Nofar Hagag is introducing a male-focused entry point to Pilates, reframing the workout around performance, injury prevention and strength without changing the method itself
Pilates has exploded in popularity over the past several years, but many men remain reticent to try the fitness craze.
Nofar Hagag, founder of Nofar Method, believes that’s less about interest and more about access. After years of operating in New York and Miami, Hagag began noticing a recurring pattern: men were asking questions about Pilates, but hesitating to book.
Rather than altering the methodology, Hagag built a men’s-only class designed to lower the barrier to entry. The goal, she says, is not to modify Pilates but to reposition it.
“I didn’t create this class because Pilates is ‘for women’ and men need something different. I created it because I noticed that many men were curious about Pilates but felt intimidated walking into a room where the majority of participants were women,” Hagag told Athletech News. “They often assumed they weren’t flexible enough, that Pilates was just stretching, or that it simply wasn’t for them.”
Classes are held on Saturdays at noon in the brand’s Flatiron, New York City, location.
“At the end of the day, this is about education. … I realized that men don’t need a different workout; they need a different entry point and a different language that makes them feel comfortable and understood,” Hagag added. “The principles of Pilates are the same, but how we apply them matters. Certain exercises, resistance levels and progressions affect male and female bodies differently, and it’s the teacher’s knowledge that makes the difference.”
The shift is largely in the coaching framework.
Hagag ties movement patterns directly to athletic performance and injury prevention, two themes that resonate with male clients who lift weights, run or play rotational sports. Her approach includes translating mobility work into measurable outcomes.
“For example, improving thoracic rotation and hip mobility directly supports sports like golf and tennis by allowing more power and control through the swing, while core stability, glute activation and spinal alignment help support weight training, running and overall joint protection,” Hagag explained. “Many men arrive with tight hips, limited mobility and dominant muscle patterns, so I intentionally select exercises, resistance and progressions that correct those imbalances while still challenging them with strength-based work.”
The brand has welcomed NFL players including Super Bowl champion Tyler Steen from the Eagles, and players from the 49ers, Chargers and Seahawks.
The decision to formalize the offering was driven by repeated client conversations and a rise in male clients from roughly 10% to nearly 25%.
“Over the past year, we also saw a steady increase in men joining group classes, often arriving with the same concerns, not feeling flexible enough, not knowing what to expect or feeling out of place,” Hagag said. “To skeptics, I would say: try it once before you decide it’s not for you. Most of the hesitation comes from misconceptions about what Pilates actually is.”