A Melbourne pilates studio owner’s TikTok clip about a member review complaining that a man attended a hot pilates class shirtless has prompted a brisk online debate over whether men should be required to wear tops in heated workout settings.
Georgia, who runs CorePlus studios in Collingwood and Fitzroy North, posted the video after receiving a written complaint from a female member that read in part: "Men are required to wear shirts in a gym, so they should be required to wear shirts in a hot pilates studio." The clip has been viewed more than 28,000 times.
Georgia told news.com.au that CorePlus has long emphasised personal choice around apparel while asking members to be respectful of others. "We've worked so hard to create this culture where people feel comfortable and confident to wear whatever they like — within reason," she said, adding that staff have occasionally asked attendees to add clothing when attire was judged inappropriate for other members' comfort. She said the studio had not previously received a complaint specifically about men being topless.
The post and the review drew sharply divided responses in the comments. Some users described shirtless attendance in a heated class as "weird," "gratuitous" or unhygienic, citing heavy sweating and perceived discomfort from other participants. One commenter wrote that they "didn't pay $30 for a hot pilates class to see a sweaty man with his shirt off," while others complained about men attending in minimal swimwear.
Other commenters defended individual choice and said they were unconcerned about what other people wear while exercising. "I'm there doing my own workout. I'm not bothered about what everyone else is wearing," one wrote. Another urged members to "mind their own business and not judge what others wear." Some posts framed the debate in terms of gender double standards.
Pilates studios vary in policy. Some operators in Melbourne have recently introduced "tops on for men" rules, which Georgia suggested may be making the issue more visible. Hot pilates classes are typically held in studios heated to about 34 to 38 degrees Celsius, conditions in which lighter clothing and heavy perspiration are common and sometimes preferred for comfort and mobility.
The conversation in Georgia’s clip echoes broader online debates on platforms such as TikTok and Reddit as more men enrol in pilates and other fitness classes that were once perceived as female-dominated. Studio operators balancing inclusivity, hygiene and client comfort continue to craft policies that reflect the expectations of their memberships.
CorePlus officials did not announce a policy change following the viral clip, and Georgia characterised the matter as a single-member review rather than an ongoing conflict within her classes. The exchange highlights how workout etiquette and dress codes have become contested topics as fitness spaces evolve and broaden their demographics.