When Sydney estate lawyer Oliver Morrisey realised his job was starting to take both a physical and emotional toll, he knew he had to change up his fitness regimen.
‘Years of courtrooms and being bent over a desk had pulled my shoulders down and smushed my back together,’ Oliver says.
Electrician Daniel Vasilevski has a similar story.
‘For years, my work had me constantly hunched over, working in cramped spaces and bending into awkward positions,’ says Daniel.
After a decade of poor posture, the pain began to impact his focus at work.
‘My team noticed me adjusting my posture constantly,’ he explains.
‘That’s when I started looking for a solution beyond typical stretches.’
Both Oliver and Daniel – professionals from very different worlds – decided to try a form of exercise most men wouldn’t even consider.
Sydney electrician Daniel Vasilevski (pictured) was astounded by the benefits
Lawyer Oliver (pictured) says Pilates has improved his posture and eliminated neck pain
After being recommended Pilates, Oliver committed to two months of twice-weekly classes. The difference was profound.
‘My balance improved so much that my colleagues wondered whether I had grown in height,’ he says of the noticeable results.
This is a common observation among men who report feeling and looking taller after several months of Pilates, a low-impact, core-focused exercise method that began in the early 20th century as a form of rehabilitation for injured dancers and soldiers.
Do they grow in height? The jury’s out on that, but the dramatic improvement in posture is known to add an inch or more. For men on the shorter side, it can be transformative.
‘I hadn’t [grown] – it was only my body getting in place,’ notes Oliver.
‘But a single change led to another and now I breathe more deeply at trial, remain composed when the going gets rough, and I don’t get a neckache after 10-hour file reviews.’
As for sparky Daniel, he saw incredible results after deciding to give Pilates a try.
‘It didn’t just alleviate my physical pain, but my stamina for 12-hour workdays also improved,’ he reveals.
A growing number of men are incorporating Pilates into their fitness routines. Many report looking taller as a result of their improved posture (stock images)
‘I could stand taller for longer periods during site inspections.’
Richard Chew, founder of Sydney’s Elixr Health Club, says that for many years, Pilates was viewed as a low-intensity workout primarily for women – but that image is changing fast, and not just for athletes wanting to add a core component to their routine.
‘More men are now discovering that Pilates offers a powerful way to build strength, improve joint mobility, and support long-term joint and back health,’ he explains.
‘One of the most significant benefits men can gain from Pilates is a stronger, more stable core. This is key not just for athletic performance, but also for reducing the risk of back pain and other injuries.
‘A well-conditioned core supports the spine and improves how the body moves, whether you are playing sport or simply lifting a box at home.’
Earlier this month, Pinterest released its first-ever Men’s Trend Report, and the upswing in interest in Pilates was significant.
Searches for ‘Pilates outfit’ were up 300 per cent, and ‘Pilates reformer’ rose 130 per cent. Meanwhile, the hashtag #mendopilatestoo has 1.2 billion views on TikTok.
‘A lot of people report that improved posture from Pilates makes them feel and even appear taller,’ says Bondi gym owner Richard Chew (pictured)
The Wall Street Journal reported in 2023 that the number of men who do Pilates had jumped from 15 per cent (in 2010) to 25 per cent.
It’s an increase Richard has seen in his Bondi gym as well.
‘Thanks in part to high-profile athletes who use Pilates as part of their training, more men are now giving it a go,’ he says.
‘At Elixr, men now make up about 25 per cent of participants, a big shift from earlier years when Pilates enthusiasts were almost exclusively women.’
And what about the reported benefits in height?
‘A lot of people report that improved posture from Pilates makes them feel and even appear taller,’ Richard agrees.
‘There is science behind this. Pilates strengthens the postural muscles, which support the spine and help the body align more naturally. When posture improves, the spine decompresses, and the body is no longer slouched or compressed.’
‘Good posture isn’t about forcing your shoulders back,’ he adds. ‘That can actually create tension and lead to discomfort.
‘True posture improvement comes from balanced muscle activation, body awareness and consistency. How you move throughout your entire day matters more than a single workout.’
A 2024 study investigated the impact of the ‘Pilates stance’ on various measurements.
It found that activating core muscles in the Pilates stance ‘increased’ height by up to 2.7cm – just over an inch – as well as decreasing waist circumference.
And while it’s crucial to note that this change in height is due to postural improvements and not actual growth, it’s a bonus many men are happy with.
‘Perhaps the biggest thing more men should understand about Pilates is that it is not just low-intensity exercises or gentle rehab,’ says Richard.
‘It is a system based on precision, strength and control. It can be tailored to suit elite athletes or complete beginners, and its benefits go far beyond the studio.
‘Pilates may start with strengthening the core, but for many, it ends up reshaping the way they move and the way they feel in everyday life.’
