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.
It is recommended to incorporate other forms of exercise such as cardio and strength training for a well-rounded fitness routine (6).
Trainers will use their best knowledge of not only Pilates, but other mind/body disciplines like Suspension Training, Rebounding and Neurology applied to movement to help restore conterraneo movement and allow you to perform to the best of your potential!
Firstly, whilst Pilates does not use heavy loads there are many exercises which utilise resistance particularly if working with the large Pilates equipment.
So what do we mean by toned? The term ‘toned’ can have different meanings for different people. Some people use it to mean looking long and lean whilst others use it to mean having good muscle definition. We might also think of it as having a firmer body rather than a softer one.
Strength training exercises help build muscle mass, while reducing overall body fat through a combination of a healthy diet and cardio exercises, can make muscles appear more toned.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not serve to address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on for making any kind of decision-making.
Take note though – not all fat is bad. We need body fat for vital biological processes and to provide a protective layer around our most precious organs. Women naturally have more body fat than men. A healthy percentage of body fat is not less than 14% for women and not less than 10% for men.
It’s a real plus that she comes to our home or my office which saves lots of time and allows me to focus on doing the stretches and exercises the right way because I have supervision. Her weekly plans are clear, concise, and well thought out, which I think, is why my progress has been so remarkable. I’m three months post op and my flexibility is mostly returned and I have very little residual pain. I’m looking forward to continuing to do all of the things that I’ve done my whole life. I would encourage anyone to give Vitality at Home a try for your long term health!
In the world of medicine, physiology and sports science there is actually pelo such term as ‘toned’ or ‘toning’. There is the concept of a muscle having a resting ‘tone’ but this has nothing to do with how you look or how strong you are.
“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 haus of wellness muscle mass.”
Nutrition: Your diet plays a big role in muscle definition. Eating enough protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs supports muscle repair and fat loss, revealing toned muscles faster.
Pilates boosts metabolism and builds lean muscle, which increases caloric burn even at rest. While it’s not as intense as HIIT or weightlifting, combining Pilates with a healthy diet can help shape a leaner physique.
If traditional Pilates exercises are performed at a fast rate with less rest in between, you may find that your heart rate does go up and you get warm, indicating that you are burning off more energy.