The Pilates Class Founder Jacqui Kingswell Reveals the Biggest Myths About the Celebrity-Favorite Workout
Jacqui Kingswell, founder of The Pilates Class and trainer to celebrities including Nina Dobrev, Sydney Sweeney, Emma Roberts, Miranda Kerr, Kaia Gerber and Olivia Culpo, says Pilates is far more demanding than many people think. Speaking with ET ahead of her return to Los Angeles this June for the second stop of her TPC world tour, Kingswell explained that Pilates is often misunderstood as an easy workout or simply a form of stretching. In reality, she says, the method requires strength, control and intense concentration when performed correctly.
Kingswell’s approach focuses on slowing down and building a stronger connection with the body rather than driving it to exhaustion. She emphasizes intentional movement and says proper Pilates is rooted in form, precision and awareness. For her, the goal is not just to make exercises look graceful, but to make them feel effective. The burn associated with Pilates, she notes, comes from doing movements carefully and with control, not from rushing through repetitions.
The former professional dancer also describes Pilates as both physical and mental. She says movement should be enjoyable and mindful, not treated as something to endure. Her philosophy centers on helping people understand their bodies more deeply and experience each movement fully. That mindset shapes the structure of her full-body routines, which aim to create balance rather than isolate one area. Core work remains central, since she believes the core supports the rest of the body through deep stabilizing muscles. From there, her workouts incorporate glutes, inner thighs, posture and back-body strength.
Kingswell also wants beginners to feel welcome. She says Pilates is for everyone and is one of the most adaptable and empowering forms of exercise. Whether someone is new to mat work or using Pilates equipment, she believes the practice can be tailored to different bodies, fitness levels and goals. Beyond physical benefits like stronger muscles and better posture, she says Pilates can also improve mental well-being by helping people feel more connected, supported and aligned.
For Kingswell, consistency matters more than punishment-based fitness. She describes her method as holistic, focusing on feeling good in the body while still achieving visible results without overexertion. In her view, a healthy lifestyle should leave people feeling present, balanced and mentally connected, not drained.
Outside the studio, Kingswell applies the same principles to daily life. She says she tries to create balance by giving herself one digital detox day each week and being deliberate about putting her phone away during family meals. She also avoids rigid rules around food and exercise, preferring flexibility and enjoyment. If she wants something, she eats it; if she does not feel like working out, she does not force it. Her philosophy is simple: health should support a life that feels good, sustainable and enjoyable.
