APPI Talks: Pilates

In recent years, Pilates practiced in group classes using the Reformer apparatus has gained great popularity, to the point of being presented in the fitness world as an independent and innovative discipline.
Pilates is a comprehensive system, based on precise principles such as control, concentration, flow, and breathing. Within this system, each piece of equipment, from the Reformer to the Cadillac, from the Chair to smaller tools, plays a specific role, contributing to the development of strength, mobility, and body awareness in a balanced way.
This talk therefore aims to bring attention back to the essence of the discipline, going beyond trends in order to rediscover its underlying somatic origins.

Pilates is experiencing unprecedented growth, evolving from a niche discipline into a global wellness and fitness phenomenon. But who are today's Pilates practitioners in Italy? What motivates them to choose this discipline? And where are new business opportunities emerging?
Drawing on data from the latest Format Research study commissioned by APPI, this talk will provide an in-depth analysis of practitioner profiles, training habits, the fastest-growing geographical areas, and the new dynamics shaping the market. A valuable opportunity to understand how Pilates is evolving, addressing needs related to well-being, health, quality of life, and emerging consumption models.

State of the art, regulations, certifications and ATECO codes
Pilates is often associated with the world of sport or gymnastics, but is this definition truly accurate? The talk will explore the current state of the discipline from a regulatory, educational and professional perspective, analysing certifications, professional classifications and ATECO codes related to the sector.
Through clear slides and reference data, it will be explained why Pilates cannot be strictly defined as a sport and why it would be reductive to consider it merely a form of gymnastics.
The objective is to offer a more informed understanding of Pilates as a somatic discipline, grounded in movement education, body awareness and the mind-body relationship, distinguishing its identity, purpose and approach from those of traditional sporting activities.

Training, teaching, the 'spaces' of Pilates and safety
The growth of Pilates is opening up new professional and entrepreneurial opportunities, but alongside the sector's boom, critical issues are also emerging related to the quality of training, the competencies of instructors, and the safety of practitioners.
The talk will analyse the prospects of the Pilates market in Italy and abroad, exploring the risks of rapid and insufficiently regulated expansion, which increasingly leads to negative experiences or injuries resulting from inadequate preparation and inappropriate approaches.
Through a discussion on the role of training, the importance of the contexts in which Pilates is taught, and the professional responsibility of practitioners, we will seek to understand how to build a sustainable, credible, and above all safe business for the client, promoting quality, competence, and the protection of the individual.