While Pilates isn’t a high-calorie-burning workout on its own, having more lean muscle does help your body burn more energy—even at rest.
However, a combination of various forms of exercise and a healthy diet is essential for achieving a toned body.
Begin alternating lifting your right arm and left leg, then your left arm and right leg in a swimming motion.
Let’s face it, we all seem to be more stressed than ever right now – and it’s no secret that hardcore cardio workouts can further increase our cortisol levels, sending our stress responses sky high. But we also know that exercise is a known stress reliever. The solution? You guessed it – Pilates.
But make sure to not overdo it. Just because you have a “problem” area you want to target, does not mean you should be spending your workouts only focussing on that area.
These blogs are designed to give information to everyone, however, it is important to remember that everyone is different! If you have not seen one of our therapists and have any questions about injuries, what you have read or whether this may be useful to you, please just ask.
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.
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.
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.
I remember the day one of my clients walked into my office, frustrated. “I’ve been running and dieting for months,” she said, “but my body still looks the same. I just want to look toned—will Pilates help?”
Both Reformer and mat Pilates can support toning, but they do so in slightly different ways depending on how they're practiced and what your goals are.
So, again, there aren’t any if you look at this medically! Muscle definition occurs as a result of increasing the amount of muscle mass relative to the amount of body fat you have.
We’re always looking for dedicated and passionate individuals who are dedicated to health and wellness to join our team.
The Reformer uses springs to add resistance to exercise, and can be used for a great north pilates 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.