Celebrities Who Do Pilates: 50 Famous Faces and Their Reformer Routines - Peak Primal Wellness

Celebrities Who Do Pilates: 50 Famous Faces and Their Reformer Routines

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Celebrities Who Do Pilates: 50 Famous Faces and Their Reformer Routines

From Meghan Markle to LeBron James, discover how Hollywood's elite use Pilates to sculpt, strengthen, and stay at the top of their game.

By Peak Primal Wellness10 min read

Key Takeaways

  • Pilates is genuinely mainstream: From Oscar winners to Olympic athletes, pilates reformer training has become one of the most widely adopted fitness methods among high-performers worldwide.
  • The reformer is the tool of choice: The vast majority of celebrities who do pilates favor the reformer machine over mat-only practice for its resistance, range of motion, and full-body engagement.
  • It's not just for women: Male celebrities including LeBron James, Chris Hemsworth, and Tiger Woods have all credited pilates with improving their athletic performance and longevity.
  • Consistency is the common thread: Most celebrity pilates devotees practice three to five times per week, year-round — not just during film prep or competition season.
  • Pilates complements other training: The majority of celebrities pair pilates with other disciplines (strength training, cardio, dance) rather than using it as their sole workout.
  • Rehabilitation drives many conversions: A significant number of celebrities discovered pilates after an injury, drawn in by its low-impact, joint-friendly approach to rebuilding strength.

📖 Go Deeper

Want the full picture? Read our The Ultimate Guide to Pilates Equipment for everything you need to know.

Why Celebrities Love Pilates

Walk past any upscale pilates studio in Los Angeles, New York, or London on a Tuesday morning and you're likely to recognize a face or two. Pilates — and specifically the reformer — has embedded itself so deeply into celebrity culture that it's almost become shorthand for a certain kind of disciplined, body-aware lifestyle. But there's a reason this method has stuck around when so many other Hollywood fitness trends have quietly faded.

At its core, pilates builds strength without excessive bulk, improves postural alignment, and develops the kind of deep core stability that supports everything from dancing to tennis to carrying a toddler. For people whose bodies are literally their instrument — actors, athletes, dancers — those benefits are enormously practical. Research published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies has consistently shown that regular pilates practice improves core endurance, spinal flexibility, and neuromuscular control, all of which translate directly to better performance in other physical disciplines.

There's also the mental dimension. Pilates demands focus. You can't scroll your phone during a reformer session — the movement requires genuine concentration, which many celebrities describe as a form of moving meditation during otherwise chaotic schedules. That dual benefit of physical conditioning and mental reset makes it uniquely appealing to high-performers under constant pressure.

Hollywood Actresses and Their Pilates Routines

Isometric cutaway diagram of a Pilates reformer machine with labeled components including springs, carriage, footbar, and pulley system

The list of A-list actresses who credit pilates as a cornerstone of their fitness is long and impressively diverse. These are not casual dabblers — most have been practicing for years, often with dedicated private instructors who travel with them on set.

