From Gymnastics to Pilates: Movement, Athletes & Performance with Lauren Skopal

What does 30 years of elite movement — from rhythmic gymnastics to international circus performance — teach you about the body? And how does that change the way you use Pilates with athletes?

In this episode of The Pilates Lounge Podcast, Katie Crane sits down with Lauren Skopal — exercise and sports scientist, founder of Limber Sports Performance, and former international acrobat. Lauren brings a rare perspective to movement education. Her background spans 12 years of competitive rhythmic gymnastics, 15 years performing aerial and acrobatic acts around the world, and a career in sports science and Pilates. The conversation is rich, honest, and packed with practical insight for Pilates professionals working with active bodies.

In This Episode, We Discuss

• Lauren's journey from elite gymnastics to international circus performing — and how that shaped her body awareness
• Why gymnastics-trained athletes make the strongest performers in disciplines like circus and acrobatics
• Common injuries in artistic athletes and how Pilates supports long-term joint health
• How Pilates can be embedded into athlete warm-ups, cool-downs, and strength and conditioning programs
• The gap between sports science education and what Pilates actually teaches about the body
• Why niching down in your Pilates business actually brings in more clients, not fewer
• Lauren's new online flexibility program inspired by gymnastics-based training

Key Takeaways

✨ Body awareness starts young — and Pilates builds on that

Gymnastics trains the body from a young age to move with precision, control, and effortlessness. Pilates shares that same attention to detail. Lauren sees a natural connection between the two disciplines — and uses both to help athletes understand how their body works.

✨ Pilates belongs inside the training program, not just the rehab room

Most athletes only discover Pilates after injury. But Lauren makes the case for weaving it into warm-ups, cool-downs, and accessory work — before problems arise. It doesn't need its own time slot to be effective.

✨ Core-driven movement is a performance tool, not just injury prevention

Pilates builds stabilization, movement control, and muscular endurance. Lauren says that when athletes know how to use their core well, it improves force transfer, biomechanics, and overall performance — not just joint longevity.

✨ Niching down builds authority — and attracts more of the right clients

Lauren focuses her practice on athletic populations. Katie reflects on the same choice in her own studio. When you know exactly who you serve, you become the go-to person for that group. Referrals follow naturally.

About Lauren Skopal

Lauren Skopal is an exercise and sports scientist and the founder of Limber Sports Performance. She has over 30 years of experience in sport and movement as an athlete, international performer, coach, consultant, and educator. Lauren competed in rhythmic gymnastics nationally in Australia for 12 years before spending 15 years as an international acrobat and circus performer. She holds a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport and Health Science and a Master of Applied Sports Science from Deakin University. Lauren works with artistic athletes, gymnasts, dancers, tennis players, and circus artists — helping them build the stability, mobility, and movement quality they need to perform at their best.

Connect with Lauren www.limbersportsperformance.com.au @limbersportsperformance @limberbylauren

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About The Pilates Lounge

The Pilates Lounge is a space for Pilates professionals, movement educators, and curious learners to explore meaningful conversations around movement, teaching, health, and the evolving Pilates industry