I am a functional movement coach utilizing a unique methodology to create strength and conditioning programs for the past 2 decades. I have worked with every demographic from rehabilitation clients to professional athletes.
Through focused exercises like leg lifts, planks, or movements on the Reformer, these muscles are activated and trained to support you in everyday movement.
For example, it is common for people to stand in a resting position with their lower back arched, which means that their stomach protrudes. Standing in a way that reduces the arch of the lower back prevents the stomach from sticking out.
Pilates can help build lean muscle mass, but if it’s covered by excess body fat, those defined muscles won’t be as visible.
After graduating from The Citadel, I began working with middle and high school football teams to develop functional strength and conditioning programs. Soon after, I began coaching amateur and professional MMA athletes.
You might notice muscles you didn’t know existed becoming more visible, which can build confidence and motivation to continue your practice.”
The term “toning” as applied to exercise was likely introduced to the fitness world as a marketing term. Its purpose? To encourage women to do strength training during decades when the concept of gaining muscle bulk was considered unfeminine and therefore off putting to women.
Performing Pilates regularly means that you are repeatedly using your muscles and the more that you contract your muscles, the better your brain gets at telling them to move.
That started a process that would change my ideology and method of training the human body forever.
Reformer for Pilates: The Pilates Reformer is the most famous Pilates machine. It uses springs and pulleys to give you adjustable resistance, which lets you do more exercises and work your muscles harder. This works very well for specific toning.
Pilates is great for improving general body haus of wellness awareness and this is helpful for improving your form and technique when you are doing other types of exercise.
While studying and developing functional strength methodologies, I was introduced to The Pilates Method. This was a truly eye-opening experience. After a couple of months of working with a classical Pilates teacher, I was amazed at how my body felt, looked, and responded to all other activities.
Whilst Pilates theoretically is not the quickest route to increasing muscle mass, anecdotally many people do feel that they look more ‘toned’ when they do Pilates. There are a few reasons why this may be.
When comparing the Pilates body to the gym body, many factors come into play, including individual goals, skill level, and personal preferences. Some people may find that they enjoy one form of exercise more than the other, making it easier to stick with consistently.