  • Reese Witherspoon has been photographed leaving her pilates studio in Nashville and Los Angeles for over a decade. She practices reformer pilates five days a week, often first thing in the morning, and credits the method with her consistent energy levels.
  • Jennifer Aniston is perhaps the most vocal celebrity pilates advocate of her generation. She's practiced for more than 30 years and has described the reformer as the one piece of equipment she'd choose if she could only use one. Her routine includes footwork, long spine, and short spine sequences.
  • Gwyneth Paltrow practically co-signed pilates for mainstream audiences when she began openly discussing it through Goop. She practices classical reformer pilates and has partnered with several pilates studios.
  • Margot Robbie trained extensively on the reformer to prepare for her role in Barbie, building lean muscle tone while maintaining the flexibility needed for the film's movement-heavy scenes.
  • Kate Hudson grew up around dance and transitioned naturally into pilates. She co-founded Fabletics partly out of her passion for movement-based fitness, and reformer sessions are a non-negotiable part of her weekly schedule.
  • Zoe Saldana incorporated pilates into her Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy training regimens, using it to maintain flexibility and core control during complex action sequences.
  • Naomi Watts began pilates after a back injury and became such a devoted practitioner that she's spoken about it in nearly every fitness interview she's given since.
  • Olivia Wilde relies on reformer pilates as her primary fitness method, often choosing it over traditional gym sessions because of its efficiency and the way it makes her feel in her posture and movement.
  • Kerry Washington has cited pilates as the workout that transformed her relationship with her body. She practices several times a week and has worked with the same instructor for years.
  • Hilary Swank initially came to pilates for injury recovery and has stayed for the performance benefits. As a two-time Oscar winner who has transformed her body for physically demanding roles, she appreciates the method's precision.
Pro Tip: Many of these actresses work with Romana-trained or contemporary pilates instructors who customize reformer programming to the specific physical demands of their upcoming projects. If you're training for a goal — a race, a performance, a physical challenge — working with an instructor who understands your objective makes a measurable difference.
  • Nicole Kidman has discussed using pilates to maintain posture and elongation throughout her career, calling it her secret weapon against the physical toll of long film shoots.
  • Sandra Bullock is a long-time reformer devotee who has worked with celebrity pilates trainer Jason Wimberly. She incorporates it into training for action roles and credits it with keeping her spine healthy.
  • Alicia Vikander added pilates to her rigorous training schedule for Tomb Raider, using it specifically for functional core strength that translated to stunts and wire work.
  • Emma Stone has been photographed leaving pilates studios in New York and Los Angeles regularly. She favors the method for managing anxiety as much as for physical conditioning.
  • Lupita Nyong'o trained on the reformer during her preparation for Black Panther, layering pilates over her strength and martial arts training to develop body control.

Male Celebrities Who Do Pilates

The notion that pilates is "just for women" is thoroughly dismantled the moment you look at who created the method. Joseph Pilates was a boxer, gymnast, and martial artist who developed his technique to build warrior-level strength and control. Today, a growing number of male celebrities — athletes, actors, and musicians — have adopted the reformer as a serious performance tool.

  • LeBron James has incorporated pilates into his legendary longevity protocol. Given that he's one of the most physically durable players in NBA history, the fact that pilates is part of his recovery and conditioning toolkit deserves serious attention.
  • Tiger Woods began using pilates during rehabilitation from his multiple back surgeries and has credited it with rebuilding the rotational strength and spinal stability needed to compete at the highest level of professional golf.
  • Andy Murray adopted reformer pilates as a core component of his injury recovery and has continued it as maintenance work, particularly for his hip and back.
  • Chris Hemsworth layers pilates into his broader fitness programming. While he's known for the heavy lifting that builds his Thor physique, he uses pilates to address mobility, prevent imbalances, and support spinal health.
  • Hugh Grant became a quiet pilates convert in his fifties and has spoken candidly about how the method helped him maintain physical capability and posture as he aged.
  • Jake Gyllenhaal has trained on the reformer for multiple film roles, valuing it for functional strength and the refined body control it produces compared to conventional weight training alone.
  • David Beckham has publicly discussed his pilates practice on social media, showing reformer exercises as part of his ongoing fitness maintenance in retirement from professional football.
  • Sylvester Stallone incorporated pilates in his training as he moved through his sixties, using it to maintain the muscular control and mobility needed for physically demanding roles.
  • Russell Brand has spoken extensively about pilates in his wellness-oriented public conversations, crediting it with fundamentally changing how he understands his body.
  • Roberto Carlos and several other professional footballers have adopted pilates specifically for hip flexor health, hamstring flexibility, and the core stability that underpins powerful striking mechanics.

Musicians and Dancers Who Practice Pilates

The connection between pilates and the performing arts world runs deep. Pilates was originally adopted by the dance community in New York in the mid-twentieth century, and that lineage continues today. For performers whose art form demands extraordinary body control, pilates is less of a fitness trend and more of a professional necessity.

