2000 decision in Manhattan\u2019s federal court<\/a> made Pilates a generic term, much like yoga or karate.<\/p>\nRecent changes also include more accessible machines, group classes and adding music to classes. Previously, Reformer classes were done one-on-one or in small groups.<\/p>\n
\u201cGroup Reformer has become so popular, it really wasn\u2019t 20 years ago,\u201d Shaw said. \u201cBut now you have rooms with 20 or 30 machines\u2026it\u2019s just become more of a party.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim Heidenreich, CEO of Merrithew, agrees. Founded in 1988 and based in Toronto, Merrithew is best known for the Stott Pilates method. Stott Pilates is a contemporary approach to the original exercise method pioneered by Joseph Pilates. Co-founders Lindsay G. Merrithew and Moira Merrithew, along with a team of physical therapists, sports medicine and fitness professionals, developed the method in the 1990s.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that community element of people doing the group Reformer has exposed a lot more people to it and it has become a lot more mainstream,\u201d Heidenreich said at the opening celebration of the Stott Pilates Studio and Academy last week.<\/p>\n
![\"pilates](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pilates-trend-toronto-2.jpg\")
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The group Reformer studio at Stott Pilates Studio and Academy. Photo: Stott Pilates Studio and Academy<\/p>\n
The 15,000 square-foot space at Yonge and Bloor features three studios along with spaces to train Pilates instructors, said Heidenreich. The Reformer studio has 12 machines. There is a chair and matt studio with 10 stability chairs for group classes, and there is a private studio for one-on-one, semi-private and small group training.<\/p>\n
Heidenreich said more people are also encountering Pilates through rehab, sports training and older adult fitness.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is amenable to somebody who is coming out of a physio situation for corrective exercise and you can also fine-tune it and make it relevant to the athletic community as well,\u201d said Jennifer Dahl, Stott Pilates master trainer.<\/p>\n
Also coming out of COVID, people started to become more interested in health and fitness, and Reformer Pilates offered that sense of community people missed during lockdown, Heidenreich said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPilates is different because it\u2019s about alignment, it\u2019s about breath, it\u2019s about mind-body\u2014that encourages a community element to it and I think the experience and the community element is something people are really enjoying,\u201d Heidenreich said.<\/p>\n
Social media has also played a role, said Wayne Seeto, director of education programming at Merrithew\/Stott Pilates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think social media allows you to show that it is accessible,\u201d said Seeto. \u201cBefore you had to know someone or have a reason for doing Pilates, but now you see it, and you think, \u2018Oh I think I can do that.’\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"pilates](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/pilates-trend-toronto-4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Stott Pilates Reformer machines have straps, sliding beds and springs for a full body workout. Photo: Karen Longwell<\/p>\n
The growth continues for Shaw\u2019s studio, where she plans to add three or four more Reformer machines for a total of around 12 this spring. The High Park area neighbourhood near Soul Fuel has had at least four or five new Reformer Pilates studios open since 2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s how fast it\u2019s grown,\u201d said Shaw.<\/p>\n
Lead photo of Stott Pilates Studio and Academy: Karen Longwell<\/p>\n
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