For the uninitiated, Pilates is a low-impact, full-body workout focussing on slow, controlled movements aligned with breathwork, with a central tenet of core stability. Developed in the early 20th century by German boxer Joseph Pilates, it originally evolved as a form of rehabilitation for injured soldiers, before becoming popular with New York’s elite dancers and celebrities, spawning a worldwide movement that’s still going from strength to strength over 100 years later.
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.
An important fact to acknowledge is that you can’t lose fat from selected body parts. If you lose body fat, you will lose it all over.
Unlike traditional workouts that mainly target superficial muscles, Pilates works on stabilizing muscles like the transverse abdominis, multifidus, and pelvic floor muscles.
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:
The result is strength without bulk. Muscles become more firm and defined, especially when combined with consistent training and healthy habits outside the studio.
Start by positioning yourself on all fours, with your hands directly under your shoulders and knees under your hips.
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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!
Don’t be put off by it’s cool aesthetic. One of the things we love most about Pilates is that, while it is super on trend, right now, there’s a practice for everyone.
Pilates can be a valuable tool in this journey towards toned muscles, as it helps build muscle mass and can improve overall body strength.
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.
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 muskegon lakeshore fitness heart rate does go up and you get warm, indicating that you are burning off more energy.