Lack of regulation for specialist classes leaves UK fitness enthusiasts at risk, say professional bodies
The boom in reformer pilates has created a “wild west” of studios where poor regulation has resulted in inexperienced teachers and a rise in injuries, professional standards bodies have warned.
Pilates is not formally or legally regulated, and as its popularity has surged, industry experts say, so too has the growth of packed reformer-based classes often led by instructors with limited training.
Reformer pilates is a low-impact, full-body workout performed on a machine using a sliding carriage, springs, straps and a foot bar to provide controlled resistance. Its advocates say it strengthens, stretches and stabilises muscles in ways mat-based pilates cannot.
A reformer class in London can cost between £20 and £37 for a single drop-in session, and experts say some businesses are taking advantage of the trend – offering sessions under the pilates name, without adhering to traditional methods.
