Pilates 101 #42 | Is Pilates Resistance Training? The Debate Has Changed
Is Pilates resistance training? The latest American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidance has reignited the conversation around what counts as resistance training, highlighting that effective resistance training doesn't necessarily require traditional gym equipment. In this episode of Pilates 101, Dawn and Kristina are joined by top athlete and coach James Thie to explore where Pilates fits within the wider conversation around strength and resistance training. James finished fourth at the World Indoor Championships, represented Wales at two Commonwealth Games and went on to become a multiple World Masters champion. As a coach, he has taken athletes to GB international level and was named British Milers Club Coach of the Year. He also found himself holding the shoes worn to break the two-hour marathon world record at the London Marathon this year. Together, they explore what Pilates can offer athletes, why movement quality matters, and how Pilates can complement traditional resistance training. The conversation covers progressive overload, strength and conditioning, athletic performance, longevity and the importance of finding sustainable ways to build and maintain strength. You'll discover: • How Pilates can provide meaningful resistance training and complement other forms of strength training • What the latest ACSM guidance tells us about effective resistance training • Why movement quality matters for athletes and active people • How progressive overload can be applied within Pilates and broader training programmes • The role of strength and conditioning in supporting performance, longevity and injury prevention • Where Pilates fits within a well-rounded approach to fitness and athletic training Whether you're a Pilates teacher, fitness professional, athlete or simply interested in staying strong and active as you age, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the evolving relationship between Pilates, resistance training and performance. Read the full ACSM guidance: ACSM 2026 Resistance Training Guideline