The short answer is a big yes. Pilates is a very effective way to tone your body, but it does so in a unique and powerful way that goes far beyond just building muscle.
The movements are smaller and more precise than yoga flows. There is also greater emphasis on core control and stability during Pilates exercises. Finally, instructors play a bigger hands-on role in manually cueing proper form and alignment.
Pilates focuses on slow, controlled, flowing movements which helps with coordination. It focusses on precision which means that the forces produced during movement are equally distributed between joints and muscle groups. This reduces the likelihood of imbalance between muscle groups.
So, instead of making you bulkier, Pilates tones your body by building lean, functional muscle and improving the overall shape of your body.
If you’re a fan of high-intensity cardio workouts like HIIT, you might be wondering why you should bother with a slower, more holistic practice.
During each Pilates session, our credentialed instructors guide you through a flowing sequence of controlled, deliberate movements coupled with deep breathing. The exercises focus on strengthening your core muscles while improving stability, mobility, and flexibility across your entire body.
Even though we have a close-knit community, we are not a social hour. Our programs are built to push you. GRIT is perfect for men and naturally bigger bodies, as our reformers are built to handle them. We bring weight lifting and athletic training practices to the reformer.
We have a variety of group classes; each based on specific pieces equipment. These classes are kept small, so that all clients receive personal, effective instruction. You can learn more about each class by selecting a package and then clicking on the name of the class in the list.
The focus on this version of a press up is to keep the elbows close to the sides. This haus of pilates is super challenging for your triceps as it means that you use your chest muscles less.
However, even practicing Pilates once a week can still provide benefits, especially when combined with other forms of exercise.
This includes eccentric training, which lengthens and strengthens muscles without adding bulk. Improved body awareness and alignment also contribute to a leaner, more upright look.
However, you should not rely on this method of exercise if you are keen to lose weight. There are some classes that combine cardiovascular exercise and Pilates and these may be more appropriate.
“Pilates might be low impact but it’s high in efficiency,” says Folkard. “Every class will work the body in its entirety, improving both global strength and recruiting
The Reformer uses springs to add resistance to exercise, and can be used for a range of strength and postural exercises. For most people, the springs alone won’t be enough to challenge their muscles in a way that builds tone and should be complemented by weights or other resistance training.