More than a decade ago, I wrote a post sharing five reasons to do Pilates. At the time, hitting my local Pilates studio a couple of times a week was a big part of my fitness routine along with running. Then, with COVID, I stopped attending any group classes and my Pilates practice slowly petered out.

Fast forward to today, and here I am again, finding my way back to the mat. This time around, I’m coming to Pilates from a slightly different place. I’m focused on rebuilding strength, improving consistency, and choosing workouts that support my body instead of just pushing it. And honestly? Pilates feels like exactly the kind of strength work I need right now — low-impact, focused, deceptively challenging, and rooted in control.

So for this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m sharing five reasons why Pilates is making its way back into my routine.

Fit Five Friday: 5 Reasons I’m Returning to Pilates

It builds the kind of core strength runners need
When most of us hear “core,” we immediately think abs. But Pilates reminds you pretty quickly that core strength is about so much more than crunches.

A strong core supports your posture, balance, breathing, and overall movement — all things that matter when you’re running, walking, strength training, gardening, or simply moving through daily life. For runners especially, a strong core helps support better form and can keep you from falling apart when fatigue sets in.

Pilates has a way of finding those little stabilizing muscles you forgot existed. You may not always be moving fast, but you will definitely feel the work.

It helps correct the imbalances running can create
Running’s repetitive forward motion can contribute to muscle imbalances over time. Certain muscles get overused, others get underused, and before you know it, something starts feeling a little cranky.

One of the things I enjoy about Pilates is its whole-body approach. It works on alignment, control, and balance. It highlights where you may be compensating without even realizing it. Pilates is not just about getting stronger — it’s about getting stronger in a more balanced way.

It meets you where you are
Pilates is that it can be adapted for so many different bodies, fitness levels, and seasons of life. I even practiced Pilates throughout my 2nd pregnancy!

There are ways to make the movements more accessible, and there are ways to make them incredibly challenging. You can use the mat, props, a reformer, or just your own body weight.

It supports posture and mobility
Between sitting at a desk, driving, and all the little habits of daily life, it is easy for posture and mobility to take a hit. Pilates brings attention back to alignment. It encourages length through the spine, better awareness of how you hold your body, and more intentional movement. It’s the kind of work that can carry over into everything else — how you stand, how you walk, how you run, and how you move through your day.

It reconnects mind and body
Pilates requires focus. The breathing, the control, the small adjustments, the attention to form — all helps to pull you into the present moment. And, in a world where it is so easy to rush from one thing to the next, that kind of mind-body connection feels like a gift.

Final thoughts…
I’m still early in this return to Pilates, but I’m already remembering why I loved it in the first place.

It is challenging without being punishing. It supports running without competing with it. It builds strength, balance, flexibility, and awareness in a way that feels especially right for this season.

Tell me: Have you tried Pilates? Is there a workout you’ve recently returned to after some time away?

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