Whilst Pilates isn’t so good at building muscle bulk or power, what it is great at is utilising your postural muscles. These are deep muscles that tend to be closer to the skeleton that hold us up against gravity and provide stability around the joints whilst we are moving.
Pilates experts often refer to the core as our internal powerhouse and core strength is a vital component of an effective practice.
Try our free 10-minute Ab Workout and learn the foundations of deep core training. Perfect for all levels, this quick workout will get you started on your journey to a stronger, more toned core.
Pilates can support your quest to eat healthy, as it has a mindfulness component that can help you make more conscious choices about the food you eat.
But make sure to not overdo it. Just because you have a “problem” area you want to target, does not mean you should be spending your workouts only focussing on that area.
Wall Pilates is a popular variation that uses a wall for support and resistance. It adds new challenges and ways to make traditional exercises harder.
Whilst Pilates isn’t generally considered strength training, we do use resistance, particularly when using Pilates equipment. When you contract your muscles against resistance, your muscles communicate with your brain and vice versa.
The key is consistency. Practicing Pilates regularly allows those small gains to add up to visible change over time.
One-on-One Sessions are by far the most effective way to practice Pilates/Suspension Training. The instructors will create a customized program based on your health, goals, and ability, and will re-evaluate your progress from time to time to make sure results are obtained.
I remember the day one of my clients walked into my office, frustrated. “I’ve been running and dieting for months,” she said, “but my body still looks the same. I just want to look toned—will Pilates help?”
Pilates emphasizes precision over momentum, which forces muscles to stay engaged longer. This time under tension helps develop muscle endurance and definition. Movements pilates muskegon such as leg circles and roll-ups require sustained control, leading to greater muscle activation.
Any exercise that engages and challenges your muscles can contribute to toning. Strength training exercises, including Pilates, can be beneficial for building lean muscle mass and toning the body.
Whilst Pilates theoretically is not the quickest route to increasing muscle mass, anecdotally many people do feel that they look more ‘toned’ when they do Pilates. There are a few reasons why this may be.
This is really important for efficient movement and also to help us stand up taller which can help you look slimmer..