In order to achieve muscle definition, the fastest way would be to get down to the gym and lift heavy weights in order to stimulate the necessary changes for muscle growth – and of course alter your diet.
Our Pilates sessions incorporate mat work and specialized equipment like Reformers, Chairs, and Barrels. The exercises blend strengthening and stretching with a focus on core engagement, proper alignment, coordinated breathing, and smooth transitions between movements. Sessions are fully personalized for your skill level and goals.
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.
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.
During each Pilates session, our credentialed instructors guide you through a flowing sequence of controlled, deliberate movements coupled with deep breathing. The exercises focus on strengthening your core muscles while improving stability, mobility, and flexibility across your entire body.
Whilst Pilates isn’t generally considered strength training, we do use resistance, particularly when using Pilates equipment. When you contract your muscles against resistance, your muscles communicate with your brain and vice versa.
Expect to engage muscles that stabilize your spine, back, shoulders, and hips through a blend of resistance training and stretching. Our instructors pay meticulous attention to alignment, ensuring you develop body awareness and confidence in your movements.
The focus on this version of a press up is to keep the elbows close to the sides. This is super challenging for your triceps as it means that you use your chest muscles less.
Strengthening exercise to increase the amount of muscle you have is also valuable, since muscle tissue uses more energy than fat.
“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, you should not rely on this method of exercise if you are keen to lose weight. There are some classes that combine cardiovascular exercise and Pilates and these may be more appropriate.
Research backs the benefits of Pilates for muscle toning. A study found that eight mind body haus weeks of Pilates significantly improved core strength, flexibility, and muscle endurance.
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.