Why “Pilates Arms” are trending in the U.S. And, most importantly, what politics and the conservative movement have to do with it

Recently, the New York Times published a video, by American journalist Calum Marsh exploring the possible connection between current trends in women's fitness and the current political climate. The issue arose after a reel by personal trainer and content creator MaryBeth Monaco-Vavrik – who is 24 years old and lives in Washington – went viral, sparking much debate. The post suggested that social constructs related to the female body were somehow influenced by the political context: in historical moments marked by the rise of the conservative movement, such as the 1950s, Monaco-Vavrik says, the less muscular female figure was favored – more or less indirectly – while during the 1970s, thanks in part to feminist movements, a more robust body model gained prominence. According to Monaco-Vavrik, the strong conservative push that brought Trump to power contributed – again indirectly – to making slimmer bodies more popular in people's imagination. For this reason, in reference to the current political climate, Monaco-Vavrik was not surprised that the so-called “Pilates arms” – a very specific aesthetic ideal: slim, elongated, and toned arms, but not visibly muscular – were coming back into fashion in women's fitness.

More generally, many observers have long noted a decrease in interest in body positivity. The issue has become even more evident since the spread of Ozempic – the antidiabetic drug that, among other things, causes significant weight loss. The use of this product is becoming socially accepted even among people who do not suffer from diabetes, despite potential risks – the phenomenon is so debated that in 2023 New York Magazine dedicated a cover story to it. The trend today, which sees the resurgence of slimness, closely resembles that of the 1990s, when the so-called “heroin chic” aesthetic was promoted. In the past, however, these ideals triggered a strong reaction, especially within the fashion industry – even though the same industry had partly helped make it cool. In this context, by contrast, body positivity and inclusivity had enjoyed great popularity. The fashion design sector thus became a proponent of nobler principles, believing it was necessary to provide a more realistic representation of consumers, as well as to promote less rigid aesthetic standards. Despite evident efforts by many brands in recent years, today we are witnessing something of a backlash. In particular, with the return of early 2000s aesthetics, the demand for “traditional” models, along with the physical references of that period, has increased.

In light of these trends, Monaco-Vavrik also points out that physical activity – such as doing Pilates – does not necessarily lead to weight loss. As with many aspects concerning health, the issue is more complex. It is true that moving more burns more energy, but if one has an unbalanced diet, exercise alone may not be sufficient to stay in shape or lose weight. Essentially, it is important to maintain a proper balance between what you eat, how much you eat, and how much you expend. Factors that are still relatively poorly understood and often highly individual, such as metabolism or sleep, also affect fitness. Moreover, benefits can be gained from simple daily activities, such as choosing to walk instead of using public transport or a car; however, if physical activity is reduced or completely stopped, the initial benefits are quickly lost.