The late-night comedy show dedicated a sketch to the boutique fitness modality that is rapidly gaining popularity across the United States.
“Saturday Night Live,” known for its take on contemporary culture, poked fun at the cult Pilates craze and sticky socks last weekend in a skit in which comedian Kristen Wiig played a terrifyingly intense Pilates instructor. .
In fact, the popular core and muscle-building fitness modality is one of the top three major modalities in the boutique fitness market, along with yoga and barre, but these two are perhaps the most popular in terms of recent growth rates. is located higher than.
The concept for the skit, an R-rated horror movie trailer for “Pilates: Holding the Shake,” which SNL jokes about, comes from the creators of Saw depicting a woman.
“What is this place? Why is it so dark? So what are these… machines? “No Pain, No Gain” with reformer machines, pink and purple ambient lighting, and LED lights The Pilates beginners ask as they enter the dimly lit room with the sign “. Wiig, dressed in pink two-piece activewear, greets them and then begins to explain the overly complicated (but comical) straps.
SNL focuses on the challenging side of workouts and enthusiasts of the fitness modality known for causing the “Pilates Shake.”
“Most of the women are former dancers or first-time moms. There are usually eight gorgeous women,” the girl warned her friend. Her clip shows a refreshing Kaia Gerber whose difficult workout “happens to be pretty easy,” she says.
“Once you’re in…it’s impossible to get out,” the girl warns.
Pilates brands compete to stand out
Pilates has received a lot of attention from celebrities, athletes, and social media, and the full-body workout is trending on TikTok for its toning and flexibility transformation.
As a result, brands in the Pilates space are expanding rapidly, especially as workout enthusiasts increasingly seek personalized fitness experiences in a group setting.
Club Pilates, owned by Xponential Fitness, is the most successful brand ever in terms of locations, with 1,000 open studios around the world and a presence at sea on Princess Cruises ships. A fast-growing brand based in Miami, JetSet Pilates is expanding internationally with 600 studios across the United States.
F45 Training also leverages Pilates, launching Vaura, a club-like Pilates concept with mirrored ceilings, premium sound systems, and ambient lighting, on New York’s Upper East Side, with additional studios coming soon. We are planning to open.
As one of the top fitness and wellness trends for 2024, some Pilates franchises are putting a twist on traditional practices to stand out from the crowd.
Studio Pilates, an Australian-based franchise brand with locations in Brooklyn, New York, North Carolina and Kentucky, has begun offering classes that cater to the unique needs of pre- and post-natal mothers.
“Pilates is one of the best ways to exercise during pregnancy,” Marisa Fuller, owner of the Studio Pilates franchise in the US, told Athlete News. “Highly targeted and modifiable exercises can effectively address the needs of pregnant women.”
Affectionately referred to as “Pilates on steroids” and founded by fitness entrepreneur Ann Mahlam, Solidcore plans to have 250 open studios by 2028. As the name suggests, his 50-minute sessions at Solid Core are designed with an emphasis on concentration and no scheduled rest periods.
“The workout itself is more athletic and involves a higher level of energy and intensity,” Solid Core President and CEO Brian Myers told ATN. “This is a completely different approach than what traditionally falls under the Pilates umbrella on the market.”
