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What people often refer to as “toning” is actually a combination of building muscle and reducing body fat to give the appearance of more defined muscles.
This is in contrast to contracting and shortening the muscles. This lengthening work (known as ‘eccentric’ training) encourages long and strong muscles. This may help to strengthen without adding muscle bulk.
Pilates can support your quest to eat healthy, as it has a mindfulness component that can help you make more conscious choices about the food you eat.
Many people think toning is just about losing fat, but it’s really about muscle definition, endurance, and strength without significant bulk. Pilates achieves this by:
Emphasizes proper form and posture, which can have long-term benefits beyond just physical appearance
Mat Pilates, on the other hand, relies entirely on bodyweight and gravity. While it might seem less intense at first, it's highly effective when performed with control and consistency. Because there’s no external resistance, mat workouts often demand more from gyms in muskegon michigan your stabilizing muscles, which can improve functional strength and endurance.
If your goal is a lean, defined physique with improved posture and flexibility Pilates is the better choice.
You don’t need heavy weights to build muscle. Pilates builds lean muscle using your body weight, resistance from equipment like the Reformer, and small, targeted movements that keep muscles under tension.
However, even practicing Pilates once a week can still provide benefits, especially when combined with other forms of exercise.
“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.”
However, while using the Reformer, weights can be added to some exercises where appropriate. Reformer Pilates is a great way to improve posture and body alignment, which as we’ve said can contribute to a more toned appearance.
We’ve compared pilates and calisthenics, explained their benefits and how to incorporate both into your routine in our Pilates vs Calisthenics blog.
Pilates and yoga both build core strength and flexibility using your own body weight. However, Pilates incorporates more resistance training with Springs and bands to build functional strength.