Jennifer Aniston says that mat-based pilates has made her stronger. Hailey Bieber has talked about how good it is to use a reformer to get stronger. Gwyneth Paltrow has been talking about how infrared pilates can make you feel better for a long time.
Tower pilates is becoming more popular among the A-list wellness crowd. It’s a workout that improves balance and flexibility, in addition to the well-known shaping, toning, and full-conditioning benefits that have always been associated with pilates.
There’s another big draw. As our lives become more and more digital, with tech neck and bad posture becoming common problems, a practice that helps relieve back pain, improve alignment, and strengthen the core is clearly appealing.
Experts explain all the benefits of this workout, which is becoming more and more popular, below…
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What is pilates on a tower?
Josie Crafts, a master trainer at The Method, says that tower pilates uses a fixed vertical frame that is either attached to the wall or at the end of a reformer bed. The frame has different attachments, such as arm and leg springs, a roll back bar and a push-through bar. “It’s a low-impact, full-body workout that focuses on alignment and uses fixed points of resistance to support and challenge the body. This leads to better strength, stability, and flexibility,” she says.
At first, it was meant to go along with traditional mat-based and reformer pilates.Tower pilates was first made to improve mat and reformer workouts. “It’s becoming popular on its own because people want to deepen their practice,” says Caroline Bragg, a master pilates trainer at Third Space.
What are the advantages of tower pilates?
The springs and bars in tower pilates make it different because they let you do a wide range of precise movements. Crafts says, “The tower helps build body awareness and strength, increases flexibility, and fixes imbalances and bad posture by using controlled, precise movements.”
Another great thing about it for people who spend a lot of time in front of a screen is that it can help you stand up straighter and better align your body. The class is great for stiff joints because it doesn’t put too much stress on them. Regular practice can help fix muscle imbalances and ease tension in the neck and back. “Tower Pilates teaches your body to support itself in a better way, which improves your posture and alignment. The springs give feedback on contact, which improves proprioception while keeping strength and flexibility in balance. Crafts agrees that the slow, controlled movements also help you become more aware of your body. Over time, this makes standing and moving with better alignment feel natural and easy, not tense or controlled.
People are also saying that tower pilates can help you get fit and healthy in general. “The tower doesn’t have a set order like the mat or reformer, so the exercise can be done at a slower pace and with more focus and control. Bragg says, “This lets you work through some of the more detailed parts and really hone their practice.”
What makes it different from regular mat pilates and reformer?
The practice, pace, and units are all different. “A tower unit is the same as both ends of a Cadillac. Bragg says, “There are four sets of springs: two that can move and two that are fixed but can be loaded from the top or bottom (a roll down bar and a push through bar).”The springs are attached to one fixed point and then to the body. This is different from a traditional reformer, where the springs are attached from each side below the carriage. There is a mat on the tower instead of a moving carriage.
The springs help with support and feedback from the body, which makes this a very effective workout for anyone who wants to improve their alignment, mobility, and strength. Crafts says, “Unlike reformer pilates, there is no moving carriage, so movements are slower and more precise, with a strong focus on posture, spinal articulation, and deep core connection.”
Why is it becoming more popular in 2026?
Crafts says, “There is a general shift toward holistic, sustainable physical wellness, and pilates is becoming more popular as a whole. Tower pilates fits perfectly with that shift.”
It’s also not a coincidence that people are excited about this workout right now when stress and nervous system problems are at an all-time high.Crafts says, “It’s great for anyone who wants to slow down and see real results because it has low-impact movements and focuses on the mind-body connection.”
Who is this workout best for?
Anyone who wants to improve their posture and balance will love the tower. Crafts says, “Whether you’re a complete beginner, coming back from an injury, or an experienced practitioner looking for deeper resistance.”
Where can you book tower pilates in London right now?
More and more fitness studios are starting to offer the new workout. The Method will open its new flagship club in March, and as part of that, it will launch reformer and tower. Virgin Active is one of the first gyms in London to add tower to its schedule, and Third Space has also added it to its classes.
Tower Pilates Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Equipment | Fixed vertical frame with springs and bars |
| Main Benefits | Improves balance, flexibility, and strength |
| Impact Level | Low-impact full-body workout |
| Best For | Posture improvement and core strength |
| Popular In | London fitness studios |
