Reformer Pilates for Men

[u/Available-Sea6080]

I am a middle-aged, white Caucasian male.

Is there somewhere in Canberra that I can do Reformer Pilates classes without feeling judged?

[u/ThinTerm1327]

Also middle-aged, white Caucasian male here, I have been going to Muse for 4 year, never had an issue, they have a few studies around Canberra

[u/talkerthewalk → u/ThinTerm1327]

Also did Muse for quite a while, always enjoyed it and always felt like nobody really cared who else was in the class.

[u/the-spruce-moose_]

You might be overthinking it - most places where people are exercising they are only focussed on themselves. We’re all there trying to get in, get through the workout and get out again. 

Fwiw there are male regulars who attend the same Muse studio as me (and when I did a recent trawl of pricing structures in other nearby studios Muse also came out on top for the amount of classes that I attend.)

Edit: I saw your other comments - you’re definitely not overthinking it - sorry. Reformer is great, hopefully the next place you try is more welcoming. I was very nervous starting because I was very overweight and very unfit but everyone at Muse has been welcoming :) good luck!  

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/the-spruce-moose_]

I’ve previously, a few years ago, attended two Pilates classes (not Reformer) at my local Club Lime. I was at the front of the class with no one surrounding me.

I thoroughly enjoyed it until I was accosted in the car park by three young women and told that men aren’t welcome in this class, nor any other Pilates classes. And if I ever came back, they’d all complain that I was acting inappropriately.

[u/RedDragonOz → u/Available-Sea6080]

I would have let the gym and instructor know. I've done heaps of yoga, Pilates etc at club lime that had male regulars.

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/RedDragonOz]

Thanks, but sometimes the fight isn’t worth it.

[u/jakartacatlady → u/Available-Sea6080]

Seriously? That's barely even a fight. Stand up for yourself.

[u/Then-Bumblebee1850 → u/Available-Sea6080]

I'm sorry this happened to you.

[u/MarkusMannheim → u/Available-Sea6080]

White middle-aged man here. You experienced a one-off. I've been to Reformer classes and they're great. Try a different venue. Perhaps give feedback to the owners about what happened, too.

[u/Significant_Volume50 → u/Available-Sea6080]

This is the most ridiculous behaviour I've heard of. Sounds like Mean Girls wannabes. I'd have signed up half a dozen of my mates to come along to the next class.

[u/darknighties → u/Significant_Volume50]

Right?! I wonder if they also complain about other females who are larger than them. I'd definitely take my husband to join the class.

[u/DazzlingAd3669]

SISU at Deakin. You can literally book a solo room, but they’re awesome and inclusive for groups too.

I’m too chicken for a group, but I started off visiting for the massage chair booth rooms and then realised as a beginner (there are tv screens with guided workouts) I can actually practice in private without my dyspraxia and coordination making me embarrassed.

https://www.sisucanberra.com.au/services/pilates-movement

The online booking sometimes fails but reception staff are so friendly and helpful don’t be scared to call.

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/DazzlingAd3669]

Thanks. I’d be looking at classes initially to ensure I’m doing it correctly. But self direction afterwards is an interesting idea.

[u/ecinue_sheherazade]

Yes, there is a gym in Belconnen called Elements4Life - I’m currently a member. The classes are usually full of women but there’s also 2-3 men who attend sometimes. The lighting is soft so you don’t feel watched or exposed anyway. The early morning classes aren’t very sociable so everyone just goes in and out without any chatting or favouritism. You’ll be fine and totally unremarked upon.

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/ecinue_sheherazade]

Thanks! I’ll keep it in mind.

[u/NoRisk6130 → u/ecinue_sheherazade]

Just wear dark socks and don't make eye contact with anyone, you'll basically be invisible.

[u/IntroductionNo4743]

Feel Better Pilates* in Lyneham or Hawker. A few men attend and it's a very nice studio with a good mix of age and ability.

Edited to correct name of studio

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/IntroductionNo4743]

Thanks. Studio Pilates also seems to get a lot of thumbs up.

