Have you ever wondered why we don’t we wear shoes during Pilates?

Q. Why don’t we wear shoes during Pilates?

In Pilates, there are technical and scientific reasons why you shouldn’t wear shoes. The most important of which is deeply rooted in the foundation of Pilates – we are doing very precise movements that deal directly with the alignment and articulation of the joints. When you wear shoes, you limit the degree of articulation while also limiting your precision of motion and alignment. There are 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, ligaments, and muscles that make up the foot. Simply put, wearing shoes limits you practice.

Studies have found that barefoot activities like Pilates can improve balance and posture as well as prevent many common injuries like tendonitis in the Achilles or shin splints. The studies also found that shoes can sometimes lead to compensations.

Shoes don’t belong in the Pilates studio, unless they are by the door waiting for you to finish class.