Bloom, had been going to the gym before becoming curious about Pilates last year. After trying it, she quickly got hooked. In her case, she noticed an immediate difference in her muscle tone after just one session.

Gonzales explained that both gym workouts and Pilates offer their own benefits. However, Pilates focuses on smaller muscle groups, helping improve flexibility, strength, and overall muscle tone.

Pilates comes in different forms, with mat and reformer classes being the most common. Mat Pilates relies on bodyweight exercises without equipment, while reformer Pilates uses a specialized machine to enhance core strength and overall conditioning.

She added that even athletes or individuals with movement issues can take up Pilates for injury recovery and rehabilitation, provided they have a doctor’s recommendation. In fact, one of their clients with scoliosis has seen significant improvement in posture after enrolling.

“Before talaga, ang misconception ng iba—and ako na rin—about Pilates is it’s not for me. Kasi nga nagy-gym na ako, nagbubuhat na ako, so akala ko puro slow movements lang [ang Pilates],” Gonzales said in a separate interview.

“Pero nu’ng first time na tinry ko, na-impress ako kasi five minutes pa lang, pawis na ako. So ayun, na-enjoy ko na siya.”

Beyond physical conditioning, Pilates also helps clear the mind, ease stress, and improve overall mental clarity.

Anna Cabasan, a 30-year-old architect who also works from home, said she sees Pilates not just as a workout routine but also as a way to support her mental health.

“Ayoko rin talaga ng gym. I’ve tried it before, pero ayoko talaga kasi maraming tao, tapos maghihintay ka pa if may gumagamit ng equipment. Pero at least dito, may instructor ka, tapos nag-improve ‘yung flexibility ko,” Cabasan said.

“Actually, para lang siyang yoga na may weights, pero mas mahirap ‘to. Nakaka-help din siya mentally—though any workout naman gano’n.”

—JKC, GMA News