For decades, I’ve worked with athletes at every level—high school, collegiate, professional, and dedicated weekend warriors. Yet my own Pilates journey didn’t begin until I was 34. Like so many people, I often think: what if I had found it sooner? As a former gymnast, I know firsthand how much Pilates could have improved my integrated strength, back health, and posture.
Today, as a Balanced Body Educator and creator of the 15 to Fit Method™, I’ve seen how transformative Pilates can be—especially for athletes with one unique challenge: exceptional height.
The Hidden Challenges of Being Tall
When my son was 14, he was already 6’3″. Even with a studio full of Balanced Body Allegro 2 Reformer machines, I could tell they wouldn’t accommodate his growing frame for long. I invested in a Balanced Body Allegro Stretch Reformer—and it quickly became essential. He eventually grew to 6’6″, and I began training many of his equally tall teammates.
Here’s the reality: the world isn’t built for very tall bodies. From desks to cars to gym equipment, tall individuals are constantly adapting—and often compromising posture to do so. In today’s tech-driven environment, maintaining good alignment is already difficult. For someone 6’4″ or taller, it’s even more challenging.
Why Pilates Is a Game-Changer for Tall Bodies
Pilates improves posture for almost everyone—but for taller athletes, the benefits are amplified.
Longer limbs create longer lever arms, which means more torque and greater muscular demand. I often describe it as Simone Biles vs. LeBron James—both elite athletes, but their biomechanics create completely different challenges.
For tall athletes, Pilates:
- Builds deep core strength to support long spines
- Improves alignment and postural awareness
- Enhances joint stability (especially in ankles, knees, and hips)
- Develops control through a full range of motion
- Trains underutilized muscles that traditional strength training often misses
Training 6’10” Division I Basketball Players
Recently, I had the opportunity to train two Division I basketball players—Spencer Elliott and Nick Richart—both standing at 6’10”. To put that into perspective, only about 1 in 100,000 men reach that height. Additionally, their wingspan is 6’11” and they can reach up to about 9 feet 4 inches. I’m calling them to change the lightbulbs.
Despite their elite conditioning, Pilates challenged them in entirely new ways.
After his very first session, Spencer said:
“That was harder than the weight workouts we do.
And that makes sense. Pilates doesn’t just build strength—it exposes imbalances and activates muscles that often go unnoticed in traditional training.
What They Noticed Right Away
1. Mental Focus & Control
Spencer was struck by how much concentration Pilates requires. Every movement demands precision, control, and awareness—qualities that translate directly to performance on the court.
2. Foot & Ankle Strength
Basketball players notoriously struggle with foot and ankle stability. Spencer immediately connected Pilates footwork to improved strength and resilience in these areas—something far beyond just rolling out feet with a lacrosse ball.
3. Balance & Stability
Referencing players like Stephen Curry, known for exceptional balance, Nick recognized how working on a moving carriage builds stability in dynamic conditions—just like in a game.
4. A New Kind of Training
Pilates offered something different: a workout that is both low-impact and intensely challenging. It complemented—not replaced—their existing training.
When asked what he’d tell other basketball players about Pilates, Spencer joked:
“You shouldn’t do it. I’ll keep doing it and I’m going to be better than you.”
That competitive mindset? It never goes away.
The Importance of the Right Equipment
While Pilates can be adapted for many bodies, equipment matters—especially for taller clients.
At our studio, we use six Balanced Body Allegro Stretch Reformer machines for group classes. These reformers comfortably accommodate a wide range of heights—from 4’10″ to well over 6’5″.
The extra length allows:
- Proper alignment without compression
- Full range of motion for long limbs
- Safer and more effective execution of exercises
- More creativity for everyone of all sizes with additional exercises possible
Without appropriately sized equipment, very tall clients are often limited to apparatus like the Cadillac or Chair. The Allegro Stretch Reformer opens up the full Pilates repertoire in a way that truly fits their bodies.
Pilates: Performance, Longevity, and the Competitive Edge
Nick summed it up simply:
“It finds the muscles I haven’t been working.”
That insight is exactly why Pilates belongs in every athlete’s training program.
It’s not just about performance—it’s about longevity, injury prevention, and moving efficiently in a body that has to work harder due to its structure.
I’ve seen this across all populations—from elite athletes to a 75-year-old golfer who, after just a few months, was hitting the ball farther than he had in years (though he kept 15 to Fit Method™ Pilates his “secret weapon” to stay ahead of his friends!).
Why This Matters for the Future of Training
As a proud partner with organizations like the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Balanced Body continues to bridge the gap between Pilates and strength & conditioning.
The takeaway is clear:
Pilates isn’t just beneficial for tall athletes—it may be essential.
With the right equipment, the right guidance, and a commitment to precision, Pilates helps athletes of all sizes move better, train smarter, and perform at their highest level.
Patrea, Owner and Founder of The 15 to Fit Method, has over 35 years of experience in the health and fitness field. She is a national expert in the field of Pilates and Strength training. She has trained athletes in the NBA, NFL, and Indianapolis 500 Champion, Eddie Cheever. She has trained countless high school championship athletes and even an entire football team: Five consecutive State championship team Cathedral High School, Indianapolis, Indiana.
She is passionate about Pilates and has developed a unique, highly-effective method of Pilates that gets maximum results. This passion drives our hand-selected team of instructors to greater heights, always learning, striving and improving…just like our clients. Find Patrea on Instagram: @patreapilates
