08/09/2026
The American College of Sports Medicine just released its first major update to resistance training guidelines in 17 years, and it’s good news for Pilates.
137 systematic reviews. 30,000+ participants. And one very clear conclusion: there is no single “right” way to resistance train.
Resistance doesn’t have to mean barbells and gym machines. It can come from springs, body weight, bands, gravity and lever length, all things we work with every day in Pilates.
The research also confirmed what great Pilates teachers already know:
✔ Consistency matters more than complexity
✔ The best programme is one people can actually stick with
✔ Training should be matched to the individual and their goal
Done well, Pilates already delivers many of the qualities this review highlights, strength, resistance, progression and functional movement.
Our Global Education Advisor Dawn Buoy has written a full breakdown of what the new ACSM guidelines mean for Pilates and your teaching practice.
Tap the link in bio to read the full article. 👆