It’s a workout adored by fitness fanatics longing to flex their core strength on social media.
However as reformer Pilates takes hold around the world, some have raised concerns that the low-intensity training classes are becoming unsafe.
For those who have eschewed TikTok, the exercise has witnessed a mammoth boom online in recent times, with celebrities including the Duchess of Sussex and the Kardashians, tightening their muscles on the machine.
German creator Joseph Pilates developed the workout in 1946 during the First World War as a method to continue his strength training while imprisoned in an Isle of Man cell.
Fast forward almost 80 years and the exercise is no longer one motivated by necessity – but rather it’s a high-end, luxurious workout frequented by A-listers who pay premium prices at dedicated Reformer Pilates studios.
The exercise, loved by Meghan Markle and Jennifer Aniston, costs around £25 to £40 for a 45-minute class and is surging in popularity in the UK.
‘Pilates is a low-impact exercise system designed to improve overall physical strength, posture, and flexibility,’ Dr Hana Patel, NHS GP and GP Medico-Legal Expert Witness, explained.
Patel, who sometimes recommends the workout to patients suffering from chronic back pain, added: ‘Unlike conventional strength training that often focuses on individual muscle groups, Reformer Pilates emphasises core strength, alignment, and controlled movement patterns.
Reformer Pilates is trending on TikTok, with thousands, including Lily Huther from Australia (pictured), giving it a go – but the workout isn’t always as safe as it seems
Philippa Younger (pictured) suffered serious injuries after her Reformer Pilates machine snapped during the workout
Despite evidence of potential benefits including weight loss, there’s a dark side that arises when gymgoers fail to follow the correct procedures or attend classes with unfit trainers – and a slew of gymgoers have faced harmful repercussions.
On the topic, doctor Veronika Matutyte, explained to Femail: ‘Reformer Pilates can be a highly effective method for improving flexibility, strength, and posture. However, it carries certain risks, particularly when equipment is faulty or improperly used.
‘It is also crucial that instructors are well-trained and knowledgeable about Pilates mechanics. Inexperienced instructors may unknowingly encourage clients to perform exercises incorrectly, which could lead to injuries such as tendon tears or strains.
‘Additionally, Pilates, if not done properly, can exacerbate existing injuries, especially if participants overexert themselves or fail to maintain proper alignment. Many people may not realise that some Reformer Pilates exercises require careful attention to form and posture to avoid strain on joints and muscles.’
To minimise these risks, it is essential to start with low-intensity sessions and gradually build up. If you experience any discomfort or pain, it is important to stop immediately and seek medical advice.
Back in 2012, Sophie Barnes highlighted a concerning consequence after she started the workout.
Barnes, who was 42 at the time, took up Pilates following the birth of her third child to help combat the effects of scoliosis, a condition she was born with that sees patients have an abnormal curvature of the spine.
TikTok user @fritzieguarino (pictured) took a tumble after trying her first Reformer Pilates class
The exercise is very popular with celebrities – including Kate Hudson (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (right)
Jennifer Aniston is also fan of the exercist
Lady Gaga has also showed off her exercise at home
Her doctor warned her that the extra weight of the baby could put added strain on her fragile back and muscles.
A maternity nurse told her that Pilates — a series of stretching exercises to improve physical strength and flexibility — was excellent for women post-birth.
‘Seven months after the birth I felt ready to start exercising,’ said Sophie, who lives in London, adding: ‘I told the instructor about my scoliosis and the pregnancy, and he nodded and told me to join a class.
‘I went once a week for three months as part of a group of 12 people, and everything was fine — but then overnight my left leg went numb. I mentioned this, but the instructor didn’t seem concerned and just told me to take it easy. I didn’t think to question it.’
However, within a few weeks the numbness worsened, and Sophie had excruciating pain at the base of her spine. Concerned, she went to the doctor.
‘I was referred to a specialist and given an MRI scan. The results were irrefutable — I’d slipped a disc.
‘The increased pressure and strain of the exercises had aggravated my weakened spine, causing the disc to rupture, so it was pressing on my nerve.
‘Worse still, the damage was so extensive they thought the only way round it was surgery to trim the disc.’
She suffered three tears of the tendons in her right shoulder, which left her unable to work or drive for several weeks
Years later, a different woman experienced similarly disturbing effects after taking up Reformer Pilates in Australia.
Philippa Younger started her Reformer Pilates journey to combat her chronic headaches, shoulder, and neck pain, which she believed stemmed from sitting down at her desk all day.
Initially, the workout was effective in offering pain relief, according to Tyla.
Things took a dramatic turn for the worse when Philippa’s Reformer Pilate’s machine snapped mid workout, leaving her with three tears in her tendons in her right shoulder and requiring surgery.
She described the pain as ‘excruciating’ in conversation with 7news via Tyla, adding that she was unable to work or drive for several weeks.
Philippa said: ‘It’s been a really, really long and hard journey.’
‘It has had a big impact on (my) life.’
Examples of incidents occurring at Reformer Pilates are similarly rife on TikTok, with Fritzie Guarino sharing a video of herself falling off the machine, leaving her ‘traumatised’.
She wrote: ‘Traumatised! For a premium rate per class, you’d expect that the equipment’s are in tiptop shape. The manager was present but was unbothered. I can’t.’
Elsewhere, TikTok user Gabriella Foster from Henley-on-Thames shared a clip of herself appearing equally confused about how to correctly conduct the exercises during a Reformer Pilates class.
Lily Huther from Australia had a similarly concerning experience, and fell off the machine after viewing others take the class on TikTok. She warned her followers against the position, adding that it left her with a ‘very bruised leg’.
Elsewhere, after attempting the workout and considering it potentially dangerous, Madeline Spencer of The Standard took it upon herself to understand whether trainers receive adequate training.
Spencer found that some instructors may simply be attempting to cash in on the Reformer Pilates boom, stuffing in as many machines into one space, which is, in turn, potentially increasing the chances of mishaps.
‘The problem is, a lot of the newer breed of studios offering group Reformer Training are trying to cram too many Reformers in a room for the sake of maximising their return on investment and that, coupled with subterranean lighting and a soundtrack you’d normally find at a rave (with the volume cranked up to match) is throwing a lot of people off balance (often quite literally),’ instructor Luke Meessmann told Spencer.
It’s the same reason that Robyn Rix, president of the Pilates Australian Alliance is calling for regulations to mandate minimum training and qualifications for trainers, according to ABC News.
‘Over the last year I’ve heard so many reports of injuries in Pilates studios,’ Rix told the news outlet.
She added: ‘Someone broke their arm, and someone broke their leg and actually needed surgery on their leg.’
Now, Rix is calling for trainers to undergo a minimum of 500 hours of training, including in first aid.
While the Reformer Pilates boom shows no sign of slowing down, all directions point to gymgoers taking precautions seriously before giving the workout a whirl.