  • Madonna has practiced pilates for decades and was instrumental in bringing it to mainstream attention in the 1990s. Her physical capability through her sixties is a testament to a lifetime of reformer work combined with dance training.
  • Beyoncé incorporates pilates into the cross-training that supports her notoriously demanding live performances. Core stability and postural endurance are essential for two-hour arena shows, and pilates delivers both.
  • Lady Gaga turned to pilates during recovery from her fibromyalgia symptoms and hip surgery, finding it one of the few methods gentle enough to work with her pain levels while still building meaningful strength.
  • Jennifer Lopez has used pilates throughout her career as a dancer-turned-singer-turned-actress. At an age when many performers have slowed down, her continued ability to execute demanding choreography speaks to a foundational fitness practice that pilates is central to.
  • Lizzo has discussed her pilates practice openly as part of a broader conversation about joyful, strength-oriented movement. She uses it to build the core power needed for both performance and brass instrument playing.
  • Julianne Hough, a professional dancer and choreographer, is a pilates devotee who has credited it with extending the life of her dancing career by maintaining joint health and muscular balance.
  • Misty Copeland, the first African-American female principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, incorporates pilates into her training as a natural extension of dance conditioning, using it for hip stability and spinal articulation.
  • Shakira uses pilates to maintain the exceptional spinal mobility and hip control that defines her dance style. Her reformer practice specifically addresses thoracic mobility and deep abdominal strength.

Elite Athletes Who Use Pilates for Performance

Anatomical muscle activation map showing primary and secondary muscles engaged during Pilates reformer exercises for athletic performance

Sports science has progressively validated what Joseph Pilates claimed from the beginning — that his method develops functional, transferable strength. Today, pilates is integrated into the training programs of elite athletes across virtually every discipline, not as a novelty but as a genuine performance enhancer.

Research Insight: A study published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy found that athletes who incorporated Pilates into their training programs showed statistically significant improvements in core endurance, dynamic balance, and sport-specific performance metrics compared to control groups. These findings align with what elite coaches have observed anecdotally for years.
  • Serena Williams has used pilates extensively throughout her career for core stability, rotational power, and injury prevention. Her trainer has confirmed reformer sessions as a consistent feature of her preparation.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly incorporates pilates into his remarkable maintenance and recovery protocols. His extraordinary career longevity in professional football — one of sport's most physically demanding environments — reflects the quality of his supplementary training.
  • Lindsey Vonn turned to pilates during her lengthy rehabilitation from a series of devastating knee injuries. She has credited it with rebuilding the hip and core stability needed to return to competitive alpine skiing.
  • Kobe Bryant was an early adopter of pilates among NBA players. His meticulous approach to physical conditioning famously included reformer sessions well before it was common among basketball players, and he encouraged teammates to explore it.
  • Laird Hamilton, the big wave surfer, is one of the most outspoken male celebrity advocates for pilates. He has incorporated it into the extreme fitness protocol he practices and teaches, valuing it for the three-dimensional core strength essential for surfing massive waves.
  • Martina Navratilova adopted pilates in the later stages of her playing career and has continued well into her post-competitive life, crediting it with keeping her physically active and pain-free.
  • Steph Curry has spoken about adding reformer pilates to his training, specifically for ankle stability and proprioception following his well-publicized early-career ankle issues.
  • Dani Alves and several other professional footballers have adopted pilates specifically for hip flexor health, hamstring flexibility, and core stability that underpins powerful striking mechanics.

More Famous Faces in the Pilates Studio

The full list of celebrities who do pilates extends well beyond the worlds of film, music, and sport. Models, television personalities, and public figures across industries have quietly made the reformer a fixture in their wellness routines.

  • Gigi Hadid trained with celebrity instructor Jacqueline Kasen and made her reformer sessions a cornerstone of her fashion week preparation, building the postural confidence that defines runway presence.
  • Bella Hadid shares her sister's commitment to the reformer and has described it as one of the few workouts that leaves her feeling simultaneously worked and restored.
  • Miranda Kerr has practiced pilates for most of her modelling career, integrating it with yoga for a flexibility and strength foundation she considers non-negotiable.
  • Karlie Kloss is another model who has embraced pilates as her primary conditioning method, specifically for the posture and core control it builds.
  • Kim Kardashian has incorporated pilates into her fitness rotation more recently, sharing reformer content on social media and discussing its role in her strength maintenance.
  • Sofia Vergara has practiced pilates throughout her career in Modern Family and beyond, often combining it with dance cardio for a complete fitness approach.
  • Demi Moore was practicing pilates well before it reached mainstream awareness and has maintained the discipline for decades.
  • Julia Roberts is a long-time pilates practitioner who has cited it as her preferred method for managing the physical demands of a decades-long career.
  • Vanessa Hudgens attends pilates studios in Los Angeles regularly and has discussed its role in her overall wellness approach, alongside boxing and hiking.
  • Ariana Grande has quietly added reformer pilates to her touring fitness routine, using it for core strength and postural support during the physical demands of live performance.
  • Camila Cabello began practicing pilates as part of a broader shift toward strength-based fitness and has

