Pluxee Moments: Why everyone you know is doing Pilates

Welcome to Pluxee Moments, our new series on experiences worth spending your time and your benefits on. We'll cover wellness, hobbies, food, travel and everything in between—and first up is the workout that has taken over everyone's feed: Pilates.

The numbers behind the hype

Pilates is not a small trend. 

Did you know?  Pilates is the most-booked workout in the world for the third year running from 2023 to 2025, according to ClassPass. Reservations climbed 66% from the year before, passing 15 million bookings. The word itself was searched over 27 million times.

Locally, the reason it resonates is less glamorous. The 2025 FNRI national nutrition survey found that 45.7% of Filipino adults are physically inactive, and a 2024 study in The Lancet Global Health ranked the Philippines highest in Southeast Asia on that measure. Long hours, longer commutes and heat that turns a jog into a hazard all play a part.

Pilates works around most of that. It's indoor, low-impact, and can be done in under an hour.

Behind the workout on everyone's radar

Joseph Pilates developed the method in the early 20th century to rehabilitate injured and bedridden patients. He called it Contrology with focus on controlled movement, breathing, posture and core strength rather than speed or heavy load.

You'll come across two formats of Pilates. Neither is better than the other. Start with whichever fits your needs.

What's in it for you

• It builds strength where you need it. Pilates works the deep muscles around your abdomen, lower back, hips and pelvis. That is the foundation for nearly every movement you make in a day.

• It helps with desk-job aches. Reviews of randomized trials have found that Pilates reduces pain and improves function for people with chronic low back pain.

• It improves posture and flexibility over time. The alignment work follows you out of the studio and into how you sit and stand.

• It gives you an hour offline. The method demands attention on breath and form. Most people find that harder than expected, and more restorative than a treadmill.

• And yes, it's fun. The studios look good, the classes are easy to do with friends, and there is no shame in wanting to see what the hype is about.

Ready to try? Here's how to start

• Find a beginner class near you. Most studios run trial sessions or foundation classes. Take one before committing to a package and call ahead to confirm your slot.

• Wear fitted activewear. Loose clothing with no metal/zippers gets in the way and hides your form, and instructors need to see your alignment to correct it. Remove jewelry and anything that will get in the way of a reformer.

• Pack grip socks, water, a towel, and a hair tie. Many studios require these kinds of socks and will sell you a pair at the counter if you forget.

• Go slow. Pilates rewards precision over intensity. Your first few classes will be humbling, and yes, you will sweat. If it has been a while since you last worked out, you may feel it during the warm-up alone. A few basic stretches beforehand help.

Try it with Pluxee

Your Pluxee Gifts can go toward experiences. 8Studio and ONELIFE Studio are both part of the Pluxee merchant network, so you can book that first reformer class without worrying about your budget.

Facebook: 8Studio

Facebook: ONELIFE Studio

Don't be discouraged if the movements feel awkward at first. It’s normal to feel nervous on your first session. Everyone looks lost in week one, especially on the reformer. Give it a few sessions and the difference shows up in the smallest things, like how you get out of a chair or how your back feels at the end of a long day.

Pilates could be the small change that transforms how you move, feel, and live, so book a class today and experience the difference for yourself... You might just thank us for it 😉 

More Pluxee Moments coming soon.