14/07/2026
Socks vs no socks - a big debate in the Pilates world 🧦
Classically we don’t wear socks in Pilates, but with the rise of group Reformer / Tower classes, sticky socks have become the norm.
I’ve a few thoughts of this debate…
🤍 With modern reformers, feet go into fabric straps, which are often not cleaned / washed (for group studios) Classically they are in leather, which are easier to clean.
💚 People who come barefoot often arrive in flip flops, crocks or Birkenstocks. They have walked around the street getting dusty bottoms of feet or been in them all day and gotten sweaty. Dirty feet. Which are not washed before placing them on equipment.
🤍 Fungi, verrucas, etc are found more on the feet than on hands and easily transferred. And with it being warmer people might be at the pool, not wearing sliders - we know how gross communale showers are, there’s a reason people wear sliders here.
💚 People wash their hands way more than their feet.
🤍 Some people don’t even wash their feet in the shower.
💚 Coming to a session after work is normal. Where your feet have sweated in your shoes and or socks all day. They are smelly.
🤍 I’ve held too many fabric handles that smell of cheesy feet.
💚 Safety-wise, equipment can be slippery especially if you’re sweaty. In 1:1 studios and more classical studios, you might find more grippy mats. Not all studios have enough for two per person needed for some exercises. But again some of these might not be cleaned regularly.
🤍 If you’re teaching Pilates properly, you will have to touch people’s feet. I shouldn’t have to touch dirty, smelly feet.
Now, I’m not asking for baby soft feet with a new pedicure. Just freshly cleaned feet if going barefoot in my studio, or wear fresh grips socks if you know your foot health is not up to scratch. Luckily I regularly disinfect everything (after every use) and wash my fabric feet straps. I can’t say the same for all studios.
So please, I beg you, WASH YOUR DAMN FEET.
