Pilates for Men: Why More Guys Are Rolling Out the Mat

Breaking the Stereotype: Pilates Isn’t Just for Women

There’s been a lovely shift happening in the Pilates world lately — more and more men are discovering just how powerful, challenging, and transformative Pilates can be. At LMP (Lottie Murphy Pilates), we’re seeing this shift firsthand, and it’s inspiring.

This week, we welcomed my husband Sam into the studio for his very first class video with us — and honestly, I’m surprised it’s taken this long! Sam is one of LMP’s biggest fans, and now he’s finally in front of the camera for our latest class:

Athletic Pilates: Pilates for Men Inspired (26 Mins)

This session is target-driven, athletic, and strength-based, yet also designed to mobilize and balance the body — perfect for the male physique but absolutely beneficial for everyone.

Whether you’ve been trying to get your partner, dad, or housemate on the mat, this is your moment!

Pilates Has Always Been for Men – A Quick History

Let’s not forget: Joseph Pilates, the founder of the method, was a man. His original New York studio had a clientele that was 60% male, Lolita San Miguel (a Pilates elder taught by Joseph Pilates himself) says.

Somewhere along the way, Pilates has become much more female dominated. Now, more men are discovering that Pilates is:

  • Excellent for injury prevention

  • Essential for flexibility and mobility

  • A game-changer for core strength and posture

  • Great for reducing back pain

Why Men Enjoy LMP Pilates

We recently spoke to some of our wonderful male LMP members, and here’s what they had to say:

“I started doing Pilates to help with running and ended up taking on the 24-day challenges. Loved them!”

“I do the post-running Pilates session almost every day.”

“I like the clarity in the teaching and the quality of the videos.”

“I don’t always comment online, but I enjoy seeing others all over the world doing the same routines.”

It’s been fascinating to hear what draws men into Pilates — and more importantly, what keeps them coming back.

The Power of Repetition: Why Men May Prefer Routine

Now, I’m no psychologist, but I’ve noticed something interesting over the years: many men like to repeat the same routine over and over again.

Take my husband Sam for example — he has two LMP routines he cycles through on repeat. When I asked why, especially since so many of us crave variety, his response was simple:

"It gives me structure and helps me focus. I know exactly what’s coming and I can zone in."

There’s something incredibly grounding about consistency.

Sam’s Favourite Routine

🧡 Day 2 of 24 Days 2.0 is Sam’s go-to. He does it regularly, and it never gets old for him.

Final Thoughts: The Mat Is for Everyone

Teaching Sam this week was truly special. As a working (and partly stay-at-home) dad, Pilates gives him a chance to reconnect with himself, his body, and his breath.

So to all the men out there — and those who love them — Pilates is not just for women. It’s for every body, and the benefits speak for themselves.

Thank you for being here, for rolling out your mat, and for practicing with us.

Previous
Previous

How To Make The Most of Your Pilates Routines at Home - 10 Top Tips

Next
Next

LMP member spotlight: Justin Ongley