[u/Automatic_Judge6045 → u/Available-Sea6080]

Studio Pilates is great and more guys go on weekends and nights than during weekday mornings.

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/Automatic_Judge6045]

Thanks. I’d be aiming more for weekday early mornings and weekends.

[u/Keepuptheworkforyou → u/Available-Sea6080]

I attend a studio Pilates venue and most classes there is at least one man attending

[u/NuggetsFanSince93 → u/IntroductionNo4743]

Have been going since February and love it. Small correction though, business is called feel better pilates

[u/zambezi-neutron]

I wouldn’t let a bad experience ruin it for you but I hear you. There are men that go to Sisu in Deakin and while it’s rarely ever more than 2, it’s a really inclusive space and I’ve never had anything bad happen there. Obviously I can’t guarantee but sharing my experience

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/zambezi-neutron]

Thanks! I’ll keep it in mind.

[u/beebee022]

I go to Studio Pilates in Belconnen and rate it! There’s men from time to time, albeit not every class but a couple of the instructors are men too.
I don’t chat to anyone except the instructor and that seems to be the norm. I can’t imagine anyone would make you feel unwelcome or comment that it’s for women only.
Early morning classes are less popular - I’ve never seen one booked out. Weekends generally are busy. They do specials pretty regular so you can buy bulk packs at a discount :)

[u/Character_Housing296]

Fitness first in civic, they have reformer Pilates classes. Many men go there.

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/Character_Housing296]

Thanks.

[u/Kind-Board-7961]

Studio Pilates is great, no one cares who you are, everyone is doing their own thing.

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/Kind-Board-7961]

Thanks!!

[u/LoveablePeridot]

Pilates with Dan in Belconnen has a decent few male participants, and I found it to be a very welcoming and non-judgemental environment as someone who is wary of the stereotypical "Pilates crowd" for different reasons

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/LoveablePeridot]

Thanks!

[u/Pmoney1010]

Higher Function Physio & Pilates they are really great and welcoming. Small classes mixed groups of all ages.

[u/Illustrious-Past2032]

Been attending Power flow pilates in McKellar for 2+ years, pretty much the solo male at the class times I attend. Haven't felt judged, instructors friendly.

[u/ObviousPast → u/Illustrious-Past2032]

I also attend the Power Flow studio in Mawson and there are often a couple of men in my classes - the instructors and excellent and there’s always a welcoming, non-judgmental atmosphere!

[u/ProbablyStillMe]

I used to go to Pilates Can and always felt welcome. I did mat classes, but I'm pretty sure they also do reformer.

[u/mrcaponeau]

When you say judged, is this you have tried and something has happened or a concern you have before you have gone ?

Curious as I’m mid 40’s, I’m looking to do some Pilates or Yoga to help with stretching, but if the communities are not that welcoming I’ll probably give it a skip.

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/mrcaponeau]

I’ve previously, a few years ago, attended two Pilates classes (not Reformer) at my local Club Lime. I was at the front of the class with no one surrounding me.

I thoroughly enjoyed it until I was accosted in the car park by three young women and told that men aren’t welcome in this class, nor any other Pilates classes. And if I ever came back, they’d all complain that I was acting inappropriately.

[u/mrcaponeau → u/Available-Sea6080]

Thanks for the info, that’s a shit outcome, hopefully you can find somewhere more accepting.

[u/Cultural-Classic-847 → u/Available-Sea6080]

You should have called them out! Don't take shit from them. You have a right to be there just as much as they do. But if they are doing shit like this!! Then they don't have a right to be there because they are the ones acting inappropriately!

[u/CircadianSpork → u/mrcaponeau]

OP’s experience is definitely unusual. I’m a middle aged man who has been doing Pilates for 10+ years and while I’m definitely in the minority I’ve never been made to feel unwelcome in the slightest. And Pilates has been great for my back pain!

[u/Cool-Guava2276]

I go to studio pilates in belco, often a man or two there.

