Nearly 3,000 turn out to set Pilates class record

A bid to host the world's largest ever Pilates class on the island where the exercise was developed drew thousands of people.

Organisers in Knockaloe on the Isle of Man set out to beat the Guinness World Record for the largest Pilates class ever, which was last set at 3,486 in Turkey.

While the mass class fell short with 2,804 participants, it did manage to clinch a different record.

The group achieved the highest number of people performing the "standing roll down exercise".

Participants ranged from first‑timers to seasoned instructors. Some said they were drawn by the chance to be part of history at the site where Joseph Pilates developed the exercise method while interned during the First World War.

Pilates instructor Karen Gilbert travelled to the island specifically for the event.

She said: "We visited the island about six or seven weeks ago… so I thought I just had to come.

"I did know about the link to the island… it's like a pilgrimage if you like."

She said the record attempt was a powerful way to promote movement and wellbeing.

"Anything that promotes movement and exercise is just fantastic," she said.

Organiser Joanna Crookall described the atmosphere as "absolutely phenomenal", shining a light on the exercise's history.

She added: "Pilates is such a huge global movement now, but not a lot of people know that Pilates was developed here."

For instructor Hannah Storey, who helped shape the session being taught, the scale of the event was unlike anything she had experienced before.

Travelling from London to lead the class, she said: "In the studio we maybe have a maximum of six people. I've done a class of 130 before, so now over 3,000 is quite a jump."

"World record or not, it's still such a huge event and will be iconic for years to come," she added.

Storey said the day felt "huge", not just because of the numbers, but because Pilates was returning to the place where its founder refined the practice.

Many attendees admitted they had little idea of the island's connection to Pilates before hearing about the event.

Dylan Pycroft, doing Pilates for the first time, said: "I didn't even know it was based on an island."

Sarah Langstaff added that she had "no clue" about the history until recently, and learning of a plaque at Knockaloe.

Broadcaster Noel Edmonds, who lives in the north of the island, said he was delighted to be involved, adding: "I love the island… it's got a fabulous community feel."

"I've never done Pilates, but I didn't realise it originated from here."

Actor John Rhys‑Davies also attended, sharing vivid stories about Joseph Pilates' time at Knockaloe.

He talked to crowds about the island's potential of being a Pilates centre of wellbeing, honouring its history.

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