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do so many celebrities choose Pilates over other workout methods?

Pilates offers a low-impact, high-results approach that builds long, lean muscle without adding bulk — a quality many celebrities prioritize for their on-screen appearance. It also improves posture, core strength, and flexibility simultaneously, making it an efficient full-body workout for people with demanding schedules. The mental focus required during Pilates sessions is an added draw for high-stress celebrity lifestyles.

What is a Reformer, and why do celebrities prefer it over mat Pilates?

The Reformer is a spring-resistance machine that uses a sliding carriage, straps, and adjustable tension to create a wide variety of exercises targeting virtually every muscle group. Celebrities tend to prefer it because the resistance system allows for more precise muscle targeting and a greater range of challenging exercises than mat work alone. Many top studios in Los Angeles, New York, and London are Reformer-focused, making it the natural choice for celebrities seeking elite-level instruction.

How often do celebrities typically do Pilates each week?

Most celebrities who practice Pilates consistently report doing three to five sessions per week, often combining it with complementary workouts like strength training, yoga, or cardio. When preparing for a specific role or red carpet event, some celebrities increase their frequency to daily sessions with a private instructor. Consistency over time is typically cited as the key factor behind the noticeable physical transformations linked to a Pilates practice.

Is Pilates safe for beginners who want to train like their favorite celebrity?

Yes, Pilates is widely considered one of the safest exercise modalities for beginners because it emphasizes controlled movement, proper alignment, and gradual progression rather than heavy loads or high impact. Beginners should start with a certified instructor — either in a studio or via a structured online program — to learn correct form before attempting more advanced Reformer exercises. Most people can begin seeing improvements in core strength and posture within four to six weeks of consistent practice.

How much does it cost to do Pilates like a celebrity?

Private Reformer sessions with a top-tier instructor in major cities can range from $80 to $200 or more per session, which is the level many celebrities access through personal trainers. Group Reformer classes at boutique studios typically cost between $30 and $60 per class, and monthly memberships can range from $150 to $400 depending on location and class frequency. For a more budget-friendly option, high-quality online Pilates platforms offer subscription access for as little as $10 to $30 per month.

Can Pilates help with injury recovery the way celebrities claim?

Pilates has a well-documented history in physical rehabilitation — it was originally developed by Joseph Pilates to help injured dancers recover — and many celebrities have publicly credited it with helping them recover from back injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, and chronic pain. Its focus on stabilizing the deep core muscles takes pressure off joints and the spine, which is particularly beneficial for injury recovery. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any exercise program post-injury, and look for instructors with clinical or rehabilitation training.

Do celebrities use Pilates for weight loss, or is it more about toning?

Pilates is primarily a strength and mobility practice rather than a high-calorie-burning cardiovascular workout, so most celebrities use it for sculpting, toning, and improving body composition rather than as their primary weight loss tool. That said, regular Pilates can support weight management by building lean muscle mass, which increases resting metabolic rate over time. Many celebrities combine Pilates with dietary changes and other forms of cardio to achieve more significant body composition shifts.

Can I buy a home Reformer to replicate celebrity Pilates routines?

Yes, home Reformers are widely available and range from entry-level models priced around $300 to $800 to professional-grade machines that can cost $3,000 to $7,000 or more — the latter being closer to what celebrities may have in their home gyms. Mid-range options in the $1,000 to $2,500 range are a popular choice for serious home practitioners who want solid build quality without the commercial price tag. Before purchasing, it is strongly recommended to take several studio classes first so you understand proper form and can get the most out of your home equipment.

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