If you’re someone who tends to avoid low-impact exercises like yoga and pilates because you suspect you’ll get bored, then you’ve got a thing or two to learn from Gen Z.

The last couple of years have seen an explosion in low-impact offerings both in dedicated studios (like Strong Pilates in Islington) and digital spaces (like the ever-expanding mobility offerings of apps like pliability, which recently shifted its focus from CrossFit athletes to a more general appeal).

The growth in pilates in particular has been a sign of this shift, with Google searches for the workout increasing over 124% in the last year. Nowadays, there are new forms popping up everywhere, with everything from wall pilates to hot pilates providing new opportunities for fans of the strength and mobility-focused workout form to move in a way they enjoy.

And while some of the new forms of pilates are a little more intense than the traditional approach, the core focus remains on small, repetitive movements that strengthen and tone.

From a love of low-impact exercise to a focus on mental health: why Gen Z’s approach to fitness is something we can all learn from