When Melbourne pilates business owner Georgia posted a chatty TikTok after a long day in one of her studios, she didn’t expect it to spark such a huge debate.
“We’ve had a review come in from a member, and I’d love to hear what you think about it,” the CorePlus Collingwood and Fitzroy North franchise owner said as she started the clip, which has been viewed over 27,000 times.
“It says something along the lines of ‘Men are required to wear shirts in a gym, so they should be required to wear shirts in a hot pilates studio.’
“So obviously, this review is in response to a guy being topless in the studio, and it’s been left by a female member. I find it really interesting because I totally understand where this member is coming from.”
She went on to explain that, unlike some local studios with a strict “shirts-on policy,” her studio culture is based around personal comfort.
“We’ve worked so hard to create this culture where people feel comfortable and confident to wear whatever they like — within reason. No one’s walking in in their birthday suit. But no one’s really looking at anyone else either. Everyone’s in their own lane,” she said
Studio owner speaks out
Speaking to news.com.au, Georgia admitted the member’s complaint caught her off guard.
“It’s actually not something we’ve come across before,” she admitted. “I know there are cases in the studios where men have gone topless, but this is the first member review we’ve had about it. Maybe because other studios have brought in a ‘top on for men’ policy more recently, so it’s front of mind and potentially more frowned upon now that it’s been brought to light.”
When deciding what’s appropriate, Georgia said, for her, it’s all about mutual respect among her members.
“We’ve only had a few instances where inappropriate clothing has been worn, and we’ve respectfully asked them to wear additional clothing for the comfort of other members in the room,” she explained.
“It’s never been a point of contention or conflict in our space as everyone is really considerate and respectful!”
The ‘heated’ pilates debate
In the comments, some argued the rule “should be the same for everyone.”
“Even if women just wear tiny crop tops, it’s still a top! Everything is covered. The guys should be wearing shirts too,” one said.
Others were surprised to discover some men weren’t wearing shirts in pilates classes and said the thought made them feel “uncomfortable.”
“Wait, what? That’s kind of weird,” one commenter replied. “The audacity of men.”
“I didn’t pay $30 for a hot pilates class to see a sweaty man with his shirt off!” yet another added. “It’s a business, not a beach.”
Others called it “gratuitous,” while plenty raised concerns about hygiene, especially given the amount of sweat and body odour that can be produced during these types of classes.
On the other side, many said it wasn’t an issue for them.
“I honestly couldn’t care,” said one. “I’m there doing my own workout. I’m not bothered about what everyone else is wearing. Everyone should focus on their own workout.”
“Why does this member have a problem with what others are wearing? I think people should just wear what they feel comfortable training in, and everyone should mind their own business and not judge what others wear,” another wrote.
A growing movement
To understand the issue better, it helps to know that hot pilates is usually held in rooms heated to 34-38 degrees.
The classes, typically done on individual mats, combine functional strength training with low-impact cardio, with the heat said to improve circulation, joint mobility, and allow people to go deeper into stretches.
But it also makes clothing choices a practical consideration.
Put simply, there’s a lot of sweating involved.
For years, pilates was stereotyped as a woman’s workout, sometimes as a couple’s activity where a man might tag along.
But Georgia said that the tide was turning, and men have increasingly been coming “of their own accord.”
With this increase, shirtless men in pilates are becoming more common, and not just in Melbourne.
Elsewhere, on TikTok and Reddit, people have discussed this trend happening all over the world, with many lamenting how women’s bodies are sexualized in ways men’s never are.
Reactions from men
Nate, a pilates regular from Bondi, Sydney, told news.com.au that while he recognizes the double standard at play, he won’t hesitate to take his shirt off the moment he sees another man do the same.
“I saw a guy do it once, so I did it. Even some male instructors do it too, and no one seems to care, so I started doing it,” he said.
“It’s so hot in there, my shirt was usually completely soaked through by the end of class, so it’s much more comfortable to go shirtless.”
He admits it’s probably uncomfortable for women to wear tops but says he’s “not here to solve a wider gender issue in my pilates or yoga session.”
“I’m just taking advantage of what society allows us to do. Sadly for women, that’s different,” he added.
Meanwhile, online, some men say they try to be an ally to their female classmates by keeping their shirts on.
“Pilates is your safe space, and if I’m entering it, I’m doing everything I cannot to make you feel uncomfortable,” a man called Tom wrote.
“From having exes who haven’t felt comfortable going to a weights gym, I know pilates is your domain.”
So, do you think men going shirtless in a pilates class is a practical solution, or do you think it crosses a line? Tell us in the poll above.
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