Pilates has leapt from a niche workout into mainstream movement on the Sunshine Coast, with more than 40 studios opening in the past five years.
“That’s not even counting the many gyms that have now introduced Pilates into their offerings,” CGM Pilates owner Chris Morrison says.
Invented by Joseph Pilates more than a century ago, it began as a rehabilitation plan for injured soldiers during World War I.
Since his writings were first published in 1936, Pilates’ theories have grown into a phenomenon practised by people all around the world.
As of October this year, Australia has more than 2500 Pilates studios, industry research firm IBISWorld says.
Here on the Sunshine Coast, the demand spiked post-pandemic and hasn’t slowed down since.
Even amid a cost-of-living crisis, clients are still willing to cough up the $30 price tag for each 45-minute reformer Pilates class.
So, what’s behind the recent surge in popularity?
“People are busier and more stressed than ever, spending long hours at desks and feeling aches and pains much earlier in life,” The Station Pilates founder Monica Smith says.
“Pilates offers strength without strain, mobility without intensity, and confidence without comparison.
“It’s accessible, athletic, rehabilitative and empowering all at once. That’s why the growth has been so strong.”
At CGM Pilates, Yoga & Wellness in Alexandra Headland, owners Colina Morrison, 41, and husband Chris, 43, say the signs were clear long before the current boom.
“We opened CGM Pilates, Yoga & Wellness in 2017 after noticing a significant gap in the market on the Sunshine Coast,” Colina says. “We knew how transformative Pilates could be when delivered in a positive environment, with knowledgeable and well-educated instructors.”
The couple moved to the coast in 2016 and were struck by how active locals were, even at sunrise.
“We were checking the surf at the end of our street in Alex at dawn and were genuinely shocked by how many people of all ages were out walking, running, surfing and exercising,” Chris says.
For them, the equation was simple: a wellness-oriented region paired with a method known globally for creating strong, capable, pain-free bodies.
“Seeing that level of active living made us confident it would thrive here. And it definitely has,” Colina says.
CGM and The Station Pilates share the belief that the Coast’s Pilates uptake isn’t simply because it’s fashionable. It’s because it works.
“Once people experience how good it makes them feel, they tend to stick with it for life,” Colina says.
Monica’s own journey into Pilates is intensely personal. She originally ran a small yoga studio in Bli Bli, but an injury forced her to reassess everything.
“My surgeon gave me three options: have back surgery, regular injections or do Pilates,” she says. “I chose Pilates and it changed everything.”
What started as a tiny studio has grown into The Station Pilates, now an eight-studio network across the region.
“As people started moving more, word spread, and our numbers grew faster than we expected,” Monica says.
“We kept adding classes simply to keep up with demand.”
One of the most striking shifts is who’s stepping through the studio doors.
“We’re seeing lots of teens, busy professionals, prenatal and postnatal mums, parents and older clients discovering Pilates and loving how accessible and effective it is,” Colina says.
“Perhaps most exciting, we’re finally seeing more men discovering Pilates, which is surprising it’s taken this long, considering Joseph Pilates originally designed the method for men.”
Monica has seen the same trend in her studios.
“Men, especially FIFO workers,” she says.
“They’re coming in because Pilates supports their backs, hips and jointsand they really enjoy the strength-based benefits.”
Her men’s classes for the Movember charity were so popular that some were “completely waitlisted”.
In a class, don’t be surprised if you look to the reformer next to you and see a person three times your age pulling a weight stronger than you.
Pilates is increasingly becoming part of healthy ageing.
CGM client John Brent, 77, says he has, found Pilates to be a “very effective means of improving posture and balance and maintaining muscle condition, which is important as one gets older”.
The Station Pilates client Judit Mikol, 68, tried Pilates after being told she could need a wheelchair within five years due to osteoarthritis.
“From the first few sessions, I felt small improvements, but the real change came after six to 12 months,” she says.
“I could go upstairs, put on socks, get in and out of the car – all things that used to be a daily struggle. I finally felt like I was getting my life back.
“If you’re struggling like I was, I hope my story inspires you to give it a try. It really can change your life.”
For newcomers, the biggest question often is: mat or reformer Pilates?
Colina and Chris explain that mat work relies on body weight, offering deep core engagement and foundational strength.
Reformer Pilates, however, uses springs to add resistance and support.
Reformer can be especially helpful for clients with mobility limitations, while mat builds pure body control.
The Coast’s Pilates boom shows no sign of slowing.
“Pilates will continue to grow on the Sunshine Coast. And the more people moving and feeling the benefits, the better,” Colina says.
It’s a fast-moving, competitive space, and the demand continues to shape the market.
“We’re now seeing larger gyms and mainstream fitness providers pivot their models to meet the consumer shift towards Pilates-based movement,” Monica says.
As the industry grows, Chris and Colina are noticing more variation in training and delivery, which makes it even more important for clients to look for experienced, well-educated instructors.
“Quality instruction is what ensures Pilates remains safe, effective and truly transformative,” Chris says.
The pair are thrilled that, as of this year, private health funds are once again recognising clinical Pilates.
“This will make personalised, therapeutic Pilates more accessible and further support the growth of the industry in a positive way,” Colina says.
Ultimately, the Coast’s embrace of Pilates reflects something fundamental about the region: a commitment to living well, moving well and ageing with strength and joy.
Mat vs Reformer Pilates: What’s the difference?
Mat Pilates
Pros:
- accessible for every level
- focuses deeply on control, breath and precision
- great for building foundational strength
- can be done anywhere (no equipment).
Cons:
- harder to load progressively
- some people struggle to feel engaged without the feedback the machine gives.
Reformer Pilates
Pros:
- highly supportive and joint-friendly
- offers resistance training with springs
- great for beginners and advanced clients alike
- allows endless variety and progression.
Cons:
- can be intimidating at first glance
- more expensive to run due to equipment and class size.