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/Cool-Guava2276]

Thanks!

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks

[u/Grix1600]

There is a dedicated spot upstairs at Club Lime Conder, when I’ve gone there it is very quiet around 5-6pm.

[u/Kinigula7]

KX in Braddon is great

[u/BraveReality6088 → u/Kinigula7]

Yep, I’ve been in classes with men and no one bats an eye. They used to have two male teachers there and actually had a male only class that my husband attended. I don’t think they offer male only classes anymore, but I think the fact that was on offer tells you the vibe and that men are welcome.

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/BraveReality6088]

Thanks. I suspect that male-only classes just aren’t profitable at the moment.

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/Kinigula7]

Thanks.

[u/BJJ411]

Reset in Belconnen have reformer Pilates. It’s self guided with each reformer having its own screen, so it’s not a class but it’s 24/7 and you can go whenever you like and it’s rarely busy. Well priced aswell. Well worth checking out.

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/BJJ411]

Thanks. That’s interesting, although I’d probably prefer to be taught first before exploring this option further.

[u/BJJ411 → u/Available-Sea6080]

If it helps there are over 1000 classes available on the screens and they range from absolute beginner to expert.

[u/NevilleNessy]

Hubby and I are late 50s and have been going for 3 years now. Lots of men in the classes, initially we were at Muse in Woden and now Club Pilates in Tuggeranong.

You will certainly be more than welcome!

And good for you. Best thing we ever did. It also helps if you tell yourself you're just lying down for an hour!

[u/Emotional-Cry5236]

Your Studio in Mitchell is great! There's often one or two guys in the classes. Definitely no judgement there, always a diverse range of shapes, sizes, ages and abilities. I've found Pilates to be much more welcoming and inclusive than gym classes

[u/Toadmilk2792]

Highly recommend any of the studio Pilates locations. I know Tuggeranong even has a few male instructors as well.

[u/AutoTurnip]

The Rfmr crew at Narrabunda are a good mix of genders & ages. It’s not uncommon to be in a class with everything from 20 to 90 year olds.

[u/justanotherkiwi2]

the pilates centre in phillip

[u/chai-tiger]

Also recommend Feel Better Pilates in Lyneham and Hawker. Diverse ages and bodies and have seen a few men in the classes and they just do their thing like the rest of us.

[u/Lefty156]

@pilates 24/7 in Kingston is a 24hr studio run through video screens. Everyone has headphones on, doing their own classes at their own pace. It’s super friendly for beginners and the staff are friendly and helpful.

There are also programs for different groups in the system, there’s one for runners, one for golfers, one for Generation X, as well as pregnancy and post natal friendly classes and programs

[u/Consistent-Still-779]

Often a middle aged man or two happily in my classes at Kingston Muse

[u/Terrible-Trouble-387]

Studio Pilates have quite a few men that attend classes regularly. The communities are welcoming and but once class starts … no one is looking at anyone else.

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/Terrible-Trouble-387]

Thanks! Studio Pilates seems to look like a popular option.

[u/Nomesne]

Yeah the gyms should do some men only classes as the womens classes can treat you like creeps but theyre probably not allowed to have ‘men only’ classes.

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/Nomesne]

Of course are allowed to have male-only classes—there’s nothing stopping them. It’s probably not profitable.

[u/Luckisalsoaskill]

Is this bait? If the instructor is happy to have you what’s the problem?

[u/Available-Sea6080 → u/Luckisalsoaskill]

It was not the instructor. It was the other participants.

[u/the-spruce-moose_ → u/Available-Sea6080]

Aww that’s rough - I would find it really challenging going back at all if the vibe was like that :/ Good job sticking at it and looking for a different place.

[u/PlanetaryThunder → u/Luckisalsoaskill]

Best not to gaslight this guys experience.

[u/azza323]

Im late 40s and go to Studio Pilates in Tuggeranong. There is usually at least 1 or more other men in the classes I attend. I was pretty uncoordinated when I started and have never felt judged or uncomfortable there.