Any fitness program can change your body by helping you lose fat, gain muscle, and improving your overall physical health. However, no other movement routine can quite do this the way Pilates can. By focusing on your deep core, flexibility, and posture, regular Pilates practice will help you stand up taller, move more consciously, and build long, lean muscles through full-body toning. An accessible practice that is backed by science and an ever-growing number of personal testaments around the world, Pilates embraces a holistic outlook that will completely transform your body for the better from the inside out.
Are you ready to see how your body can improve with regular Pilates practice?Contact the Westwood Pilates instructorsatSheppard Method Pilatesto discuss how we can help you get started. Schedule your first class now!
Pilates Connects Everything to The Core
With Pilates, everything goes back to the importance of a strong core. Known as the “powerhouse” in Pilates, your core does not just include your abs (that six pack we all desire, although Pilates can help sculpt that, too!) but the deep core. These deep, stabilizing muscles include the pelvic floor, psoas, multifidus, transversus and rectus abdominis, the hip flexors, and the glutes. By engaging the powerhouse in every Pilates movement, you will strengthen and improve mobility of your entire body, as our extremities lead from our core stabilizer muscles.
Your body transformation through regular Pilates practice will therefore begin here, in the core. Studies have shown that a strong core achieved through Pilates resonates throughout the entire body, giving you long, lean, stabilizing muscles—while also trimming that waistline and sculpting your abs.
Pilates Encourages Flexibility
One common misconception is that you need to already be flexible to start practicing Pilates. That could not be farther from the truth! Though flexibility is not required, you will increase your flexibility and range of motion through regular practice. Increased flexibility will change the way you move your body by increasing your mobility, leading to a more graceful, and overall healthier, daily body movement. In fact, as our bodies age, doctors cite mobility and flexibility key indicators of physical and mental health. With Pilates, your body transformation will move beyond the aesthetic.
Pilates Corrects Poor Posture
One of the most mentioned benefits to practicing Pilates is an improved posture. A better posture can dramatically transform your body through lengthening of the spine and neck, broadening the shoulders, re-aligning the hips and pelvis, and tightening the core. A better posture will correct a rounded back, tech neck, and other physical appearances. With a better posture, you will sit and stand straight, making you appear taller. You will radiate confidence and grace because of regular Pilates practice!
Pilates Helps to Burn Unwanted Fat
If your primary goal is to trim your waistline and hips, Pilates can help you achieve that. Studies have shown that the “Pilates effect” can give the appearance of weight loss by trimming and toning unwanted flabby areas. Pilates, however, is not a cardio workout and you will burn less calories than a high-impact cardio session; therefore, you may not see a drastic change in the numbers on the scale. However, the “Pilates effect” is more than simply giving the appearance of a healthier, transformed body—those that practice Pilates regularly have also proven to be more active in general, eat healthier, stay consistently motivated, and are healthier overall. Pilates could just be the missing link in your weight loss journey!
Pilates Sculpts Long, Lean, Strong Muscles
With the rise in popularity of weightlifting, it is often easy to confuse size with strength. Building bulky muscles, however, are not the only indication of having a strong body. A sculpted, toned Pilates body is one of the strongest out there. Balance postures, deep core movements, and small, repetitive exercises that test endurance will transform your body and build strength by lengthening, toning, sculpting and strengthening. You will be able to see visible muscles along your arms, abs, and legs—long and lean. With enough regular practice, you will soon be able to endure movements even professional weightlifters will be in awe of.
Pilates Boosts Mental Health
There is nothing can than transform one’s overall appearance like a boost of self-confidence! Pilates not only reshapes your body but improves your mental health as well. You will walk taller, hold your head higher, move more gracefully, and emanate a healthy glow that gets everyone asking what your secret is.
Choose the Change that Feels Amazing with Pilates!
No matter the reason you initially became interested in Pilates, there is no question it can do wonders for your physical and mental health and transform your body into its healthiest state. Pilates is accessible to everyone—your physical abilities, fitness level, age, or weight is never a barrier. Come see what your amazing body can achieve at Sheppard Method Pilates of Westwood!
Call the Westwood Pilates instructorsat Sheppard Method Pilates to book your first class and transform your body from the inside out!
FAQs
Pilates focuses more on improving muscle tone than building muscles, but the result is similar: greater stability and endurance. Pilates isn't going to bulk you up — if anything, it's designed to cultivate a longer, leaner look.
