Does Pilates work for toning?

[Anonymous]

I don't necessarily want to lose weight, but I would love to tone up and become tighter. Does pilates work for that, is weight lifting better, or is the best option a combination?

[Anonymous]

I think most people will see benefits either way, provided that BF% is low enough (otherwise, difficult to see any changes). Most pilates-enthusiasts I know are very toned

If you're not into the breathing/alignment aspect, go for weights. Classics like pushups and planks are quite effective too

[Anonymous]

Combination is my preference. Heavier weights help tone my legs and arms. Pilates or Barre do a lot for my core and butt, and keeps me feeling more upright and fluid overall.

[Anonymous]

I like Pilates and hot yoga for toning. Plus walking regularly.

[Anonymous]

Yes!!!

[Anonymous]

Pilates and yoga. Yoga will actually tone you up faster if you pick a vinyasa/ashtanga based one.

[Anonymous]

After a back injury in my 40s, I will say that doing both is the answer. I was doing weight lifting and running. I felt great. But when I started coming back after the injury, my PT suggested Pilates first to build the foundational muscles. Exercises you do in pilates and barre really strengthen the smaller muscles in your glutes, hips, and back, and are great for core strength. You will naturally do your weight lifting more safely and more effectively if you work your muscles in both ways.

[Anonymous]

If you are asking if Pilates is a magic bullet to get you to change your body composition, then... no. What most people mean by "toning" is actually losing fat while gaining muscle. To do this, you need to build muscle through weight training (pilates counts!), and reduce fat through diet. FYI... it's pretty hard to do both things at once. Building muscle typically requires excess calories, and losing fat typically requires a deficit.

[Anonymous]

The women who get “toned” from Pilates or yoga are the women who come in with what you think of as yoga bodies; already thin with low body fat.

Toned really means seeing your muscles this requires losing enough fat to see your muscles or if skinny fat/no muscles even at low body fat you need to building muscle through strength training and eating enough to gain muscle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pilates and yoga. Yoga will actually tone you up faster if you pick a vinyasa/ashtanga based one.

Not if you're doing reformer Pilates. It's a strength based workout that tones.