Pilates is everywhere these days, from Bollywood sets to gyms in every city. To understand why it’s so popular with celebrities, a media outlet spoke to Namrata Purohit (a celebrity Pilates trainer and partner at The Pilates Studio). She has trained stars like Janhvi Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, Ananya Panday and Khushi Kapoor.
In a chat with HT, Namrata shared tips for beginners, insights into celebrity routines and how Pilates helps with overall health.
What Is Pilates?
Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates for men during wartime and later adapted for dancers. Namrata explains, “It’s a form of exercise that will get you strong like a warrior but also build the lean, long and flexible muscles of a dancer.”
She adds, “I often describe it as a workout where you strengthen from the inside out – it targets your core but also works every muscle group in a controlled way. The beauty is that it’s suitable for everyone, whether you’re an athlete, recovering from injury or just starting your fitness journey.”
Why Celebrities Love Pilates
Celebrities have busy, demanding lives and need workouts that keep them strong, lean and injury-free while helping manage stress. Namrata says, “Pilates does exactly that. It strengthens without straining the joints, helps maintain a toned physique, and improves energy levels. For many of my clients, it’s not just about looking good but also about feeling balanced and centred, which is why they keep coming back to it.”
Stars like Kareena Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor have added Pilates to their daily routines. Namrata shares, “One thing people may not realise is that there’s no magic; it really comes down to consistency and balance. Celebrities are disciplined about showing up for their workouts, but they also know when to rest and recover. Many of them keep their routines quite simple – quality training, good nutrition, and enough sleep, nothing extreme or unsustainable.”
On Celebrity Transformation Secret
Namrata praises actress Sara Ali Khan’s dedication. “Sara is one of the most focused people I know; she works really hard and is extremely dedicated to her fitness routine. Janhvi is extremely consistent, Ishaan works very hard, Ananya has really started enjoying working out, and Sara never misses a session, even with her packed schedule.”
She points out that fitness is not just about looks. It’s about discipline, mindset and staying committed to health.
