Pilates and obesity: A practical and promising option

Alexiοs Batrakoulis; Marilyn Gilyana; Mary Ann Rumplasch; Alexiοs Batrakoulis; Marilyn Gilyana; Mary Ann Rumplasch

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2026037

AIMS Public Health

2026, Volume 13, Issue 3: 689-705. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2026037

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Pilates and obesity: A practical and promising option

1.
Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
2.
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece
3.
College of Sport Science, University of Kalba, Kalba, Sharjah, UAE
4.
Blood Cancer United, Washington, DC, USA

Received: 11 January 2026 Revised: 07 April 2026 Accepted: 14 April 2026 Published: 24 June 2026

Pilates is a type of mind-body fitness that may lead to significant improvements in body composition, physical fitness, cardiometabolic health, and mental health. However, these findings are supported by very limited and often mixed or scarce evidence. In general, Pilates training may promote exercise engagement of people with larger bodies in a physically and mentally comfortable environment, thereby promoting their health, performance, and well-being. Research suggests that integrating Pilates training as a component of a comprehensive, tailored, supervised exercise program for individuals with excess body weight and adiposity may offer a pleasurable and pain-free training alternative in practical settings. In this review, we synthesize the scientific evidence and a real-world Mat Pilates workout routine for obese individuals.
- exercise prescription,
- overweight,
- physiological adaptations,
- psychological adaptations
Citation: Alexiοs Batrakoulis, Marilyn Gilyana, Mary Ann Rumplasch. Pilates and obesity: A practical and promising option[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2026, 13(3): 689-705. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2026037

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Abstract

Pilates is a type of mind-body fitness that may lead to significant improvements in body composition, physical fitness, cardiometabolic health, and mental health. However, these findings are supported by very limited and often mixed or scarce evidence. In general, Pilates training may promote exercise engagement of people with larger bodies in a physically and mentally comfortable environment, thereby promoting their health, performance, and well-being. Research suggests that integrating Pilates training as a component of a comprehensive, tailored, supervised exercise program for individuals with excess body weight and adiposity may offer a pleasurable and pain-free training alternative in practical settings. In this review, we synthesize the scientific evidence and a real-world Mat Pilates workout routine for obese individuals.

Authors' contributions

Conceptualization, A.B., M.A.R. and M.G.; writing—original draft preparation, A.B., M.A.R. and M.G.; writing—review and editing, A.B., M.AR. and M.G.; project administration, A.B. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

Τhe authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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