If you're a Pinterest girlie, you probably might've noticed the slow rise of the pink Pilates princess lifestyle on the app as early as late 2022 (yes, it's been around that long already!). In late 2023, the term gained more traction and was blasted across TikTok. Finally, in 2024 Spotify Wrapped called those who frequently played the music of the main pop girls (think Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter) as pink Pilates princesses and the term slowly soared onto new heights even before 2025 rushed in.
But what is the pink Pilates princess?
Many believe the pink Pilates princess aesthetic draws inspiration from "balletcore." This was gracefully executed by soft girl final boss Hailey Bieber in her pink ensemble as she left a Pilates class at the time balletcore was having its moment in 2022. But apart from being heavily likened to balletcore and coquette style with its plays on strawberries and femininity, pink Pilates princess differs because it is not only an aesthetic, it's a mindset.
Pink Pilates princesses (sans the Spotify Wrapped definition) are the girlies who enjoy working out with Pilates and the whole concept and process of self-care. Pilates may not be the most affordable and accessible but they simply do not care! These girls do not mess around about their wellness and fitness and they do so decked out in the most beautiful shade of baby pink.
IMO, it is also empowering because it reclaims the notion that working out is only limited to doing more "manly" workouts in a gym as the whole mindset embraces hyper-femininity. It's giving Barbie the way it leaves you with the statement: you can be a fit girl and do it with softness.
The lifestyle might have even low-key influenced the way retail releases and consumer behavior have been owning divine feminine looks now more than ever. Recent examples would be Lululemon's viral Strawberry Milkshake Jacket and even more recently, Onitsuka Tiger and Patou's special collaboration. Both items I want very badly, might I add, as someone whose fave color is this specific shade of pink.
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The pink Pilates princesses would survive a (hypothetical) zombie apocalypse.
But don't let these Barbie-looking girly pops fool you. They might be making Pilates look all cute with their comfortable and so very pink athleisure because the workout is a KILLER! No, really. I tried a Reformer Pilates class myself and as someone who's not very active, that first class—despite being a beginner-friendly one—was already super hard to follow. The cute outfit and the rewarding feeling after the class made it so worth it, though! It was also such a girl's girl environment where even if we had different levels of knowledge about Pilates, it felt like such a safe space.
TikTok seems to echo the sentiment on the difficulty of this workout, which had users talk about how Pilates girlies would be the first ones who would most likely survive a (completely hypothetical) zombie apocalypse. And you know what, I completely agree.
@revivestudio.pilates Lesson learned: Stick with a Pilates girl during a zombie apocalypse—they’ve got the core, strength, balance, and endurance to fend for themselves! ???????? #pilates #reformerpilates #fitness #matpilates #flexibility #pampanga #angelescity ? Bed Chem - Sabrina Carpenter
Still don't believe that Pilates girls might probably win the Hunger Games? Men who tried Pilates beg to differ. The workout is so intense, it has even gym bros shaking after.
@miamipilates Men doing Pilates part 1 ???? ???? #pilates #pilatesworkout #pilatesbody #pilatesreformer #mendoingpilates #gymbro #gymboys #pilatesguy #pilatesprincess #pilatesshakes @Cole @Gabriel Pedraza Miranda @Teddy Tassy @Brian Joseph ? original sound - Miami Pilates
The reason why Pilates has this "military-training" effect and difficulty is because the exercise (when done correctly) is meant to target smaller and harder-to-target muscles, according to an article by Stylist. So, yes. If you thought this would be a more relaxed workout, it's really not. But is it worth it? Absolutely! Even K-pop idols like BLACKPINK's Jennie who do this workout can vouch for this.
If you were looking for a sign to enter your pink Pilates princess era, look at this extra sparkly one and try it for yourself now, too!
