Why more Hyderabad residents are choosing Pilates over intense workouts

Pilates is witnessing a rise in popularity across Hyderabad as more people opt for low-impact workouts focused on strength, flexibility and mobility. Fitness experts say the exercise benefits people of all ages, while changing perceptions are encouraging more men to join Pilates classes

Hyderabad: For years, Hyderabad’s fitness scene revolved around gyms, heavy weights and high-intensity workouts. While those remain popular, a quieter fitness movement has been steadily gaining momentum. Pilates, which has been around in the city for years, is now witnessing a surge in popularity, with studios reporting growing enrolments and more first-time participants.

Celebrity endorsements, social media and a growing preference for workouts that prioritise mobility, recovery and long-term fitness have all contributed to Pilates’ growing popularity. Beyond celebrities, Pilates has long been part of the training routines of athletes, footballers, cricketers, runners, golfers and dancers, who practise it to improve mobility, control and core strength while reducing the risk of injuries.

Developed by Joseph Pilates, the exercise focuses on controlled movements, breathing and precision rather than intensity. Unlike many conventional workouts that target a single aspect of fitness, this low-impact workout combines strength, mobility and flexibility in a single session, helping practitioners improve posture, balance and overall body awareness.

“Pilates is a low-impact exercise that helps improve strength, flexibility, posture, balance, breathing and overall body awareness,” said Abdul Qadar, Pilates Instructor, Strength and Conditioning Coach and Operational Director at YKBI Pilates.

Its appeal also lies in the fact that it offers more than just strength training or cardio. The workout strengthens the core, activates deep muscles that are often neglected during traditional exercise and improves spinal stability, making it suitable for beginners as well as experienced fitness enthusiasts.

“It strengthens the core, pelvic floor muscles and the muscles that support the spine, while also activating deep muscles that are often overlooked during traditional workouts,” said Qadar.

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the workout is that it is meant only for women. The perception stems largely from the way Pilates has been marketed on social media, where it is often associated with female influencers and toned physiques, experts believe.

“Pilates was actually developed by a man, for men. It was first used to rehabilitate injured soldiers after war, and it’s for people of all ages, both men and women,” said Qadar.

As more men join Pilates classes across Hyderabad, that stereotype is gradually beginning to fade. While many women initially take up Pilates for toning, flexibility and inch loss, its benefits extend far beyond aesthetics. Pilates also supports fat loss by helping practitioners remain in an effective fat-burning heart rate zone while simultaneously improving strength, posture, flexibility and overall movement.

“I joined Pilates after seeing my father attend classes. Initially, I thought it was mainly for women, but watching him enjoy it changed my perspective. Since joining, I’ve become more flexible, my posture has improved and I feel much stronger. It’s a workout that makes you feel better physically as well as mentally,” said Sejal Sanghi, who recently joined Pilates.