Influencer Tries To Shame 200-Pound People Out Of Pilates, Says Goodbye To Her Career Instead

It’s no secret that being active can work wonders for our well-being. But instead of encouraging others to keep their bodies moving, some people feel the need to bring their spirits down.

One of such people recently went viral on TikTok for suggesting that people who weigh 200 pounds shouldn’t be in a pilates class. A different TikToker, known to her online audience as ‘Nosy Bystanders,’ took to the platform to condemn such comments, and most netizens seemed to be on the same page as her. Scroll down to find more information and the video criticizing the sizeist remarks below.

Sizeist comments can really discourage people from taking part in certain activities

Two women doing Pilates stretches on reformer machines in a bright studio focusing on fitness and Pilates practice.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual image)

This woman condemned a TikToker for saying that people who weigh 200 pounds shouldn’t do pilates

Text post criticizing woman calling out people 200 lbs and over from doing Pilates due to lack of recent practice.

Text on a plain background reading and the nerve to actually bring notes as to why individuals should not be taking Pilates classes.

Text on a white background discussing a person named Succulent A****t deleting videos and privating her page.

Screenshot of text discussing a woman saying people 200 lbs and over should not do Pilates classes.

Two women having a video conversation discussing people 200 lbs and over doing Pilates in a home setting.

Image credits: nosybystanders

Text image with a comment saying people 200 lbs and over shouldn't do Pilates, sparking controversy.

Text on white background stating concerns about allowing people over 200 lbs to do Pilates or become instructors.

Alt text: Text statement expressing controversy about people 200 lbs and over doing Pilates with bold language.

Woman wearing red sunglasses and white jacket with text overlay about Pilates and weight controversy on TikTok.

Image credits: nosybystanders

Text from a social media post calling out a woman for saying people over 200 lbs shouldn’t do Pilates, highlighting Pilates and weight discussion.

Screenshot of text discussing why individuals 200 lbs and over should not attend Pilates or level 2 Pilates classes.

Text excerpt about a woman’s controversial opinion that people 200 lbs and over should avoid Pilates classes.

Text stating Pilates focuses on strength training and core, addressing misconceptions about people 200 lbs and over doing Pilates.

Alt text: Person discussing Pilates classes, addressing misconceptions about weight and age in Pilates participation and abilities

Text excerpt discussing controversy over who belongs in Pilates classes, focusing on people 200 lbs and over.

Text about woman addressing people 200 lbs and over doing Pilates and feeling slowed down in a video.

Alt text: Woman called out for saying people 200 lbs and over shouldn’t do Pilates during a reform machine class discussion

Text excerpt about a Pilates instructor’s approach, relating to women 200 lbs and over doing Pilates.

Text on a white background explaining that the Pilates instructor aimed to prevent injury while helping a person.

Woman reacting in TikTok video addressing Pilates and people 200 lbs and over with braided hair and serious expression.

Image credits: nosybystanders

Text excerpt discussing an instructor’s decision on readiness for Pilates class for people 200 lbs and over.

Text showing someone explaining that a woman privated her Instagram, YouTube, and page after backlash about Pilates for people 200 lbs and over.

Text screenshot addressing controversy after woman said people 200 lbs and over shouldn’t do Pilates debate.

Image credits: nosybystanders

The ‘Nosy Bystanders’ video was viewed nearly 3M times

@nosybystanders#greenscreenvideo#greenscreen someone got on this #internet and said people of a certain weight shouldn’t attend #pilates classes. Essentially saying it slows down the rest of the class and that they should stick with the #gym. #pilatespolice#whosinvited#pilatescore♬ original sound – 💫NOSY💫

Pilates seems to have been gaining popularity in recent years

Those who have taken part in at least one pilates class know that it’s not “just an aesthetic.” (It’s not a walk in the park, either, so I applaud anyone who can go through an entire class without thinking of quitting once. I know I can’t.) It’s a system of exercise that can, as one study puts it, be both “gentle strength training for rehabilitation or a strenuous workout vigorous enough to challenge skilled athletes.” The exercises reportedly help increase muscle strength and endurance, enhance flexibility, and improve posture and balance.

Over the recent years, the activity seems to have been gaining traction. A 2025 survey of pilates instructors from around the world found that close to 80% of pilates studios are growing and nearly 70% of them are selling out classes. The demand is emphasized even more by the fact that close to 40% of studio owners say they need more instructors.

According to Statista, in 2024, close to 13 million people in the US alone took part in pilates classes, marking the highest annual total since 2010. Other data shared by Statista revealed that it’s an activity beloved by representatives of different age groups, which makes it safe to assume that it’s also enjoyed by people with different body types.

Looking at the comments under the video uploaded by ‘Nosy Bystanders,’ it’s clear that pilates is a form of exercise (or t*****e) that people of all shapes, sizes, and ages engage in. So it’s no surprise that many of them were appalled by the remarks suggesting that only people of a certain weight should be allowed to exercise with fellow pilates fans.

