Bulking up with Reformer Pilates

[Anonymous]

I wasn’t sure but I put this in the beauty and fashion section because this is purely about aesthetics, and not about health or strength.

I’ve gotten really into reformer Pilates over the last few years, and have never been stronger or felt better. BUT! It’s making my thighs bulk up *a lot*, to the point where it’s becoming uncomfortable for me to cross my legs knee-over-knee. What am I doing wrong?

An internet search suggests lower weights and faster reps, but also that I’m going into my quads too much, which I think would be made worse by doing more/faster reps. Please help! I want that long, lean look that makes clothes hang so elegantly! TIA

[Anonymous]

I do reformer pilates as well. How often do you go, and what level are your classes? In your shoes, I would probably go less often and/or reduce the level of my classes, and add in some light cardio.

[Anonymous]

Bulking up? This is definitely unusual. Are you taking HRT? I would be getting my hormone levels checked if I was you.

[Anonymous]

I don't know what's going here, but accidentally adding significant amounts of muscle via pilates is super unlikely.

[Anonymous]

You’re getting hungrier and eating more.

[Anonymous]

I think you would need to very intentionally & massively add progressive overload to "bulk up" with pilates. I've never heard of this happening. Have you gained weight?

I'd ask your instructor; they'd likely know best.

[Anonymous]

Do you feel like you adequately engage your glutes/feel the burn in your glutes often, even in non-glute specific stuff like footwork, for example? Do your quads love to take over?

[Anonymous]

First of all, the “long, lean look” is more a function of genetics and natural body type than it is of pilates. Second, it is actually difficult for women to “bulk up” without specifically meaning to do so through targeted exercises and supplements.
I have always had large thighs and strong quads. After years of pilates, my thighs are more defined and tighter, but not bigger. But even when I weighed over 200 pounds, I could still cross my legs.
Even the way you talk about the exercises (lower weights and more reps) not sound like pilates. It sounds like weightlifting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you feel like you adequately engage your glutes/feel the burn in your glutes often, even in non-glute specific stuff like footwork, for example? Do your quads love to take over?

I also do regular pilates. I think this is the answer. My thighs also have gotten thicker (in a muscular way) since starting pilates 2 yrs ago, and I read up trying to figure out the why and the above was the only answer I found - I try to be conscious of this in classes but I’m still having the same results. I’d say I naturally have a lean physique and pilates has made my thighs, and to a lesser extend upper arms, bulkier looking which I do not love (I do love the core strength and balance I have gained).

[Anonymous]

If with no weight gain the amount of muscle you've put on from *Pilates* makes you uncomfortable, this isn't a question about exercise or muscle growth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wasn’t sure but I put this in the beauty and fashion section because this is purely about aesthetics, and not about health or strength.

I’ve gotten really into reformer Pilates over the last few years, and have never been stronger or felt better. BUT! It’s making my thighs bulk up *a lot*, to the point where it’s becoming uncomfortable for me to cross my legs knee-over-knee. What am I doing wrong?

An internet search suggests lower weights and faster reps, but also that I’m going into my quads too much, which I think would be made worse by doing more/faster reps. Please help! I want that long, lean look that makes clothes hang so elegantly! TIA

if you're doing reformer Pilates then its not a question of weights, its a question of springs. I do leg work on all the springs and don't get bulky thighs but maybe you gain muscle easily and should go to 2 or 3 springs.