health
Popularization of reformer Pilates leads to an increase in injuries, experts warn
The rapid growth in popularity of reformer Pilates equipment has led to poor regulation, undertrained instructors, and an increase in injuries, warn professional associations in Great Britain.
TL;DR
- The rapid growth of reformer Pilates has led to weak regulation, undertrained instructors, and an increase in injuries.
- Pilates is not formally or legally regulated in Great Britain, allowing for a rise in group reformer classes often led by instructors with limited training.
- Social media platforms like TikTok are showing viral videos of accidents, including falls from reformer equipment.
- Incidents include instructors being injured by falling equipment and a violinist ending her career due to studio equipment collapse.
- Experts claim anyone can present themselves as a Pilates instructor without formal training, despite reputable studios requiring certifications.
- Calls are being made for a quality control system to build user confidence in studios.
- Large fitness chains are criticized for holding classes with many machines and only one instructor, raising safety concerns.
- Common injuries include neck pain due to improper technique and insufficient abdominal muscle activation.
- Instructor training is increasingly done online, and some studios are dropping basic qualification requirements.
- Instructor associations warn that the industry's rapid growth and aggressive marketing hide an unregulated training system driven by commercial interests.
- Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, combining elements of yoga, gymnastics, and rehabilitation.