We’re no longer in the heyday of HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and CrossFit. Now, low-impact workouts — and particularly Pilates — are all the rage for American adults.
Why it matters: As longevity becomes a primary health focus, a growing number of exercisers are opting for movements that advance their day-to-day functioning and better protect them from injury.
By the numbers: In San Antonio, Pilates ClassPass bookings increased 108% in 2023, compared to 2022, according to data shared with Axios.
- The most popular class on the fitness booking platform was Pilates Platinum, which is a 45-minute class that burns up to 700 calories, according to the program’s website.
- “Our workout gives you the heart-pumping, muscle-quivering, body-lengthening, muscle-strengthening exercises our body desires,” reads a class description.
The big picture: The surge in interest in workouts like Pilates has to do with a workout mindset shift.
- Almost 29% of consumers say they exercise for a long and healthy life, compared to 20% the year before, according to survey data from exercise platform Mindbody.
- And more than one-third of Americans say they prefer low-intensity training exclusively, according to Mindbody.
What we’re watching: “Functional fitness” is the workout buzzword of the moment.
