Nude exercises. Nude Pilates. Nude Yoga. Drop your inhibitions at the door. Exercising in the buff is becoming a trend!

With who?

While researching this article, I’m fascinated, no…shocked, at how many forums there are for nude exercises. Now, I’m no prude. I’m merely curious.

Here are a few descriptions I’ve read on the forums of people describing their au-natural workouts. Uninhibited. Ok…obviously. Freeing. That comes up a lot. Productive. Productive? Let’s explore that one.

When exercising in your birthday suit, there is nothing to hide. When doing Pilates nude exercises, this means even more. Pilates is a detail oriented exercise method with great attention paid to your form. How better to see your form than to do naked Pilates! You can’t possibly cheat. Your belly will be in. Your shoulders will be down. Your bottom is going to be engaged. Yes, your workout will be more productive.

Does this mean your local Pilates studio is going to start offering nude Pilates classes? Probably not. My Pilates studio won’t mainly because no one would come. I live in New England. We cover up most everything around here.

I think most people are practicing their nude workouts in the privacy of their own home or at a nudist camp. Is it safe to exercise naked? I have to believe that most exercising can be done nude, however, watch out for those high impact exercises. Breasts and testicles need a little extra support, thank you.

What about the cleanliness factor of exercising naked? What boil producing germs are going to be getting into places where they shouldn’t be? Even the cleanest Pilates equipment may carry a certain amount of germs. This thought definitely has a kind of yuck factor.

Ok…let’s spin this subject a bit. What is the naked truth about Pilates? What are some myths?

Myth: Pilates is just for women.

Naked Truth: No way! Joseph Pilates was a man. Men need strength training, flexibility and balance too.

Myth: Pilates is like Yoga.

Naked Truth: No way! Yoga is Yoga. Pilates is Pilates. There is some cross-referencing. Breathing, stretching and focus are part of both modalities, but the similarities stop there.

Myth: Pilates is too hard to master.

Naked Truth: No way! You have to start somewhere and beginners benefit from Pilates as much as seasoned professionals. Start with the basics even if you are fit. Remember: You must build a strong foundation before you build a house!

Whether nude exercises are your thing or not, give Pilates a try. With or without your clothes on, Pilates is a great choice.

Susannah Marchese is a certified Pilates fitness instructor and a senior contributing writer to