Image credits: Ahmed (not the actual image)

No one should feel bad about exercising, but thanks to weight stigma, many people do

The idea that only individuals of a certain weight can engage in certain activities unfortunately feeds into the already widespread weight stigma. It’s no secret that some people might not feel too comfortable exercising in public, and comments like the ones the TikToker made only makes the situation worse.

Research on social physique anxiety suggests that people with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) often tend to exercise less frequently than those with a lower BMI, and one of the likely reasons why there is weight stigma in the first place. Individuals who have a higher BMI reportedly often experience such stigma and weight-based prejudice in different forms, such as bullying or discrimination, just to name a couple. Unsurprisingly, such experiences have been shown to lead to reduced exercise levels and increased motivation to avoid exercising, as well as an array of other negative mental and physical health outcomes.

“Feeling like an outsider, feeling vulnerable, or feeling uncomfortable are all feelings that most people would prefer to avoid experiencing. Our research suggests that for someone who has a higher body weight, going to the gym can be a vulnerable, uncomfortable experience in which they worry that people will judge them as unworthy of being in the gym,” the research read in part. A study carried out in the UK found that close to a third of plus-size gym goers report feeling uncomfortable or unwelcome at their local gym.

No one should feel like they’re “unworthy” of being in the gym or taking part in any other kind of exercise. They should be applauded for finding the motivation to take care of their bodies and minds, which can be hard to do no matter the body type. That’s likely why many people joined the content creator ‘Nosy Bystanders’ in condemning the TikToker’s sizeist comments, and went straight into the comments section to share their thoughts.

Image credits: Joachim Schnürle (not the actual image)

People in the comments shared their two cents on the matter

Comment on social media discussing weight and Pilates, with username Melissa and a cat profile picture.

Comment from a user named i <3 solange stating they weigh 200+ pounds and do Pilates well, with 12,470 likes.

Comment by Nina stating Shonda Rhimes lost weight doing Pilates in a social media post with 174 likes.

Comment screenshot showing a user questioning why a woman is wearing a full beat to Pilates, related to Pilates for people over 200 lbs.

Commenter It's GiGi sharing an opinion on class dynamics related to weight and Pilates controversy online.

Comment stating there is no weight limit to Pilates and pregnant people can also do Pilates, shared on social media.

Comment supporting Pilates for people 200 lbs and over, sharing positive progress in core strength and mobility.

Comment mentioning Pilates membership loss and job in response to woman called out about people 200 lbs and over doing Pilates

Comment discussing how Pilates is perceived as exclusive and its impact on accessibility for heavier people over 200 lbs.

Comment on a social media post discussing a Pilates instructor’s controversial statement about people 200 lbs and over.

Comment by Sara about Pilates being created to rehabilitate injuries, highlighting Pilates suitability for every person.

Comment from a woman defending Pilates for overweight people, emphasizing its benefits for joints and low impact exercise.

Comment on social media calling out a woman’s opinion about people 200 lbs and over doing Pilates.

Commenter Jessica Long shares her love for Pilates and rejects exclusion based on weight or differences in a heartfelt response.

Woman called out for saying people 200 lbs and over should not do Pilates in a social media comment.

Comment stating Pilates was marketed as a luxury status symbol linked to toxic diet and skinny culture.

Comment on social media post saying It's an aesthetic for her, discussing people over 200 lbs and Pilates controversy.

Comment discussing Pilates, body diversity, and privilege in response to woman called out about people 200 lbs and over doing Pilates

Comment from woman expressing reluctance to do Pilates at 220 pounds due to fear of judgment from others online.

Comment from woman discussing weight and Pilates, debating if people over 200 lbs should do Pilates workouts.

Comment highlighting backlash against the claim that people 200 lbs and over should not do Pilates.

Comment criticizing people for targeting those over 200 lbs doing Pilates, highlighting gym weight loss hypocrisy.

Comment expressing anxiety about starting the gym due to fear of judgment related to weight and Pilates.

Comment from MeekTheKing stating Pilates and yoga are about movement and strength, addressing Pilates for people 200 lbs and over.

Comment on social media saying Mean girl energy, highlighting controversy around people 200 lbs and over doing Pilates.

Comment from woman responding about Pilates, addressing criticism of people 200 lbs and over doing Pilates.

Comment from user Tashmagosh discussing being shamed for doing Pilates and other workouts, addressing Pilates and body inclusivity.

Comment from Ymane discussing insecurity and confidence related to Pilates class for people over 200 lbs and body image issues.

Comment on social media criticizing a woman for her stance on people 200 lbs and over doing Pilates.

Comment on social media saying free speech is only free if people like and accept what you say, related to Pilates debate.

Comment on social media post supporting a controversial opinion about people over 200 lbs doing Pilates, with 11 likes.

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