shirtless men pilates debate : Women are growing increasingly frustrated with the sight of shirtless, sweaty men in their Pilates classes, calling attention to the glaring “double standard” at play.
Georgia, the owner of a Melbourne Pilates franchise, CorePlus Collingwood and Fitzroy North, didn’t anticipate stirring such a heated discussion when she posted a casual TikTok after a long day at her studio.
“We received a review from a member, and I’d love to know your thoughts on it,” she began in the video, which has now amassed over 27,000 views.
The review stated 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 too.”
“This particular review was clearly triggered by a male member working out topless, and it was submitted by a female member. I find it really interesting because I totally get where she’s coming from,” Georgia explained.
She further clarified that, in contrast to some local studios enforcing a strict “shirts-on” policy, her studio prioritizes individual comfort.
“We’ve put a lot of effort into building a culture where people feel comfortable and confident to wear what they want — within reason. Nobody’s showing up in their birthday suit, and nobody’s scrutinizing others. Everyone’s just focused on their own practice,” she said.
Studio owner speaks out
Speaking with news.com.au, Georgia admitted that the member’s complaint took her by surprise.
“It’s not something we’ve encountered before,” she revealed. “While there have been occasions where men have gone topless in the studio, this is the first time we’ve received a formal member review about it. Perhaps other studios implementing a ‘shirts-on-for-men’ policy more recently has made the issue more prominent, and now it’s being viewed less favorably.”
When asked about what guides her decisions on appropriate attire, Georgia emphasized that mutual respect among members is key.
“We’ve only had a handful of situations where inappropriate clothing was worn, and in those cases, we politely asked the individuals to put on additional clothing out of consideration for others,” she explained.
“It’s never been a source of conflict here, as everyone is genuinely thoughtful and respectful of one another.”
The ‘heated’ pilates debate
In the comments, some people argued that the same rules should apply to everyone.
“Even if women wear tiny crop tops, it’s still a top! Everything is covered. Men should be wearing shirts too,” one person commented.
Others expressed surprise that some men went shirtless during Pilates classes, saying it made them feel “uncomfortable.”
“Wait, what? That’s kind of strange,” one commenter said. “The nerve of some men.
I didn’t pay $30 for a hot Pilates class to see a sweaty guy without a shirt!” another added. “It’s a business, not a beach.
Some described it as “unnecessary,” while many raised hygiene concerns, especially given the amount of sweat and body odor generated during these intense sessions.
On the other hand, plenty of people said it wasn’t a problem for them.
I honestly couldn’t care less,” one person wrote. “I’m there to do my own workout. I don’t care what others are wearing. Everyone should just focus on their own session.
Why should this member care what others wear? People should wear whatever they feel comfortable in while training, and everyone else should mind their own business without passing judgment,” another added.
A growing movement
To better understand the issue, it’s important to know that hot Pilates classes are typically held in rooms heated to between 34 and 38 degrees Celsius.
These sessions, usually performed on individual mats, combine functional strength exercises with low-impact cardio. The heat is said to boost circulation, improve joint mobility, and help participants achieve deeper stretches.
But it also makes choosing what to wear a practical concern.
Simply put, there’s a lot of sweating involved.
For years, Pilates carried the stereotype of being a women’s workout, sometimes seen as a couples’ activity where men would tag along. However, Georgia noted that this perception is changing, with more men now joining classes “of their own accord.”
As a result, seeing shirtless men in Pilates sessions is becoming increasingly common—not just in Melbourne.
Across platforms like TikTok and Reddit, people around the world are discussing this trend, with many criticizing how women’s bodies are sexualized in ways men’s bodies rarely are.
Reactions from men
Nate, a regular Pilates attendee from Bondi, Sydney, told news.com.au that while he’s aware of the double standard, he doesn’t hesitate to take his shirt off as soon as he sees another man do it.
“I saw a guy do it once, so I followed suit. Even some male instructors do it, and no one seems to mind, so I just started doing it too,” he explained.
“With how hot it gets in there, my shirt would be completely drenched by the end of class, so it’s far more comfortable to go shirtless.”
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He acknowledged that it might be uncomfortable for women to see men without shirts, but emphasized that he’s “not here to fix broader gender issues during my Pilates or yoga sessions.”
“I’m simply taking advantage of what society permits us to do. Unfortunately for women, it’s a different story,” he added.
Meanwhile, some men online say they make a conscious effort to support their female classmates by keeping their shirts on.
“Pilates is your safe space, and if I’m in it, I’m doing everything I can not to make you uncomfortable,” a man named Tom wrote.
So, do you think men going shirtless in a Pilates class is a practical choice or does it cross a line? Share your opinion in the poll above.
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