How does Pilates change your body? ›
Pilates Sculpts Long, Lean, Strong Muscles
Balance postures, deep core movements, and small, repetitive exercises that test endurance will transform your body and build strength by lengthening, toning, sculpting and strengthening. You will be able to see visible muscles along your arms, abs, and legs—long and lean.
What results will you get from Pilates? ›
You'll get stronger, more sculpted muscles, and you'll get more flexible. You may also have better posture and a better sense of well-being. Since Pilates isn't aerobic, plan on doing this workout a few days a week along with cardio. It's demanding, but not the kind of workout that always works up a sweat.
Does Pilates change your body composition? ›
Pilates may improve body composition
Pilates uses repetitive stretches and exercises to increase flexibility and strength. And there is evidence that doing the practice can lead to favorable changes in body composition.
What are the results of Pilates workout? ›
A Stronger Core
Not only did my abs feel stronger, but I also became more aware of engaging my core in everyday life, whether I was hiking or unloading groceries from my car. I noticed the biggest change in my lower abs, which can be so hard to feel engaging during exercise.
How long does it take to see body changes from Pilates? ›
While individual experiences will vary, many people begin to notice physical improvements within a few weeks of consistent Pilates practice (usually the initial results within about 3 weeks) This is because even in the first few weeks, your ability to activate the correct muscles and be aware of your posture begins to ...
Does Pilates actually tone your body? ›
Pilates, a form of exercise that emphasizes controlled movements, breath, and alignment, can indeed contribute to toning your body. By targeting specific muscle groups and engaging your core, Pilates can help you develop long, lean muscles and improve overall body composition.
Is Pilates enough exercise? ›
It's possible to strengthen, improve flexibility, and sculpt with Pilates—but as we'll soon see, it's typically not enough on its own to achieve significant muscle gains. At any rate, Pilates helps to maintain muscle since it's a form of resistance training, Aditi notes.
Is 20 minutes of Pilates a day enough to lose weight? ›
Is 20 minutes of Pilates a day enough to get results? The short answer is… absolutely! Keep reading to learn how to incorporate 20-minute Pilates challenges into your routine for a consistent and beneficial Pilates practice.
What is better, Pilates or weight training? ›
Simply put, if your goal is to maintain a lean, toned, yet strong, and active body shape, Pilates is ideal for you. But if you want to get bigger and bulkier, then weight training is the right choice. But to support both, you have to adjust your diet accordingly.
Health benefits of Pilates
increased muscle strength and tone, particularly of your abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and buttocks (the 'core muscles' of your body) balanced muscular strength on both sides of your body. enhanced muscular control of your back and limbs.
Can Pilates change your face shape? ›
Increased tone and volume of facial muscles, which has the potential to change the appearance of your face (note in the before and after photo how my eyes have brightened and the area between the nose and upper lip has plumped). Increased strength and resting tone in the neck.
How many Pilates sessions does it take to change your body? ›
Joseph Pilates has a famous quote: “In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference, and in 30 you'll have a whole new body.” I committed to 30 sessions, which broke down to about three times a week over three months.
What results do you get from Pilates? ›
Pilates predominately strengthens your core, abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and glutes. As you maintain consistency, these muscles will become stronger, leaner and hurt less the day after when you exercise them frequently.
Does Pilates really change your body? ›
Pilates can change your body for the better in a multitude of ways. Not only will you enjoy physical benefits like increased muscle and tone, but you'll also experience a boost in mood and better mobility.
What is the secret to Pilates? ›
But flow might be the secret sauce that makes Pilates so different. And while this flow and ease of movement helps one to move gracefully through life and improve athletic and physical performance, it can also have major impact on injury prevention.
What body shape does Pilates give you? ›
You will likely develop a lean and toned physique if you practice Pilates consistently. This is because Pilates builds muscle and strengthens your body. Pilates exercises incorporate controlled movements that target specific muscle groups. These movements help activate your muscles and make them work harder.
Can you get in shape from Pilates? ›
Can You Build Muscle with Pilates? It's possible to strengthen, improve flexibility, and sculpt with Pilates—but as we'll soon see, it's typically not enough on its own to achieve significant muscle gains. At any rate, Pilates helps to maintain muscle since it's a form of resistance training, Aditi notes.
Will Pilates flatten my stomach? ›
Most Pilates exercises work to tighten your core muscles — the abdominal muscles, back muscles, and the muscles around your pelvis. Not only do Pilates help to flatten your stomach, but stronger core muscles enable you to do more physical activities.
