For the uninitiated, Pilates is a low-impact, full-body workout focussing on slow, controlled movements aligned with breathwork, with a central tenet of core stability. Developed in the early 20th century by German boxer Joseph Pilates, it originally evolved as a form of rehabilitation for injured soldiers, before becoming popular with New York’s elite dancers and celebrities, spawning a worldwide movement that’s still going from strength to strength over 100 years later.
It is recommended to incorporate other forms of exercise such as cardio and strength training for a well-rounded fitness routine (seis).
Our classes welcome men and women aged 18-55 hoping to regain or improve their active lifestyles. We cater to everyone from high school and college athletes to weekend warriors and adults trying to exercise for the first time. Pilates is low-impact and customizable for your individual needs, making it possible to see results regardless of your age, injuries, or current abilities.
Unlike traditional workouts that mainly target superficial muscles, Pilates works on stabilizing muscles like the transverse abdominis, multifidus, and pelvic floor muscles.
Pilates can help improve your posture, which may indirectly change the appearance of your body. It also helps build lean muscle and burn fat, leading to a more toned physique.
So, does Pilates help you to lose weight? The reality is, doing Pilates on its own will not be sufficient exercise to lose weight. If you are after the most direct strategy to losing weight a combination of diet and exercise is needed.
Pilates is effective for toning muscles and improving overall body strength. While it primarily focuses on building lean muscle mass and enhancing posture, incorporating Pilates into a regular exercise routine can contribute to weight loss when combined with a balanced diet and cardiovascular activities.
This contributes to a firmer, more defined appearance even without significantly increasing muscle bulk.
Similar to can pilates tone your body the one-on-one, the instructor is still able to give focused corrections. It can also be a fun way to practice with a friend, and can be scheduled according to your needs.
Strengthening exercise to increase the amount of muscle you have is also valuable, since muscle tissue uses more energy than fat.
Pilates can be a valuable tool in this journey towards toned muscles, as it helps build muscle mass and can improve overall body strength.
My shoulder was dislocated and ultimately, surgically repaired. I’ve been told that rehab for a shoulder is the worst part, but Dr. Jenna Smiith has made the whole process bearable. She measures progress every visit and tailors the stretches and exercises to my individual performance, or lack of. Her enthusiasm is contagious and helps to motivate me to do the stretches every day, and usually a couple of times per day. She spends time and studies how I’m moving and adjusts each stretch to maximize my efforts.
We’ve compared pilates and calisthenics, explained their benefits and how to incorporate both into your routine in our Pilates vs Calisthenics blog.
While not traditionally used for weight loss, Pilates can accelerate fat loss and refine your shape as part of a comprehensive lifestyle plan. Muscle conditioning boosts your metabolism while core engagement and breathing teach mindfulness and self-regulation skills that reduce stress hormones and emotional eating triggers. Pilates perfectly complements a clean eating regimen for safe, sustainable weight loss.