These days there are more varieties of our favourite exercise than you can shake a Pilates ball at — though whatever the fashion, we still think it’s hard to beat Classical Pilates. Here’s a summary of some of the ever-expanding forms of hybrid Pilates.
Solidcore, Pilates/HIIT
White Lotus and Euphoria actor Sydney Sweeney uses SolidCore, a Pilates/HIIT hybrid in the US, a full-body high-intensity workout, often with music, but on a larger version of the Reformer called a ‘swetlana’. “It’s been killing my ass. I love it,” says Sweeney. Lagree is another form of high-intensity, low-impact Pilates, using a Megaformer machine rather than a Reformer. It’s a full-body workout that combines Pilates with endurance and strength-training.
Wall Pilates
Wall Pilates has also been having a moment. A wall is used as a support or prop to help with stability, balance and resistance. The wall takes the place of the footbar used on a Reformer machine. Exercises can be done at home wherever there’s a free wall. It can help with alignment and make muscles work harder when performing say a bridge with your feet up against the wall.
Chair Pilates
Chair Pilates is a low-impact version of Pilates performed while seated or using a chair for support during standing exercises, and is useful for those with limited mobility. Joseph Pilates designed the Wunda chair on these lines.
Tower Pilates
Another fashionable form of Pilates is Tower Pilates, using a wall unit called a tower. This is equipped with springs, bars and straps. It’s like a Reformer machine, but where the springs and handles are perpendicular.
Contemporary Pilates
Contemporary Pilates is where Joseph Pilates’ basic principles are combined with modern knowledge of biomechanics and equipment that wasn’t available to Joe, such as ankle or wrist weights and resistance bands.
Barre Pilates
Barre Pilates is a ballet fusion, using a ballet barre for balance while performing small, high-repetition movements that focus on isometric holds to target specific muscle groups.
Aerial Pilates
Then there’s Aerial Pilates, for instructors only, that uses hammocks to perform Pilates moves while suspended in the air. While Aqua Pilates is as the name implies Pilates in a swimming pool.
Equine Pilates
Equine Pilates is a form of Pilates for horses, while fun versions of Pilates include humans and animals. Pennywell Farm in Devon offers Piggy Pilates, saying that the benefits of doing mat Pilates with pigs are a mixture of fun, relaxation and enjoying the good chemicals released from interacting with the animals.
Goat Pilates
While Goat Pilates is big at Bellcraig Farm in Fife, where friendly pygmy goats clamber over clients on mats. When the Scotch Malt Whisky Society wanted to celebrate its 40th anniversary, it naturally organised a joint whisky tasting and goat Pilates session.
Classic Reformer Pilates
Pilates is a great form of body conditioning and it’s flattering that it has inspired so many forms. But Classical Reformer Pilates, as invented by Joseph Pilates, has lasted for a century and outlasted most other versions. No doubt there will be more hybrids to come, but for many users Classical Pilates is tried and tested and still the best option.
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The Pilates Central Team
