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.
Why? A classic Pilates move that's part of most classes, this move is great for improving mobility, and strengthening the back of the body, including the glutes.
Pilates can help build lean muscle mass, but if it’s covered by excess body fat, those defined muscles won’t be as visible.
But yes – it’s true that a dedicated and consistent practice of Pilates alongside a healthy and balanced lifestyle will likely make you feel stronger and more toned, perhaps even with leaner limbs.
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Pilates simultaneously strengthens and stretches your entire body in a low-impact format. Think resistance training meets yoga, with added emphasis on precision and breathwork.
Pilates is effective for toning muscles and improving overall body strength. While it primarily focuses on building lean muscle mass and enhancing posture, incorporating Pilates into a regular exercise routine can contribute to weight loss when combined with a balanced diet and cardiovascular activities.
And, because we’d hate to leave you wanting more, why not take a look at our guides to Pilates for beginners and Pilates exercises for beginners, find out about the five simple Pilates moves one MC UK Health Writer and fitness trainer raves about, plus discover the best twenty minute Pilates workouts, for when you're pushed for time.
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.
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.
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 haus of b pilates why this may be.
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.