About this episode

This episode explores the racial and cultural history of Pilates and its implications for inclusivity in fitness.

This is a re-run of Sportly's April 2025 episode: "Pilates Wasn't Always White - Here's What Changed " Pilates may be marketed as a path to wellness and elegance, but who is it really for? In this episode of Sportly, host Kavitha Davidson explores the complicated racial and cultural history of Pilates, from its roots in an internment camp to its modern-day status as the go-to fitness trend for affluent white women. Kavitha traces the hidden contributions of Black pioneers like Kathy Grant and the rise of inclusive movements like Black Girl Pilates. What does it mean when an exercise promising strength and balance becomes a symbol of exclusion? And how can we reclaim it for everyone? Host: Kavitha A. Davison | Producer: Paroma Chakravarty I Executive Producer: Saadia Khan | Fact Checking and Research: Paroma Chakravarty I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Sportly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover Art Graphic Designer: Sarah DiMichele Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify to help more people find us! You can reach the host, Kavitha, at…

People in this episode

Host: Kavitha Davidson

Topics covered

• Pilates
• racial history
• cultural history
• inclusivity
• fitness trends
• wellness

Keywords

• Pilates
• wellness
• racial history
• Black pioneers
• fitness trends
• inclusivity
• cultural history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sportly, Immigrantly Media, Black Girl Pilates, Epidemic Sound

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