Reformer pilates exercise: An investigation of women's body image and body liking levels

This study aimed to examine the body image and self-esteem levels of women who practice reformer pilates and the relationship between them. The population of the research consists of 700 female individuals doing reformer pilates exercises in 19 private centers in Elazığ city center in 2023-2024, while the sample was determined by the convenience sampling method and consists of 450 female individuals who voluntarily participated in the study. Personal information form (age, marital status, profession, educational status, economic income, frequency of reformer pilates exercise, time to start exercising), body image scale and body liking scale were used to collect the data of the study. The relational screening model was used as a model in the study. SPSS 25.0 program was used to analyze the obtained data. As a result of the study, it was observed that reformer pilates exercise positively affects women's body appreciation and body image, as body appreciation increases, body image becomes more positive, and factors such as age, marital status, education, profession and income level can shape this perception. It has been determined that regular exercise supports positive body perception, but high frequency does not always increase this effect. Keywords: Reformer Pilates, Body Image, Body Appreciation, Exercise