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.
Pilates can be part of a plan to achieve a toned stomach, but it’s not the only factor. It engages = your abdominal muscles and builds core strength, but it takes more than just exercise to reveal a defined six-pack.
So, instead of making you bulkier, Pilates tones your body by building lean, functional muscle and improving the overall shape of your body.
Pilates emphasizes alignment, control, and posture. As posture improves, the body naturally appears leaner and more lifted. Better muscle engagement and movement efficiency may give the impression of being more “toned,” even without significant fat loss or hypertrophy.
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.
Working out with a friend can be very inspiring and motivational, and at BodyMind Pilates we understand that connection by offering Duet Sessions. Just like Private Sessions, these classes provide access to all the equipment as well as personal training, support, and encouragement from one of our certified Pilates instructors.
Muscle definition results from two things – both having an increase in lean muscle tissue and having low body fat, so that you can see the contours of the muscles.
One of the things that sets Pilates apart is the focus on precision and control. Movements are done slowly and intentionally—not just to make them harder, but to make them more effective.
Inhale deeply and lift your arms towards the ceiling, beginning to yoga muskegon mi peel your head and shoulders off the mat.
“Pilates works the body as a whole,” agrees Folkard. “Rather than isolating one or two muscle groups, it encourages two-way stretch and strengthening moves that engage many different muscles, creating a balanced workout and increasing muscle mass.”
The truth is, neither approach is automatically “better” for toning. What matters most is how you’re practicing: the quality of movement, consistency over time, and the level of challenge being applied.
BodyMind Pilates is one of the studios in Grand Rapids that offers a suspension system with bouyancy. Based on the latest findings in brain science research, Suspension Training is a cutting edge movement system that strengthens, lengthens, and corrects muscle firing patterns. By working with controlled instability, the body senses risk and automatically engages core muscles on a deeper level.
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.