Is the “Pilates Princess” Era Over? Hailey Bieber Just Dropped the Ultimate Wellness Hot Take
May 21, 2026
Hey muses! Grab your lattes, because the ultimate internet trendsetter has dropped a massive bomb on our morning wellness routines. If your social media feed looks anything like ours, it is probably flooded with aesthetic reformer Pilates videos, pastel grip socks, and seamless activewear sets. For the past few years, the internet completely succumbed to the “Pilates Princess” lifestyle. But what happens when the literal blueprint of that aesthetic says the trend is officially past its time?
Yes, you read that correctly. In a brand-new media appearance that has pop culture enthusiasts completely shook, our favorite Rhode beauty mogul, Hailey Bieber, revealed that she thinks Pilates might just be sliding into the “overrated” category. Let’s dive deep into exactly what Hailey Bieber said and what this means for our daily wellness mood boards.
The Cover Story That Started It All
The internet-breaking moment happened when Hailey Bieber graced the cover of TIME for their 100 Most Influential Companies issue. While celebrating her brand, Rhode, the style icon sat down for a rapid-fire video segment to play a game of “Overrated or Underrated” with today’s biggest lifestyle trends.
When the word “Pilates” flashed across the screen, fans worldwide braced themselves for an enthusiastic declaration of love. After all, Hailey Bieber’s paparazzi photos heading to and from high-end fitness studios are legendary. Instead, she took a beat, smiled, and delivered an unexpected reality check.
“I think it’s a little over,” Hailey Bieber confessed, before quickly laughing and asking the interviewer, “Is that crazy for me to say? I love Pilates. I really do. But I think it’s become a little bit of a fad, and it’s really hard to find really good teachers that care about form.”
Why Hailey Bieber Thinks Pilates Has Become a Viral “Fad”
Let’s unpack this, because Hailey Bieber isn’t just hating on a workout for no reason. She is a trained former ballerina, meaning she knows a lot about physical discipline, body alignment, and proper athletic form. For years, she has been a regular at exclusive L.A. wellness hotspots like Forma Pilates, hitting the reformer machines alongside close friends like Kendall Jenner.
The issue she’s highlighting isn’t the exercise itself, but rather the cultural commercialization surrounding it. Because Pilates became a hyper-viral aesthetic on TikTok, studios have opened up at a rapid pace globally. Everyone wanted the lifestyle. However, according to Hailey Bieber, this massive boom has diluted the actual quality of instruction.
When a wellness practice transforms into a quick social media trend, the core essence can get lost. It becomes more about curation—the perfect studio lighting, cute grip socks, and the post-class smoothie—and less about the precision, control, and breathwork that defined original Pilates. If your instructor is more focused on crafting a playlist than checking whether your core is properly engaged, the true benefits disappear.
The Full Wellness Report Card: What Else is In and Out?
The Pilates hot take wasn’t the only tea Hailey Bieber spilled during her TIME interview. If we are going to audit our lifestyles based on the Rhode founder’s current mindset, we need to look at her complete wellness report card. She walked through several viral modern phenomena, giving us a rare glimpse into her daily routine as a busy mom and businesswoman.
- Matcha Lattes: Overrated. This one hurt a little! Hailey Bieber admitted that while she enjoys a good drink, standard café matchas are overhyped. Her reason? “Japan is like my favorite place in the world. And when you drink a matcha from Japan, it spoils everything for you.” Fair enough, Hailey. We guess we’ll stick to our classic cold brews for now!
- Lifting Heavy Weights: Underrated. This is where the true vibe shift lies. Hailey Bieber strongly advocates for weight training, completely smashing the outdated myth that women shouldn’t lift heavy. “Sometimes there’s a perception that wanting to be like skinny or like fit means you don’t lift weights, which I think is a complete myth, and it’s the complete opposite. I love like building a booty in the gym. So, for that, you have to lift weights.”
- Lymphatic Drainage Massages: Underrated. “I swear by them, live by them, like obsessed,” she shared. She noted how incredible the human body is at holding onto water weight and credited these specialized treatments for keeping her feeling snatched and detoxed.
The Fashion Aftermath: What Happens to Our Gym Closets?
Now, if you are a dedicated Dmuse reader, your immediate question is probably: What do I wear to the gym if Pilates is out? If Hailey Bieber is transitioning her focus toward weight rooms and strength training, how does that change the quintessential activewear uniform?
Don’t panic—your matching sets are still perfectly safe. In true trendsetter fashion, Hailey Bieber has already been demonstrating how to evolve gym wear. Lately, she has been spotted ditching traditional full-length leggings in favor of sleek, micro bike shorts paired with structural sports bras.
To keep the look balanced and street-ready, she layers a relaxed boatneck long-sleeve tee or a lightweight cropped cardigan over the top. It’s functional enough for a heavy lifting session but styled well enough for a casual lunch in Beverly Hills.
The Dmuse Verdict: Time for a Wellness Vibe Shift
At Dmuse Magz, we know that when Hailey Bieber speaks, the beauty and lifestyle worlds pivot. Her commentary signals a broader cultural transition. We are moving away from the hyper-curated, fragile “clean girl” fitness tropes and stepping into an era that values raw strength, functional movement, and authentic expertise. It’s no longer just about looking pretty on a reformer machine; it’s about feeling powerful in your own skin.
Are you ready to swap your grip socks for lifting straps, or are you a Pilates Princess for life? Either way, we’re keeping our eyes on Hailey for whatever trend she decides to master next!
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