Many people wonder if Pilates is as effective as lifting weights for toning. The truth is, both workouts have their own advantages, but they work in different ways.
Here, we explore what toning actually means, what factors affect how toned we look and how Pilates can assist in reaching your goal of looking leaner.
For example, it is common for people to stand in a resting position with their lower back arched, which means that their stomach protrudes. Standing in a way that reduces the arch of the lower back prevents the stomach from sticking out.
Unlike traditional workouts that mainly target superficial muscles, Pilates works on stabilizing muscles like the transverse abdominis, multifidus, and pelvic floor muscles.
Pilates is often overlooked and dismissed as a stretching routine, yet it’s one of the most effective ways to build long lean muscles.
If we think of being ‘toned’ as meaning that someone has good muscle definition then we want to know how to get muscle definition.
Start by positioning yourself on all fours, with your hands directly under your shoulders and knees under your hips.
If you’re new to Pilates, aim for 2-3 times a week to start and gradually increase as you become more comfortable with the exercises (5). If you have specific areas of your body that you want to tone, consider targeting those muscles more frequently within your weekly routine.
We are unable to match our clients with partners, but please feel free to connect with other clients or invite a friend to join you.
Not all Pilates exercises are created equal. Some moves are especially powerful for building strength, endurance, and definition. Here are my top picks:
You’ve seen those Pilates before and after photos and body haus are wondering which exercises will help you achieve a similar transformation. While there are countless Pilates exercises to choose from, here are eight suggested moves for building lean muscle mass and achieving a toned physique:
Pilates can be a valuable component of a well-rounded fitness routine aimed at improving muscle tone, but it may be more effective when combined with other forms of exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s talk about Pilates and how it fits into this equation.
Being more aware of your body lets you use the right muscles during workouts, which makes them more effective and makes sure your body is working well to tone and shape.