FIT House Explains Why Pilates Is Entering the Strength Conversation

The assemblage of boutique fitness brands believes Pilates and strength training are a match made in heaven

Years ago, the stereotypical “gym bro” would’ve looked out of place on a Pilates reformer. His lifting buddies might’ve even chuckled at the sight of him extending out for a lunge. 

Today, however, the notion that Pilates and strength can’t, or shouldn’t, coexist is more deserving of ridicule.

“People no longer view strength training, Pilates, mobility and recovery as completely separate categories,” said Jo Gomez, Director of Athletics, Pilates for FIT House of Brands. “People understand that all of those things work together to support performance, movement quality and longevity.”

Few brands have built around this fusion of strength and Pilates as intentionally as FIT. The recently formed parent company presides over F45 Training, FS8 and Vaura Pilates, which all facilitate both modalities in different, consumer-friendly formats. As those brands grow and as what’s trending aligns with what’s effective for consumers, FIT foresees a future where the reformer is just as synonymous with strength training as the dumbbell.

Why Strength & Pilates Are Coming Together

Improved education around Pilates and strength, along with consumers prioritizing sustainable movement, are the driving forces merging these once isolated modalities. 

Contrary to once popular belief, Pilates helps strength trainers build a foundation for muscle growth. In some cases, modern approaches to it can even substitute for low-weight, high-repetition training. 

“Pilates still maintains its six foundational principles, but many concepts are now layering in additional load, increased time under tension and more athletic programming styles to further develop strength and muscular endurance,” Gomez said. “Pilates builds strength through control, endurance, stability and movement quality. People are realizing that if you cannot stabilize well, move efficiently or maintain alignment under load, there are gaps in your overall strength foundation.”

Those gaps trigger issues that could remove you from the gym entirely. There’s also an argument that avoiding them has never been more crucial with modern adult life becoming more sedentary.

“People are spending more time sitting, dealing with tightness, back pain and movement imbalance, while also wanting to stay active long term,” Gomez said. “They are starting to realize that strength without mobility or stability can often lead to imbalance and injury.”

At the same time, Pilates pushes the body in ways most strength trainers find rewarding, keeping the modality in that sweet spot between functional and fun. 

“Pilates can be extremely challenging from both a muscular endurance and neuromuscular standpoint when programmed with athletic intent,” Gomez said. “As more consumers and athletes experience those benefits firsthand, Pilates is increasingly being viewed not just as recovery or flexibility work, but as a true strength training modality.”

FIT House’s Approach

FIT House’s portfolio of brands sits at the intersection of Pilates and strength. While F45 Training offers high-intensity, 45-minute functional workouts, FIT’s House’s other two nameplates present their own take on Pilates, with FS8 blending it with tone and yoga, while Vaura involves a high-energy Pilates experience with mood lighting and mirrored ceilings. 

Both, however, weave in programming elements that make Pilates an ideal complement for strength training. FS8 breaks it down into three different classes: one on strength and stability, another on conditioning and endurance, and another on mobility and recovery. Collectively, they build balanced strength, and stand out as a unique consumer option. 

“That approach has allowed FS8 to create its own lane in the market that feels different from both traditional contemporary Pilates and Lagree-based concepts,” Gomez said. “The workouts emphasize muscular endurance, unilateral stability, mobility and fundamental movement patterns while still maintaining the accessibility and flow people associate with Pilates.”

Vaura utilizes props to layer in the movement creativity found in contemporary Pilates, but through a more strength-focused lens.

“Rather than props simply adding variety, they are used intentionally to increase stability demands, challenge muscular endurance, create different loading patterns and elevate overall movement complexity within the workout experience,” Gomez said. 

Trainers for both brands take on different, more strength-supporting roles as well. 

“Trainers are not simply guiding movement,” Gomez added. “They are actively coaching performance, movement quality and progression in a way that feels much closer to strength and conditioning than traditional Pilates instruction.”

The Overlap is the Future

While unique now, FIT House sees this strength and Pilates hybridization as an industry pillar in the future. Like many trends today, it stems from the widespread consumer demand for holistic health offerings. 

“Consumers do not want to choose between strength, mobility, recovery and longevity anymore,” Gomez said. “They want all of those benefits together.”

Gomez reported that “more and more” F45 franchisees are investing in FS8 studios to meet this demand, even opening them side-by-side so members can experience the benefits of both concepts easily. 

“I think that is really cool because it reflects how consumers are actually training now,” she said. “They may want higher-intensity functional strength training some days and more mobility, control and Pilates-based strength on others. These multidimensional fitness experiences that help people move better, feel stronger and perform better both inside and outside the studio are the future of this industry.”