Pilates & Weight Loss

Pilates is a popular form of exercise and, like any form of exercise, can contribute to weight loss. Weight loss, however, was not what Joseph Pilates had in mind when he created Pilates. Pilates is mainly a series of strengthening and stretching exercises done on an exercise mat or Pilates machine.

  1. Benefits

    • Pilates offers many benefits, like muscle toning, posture improvement, improved flexibility, balance and coordination and a stronger core. Pilates classes are offered at gyms and Pilates studios. You can also buy DVDs for Pilates done on a mat or purchase a Pilates machine to work out at home. The Pilates Cardio Rebounder is a mini trampoline attachment you can add onto a Pilates strengthening machine to focus more on weight loss while still using the Pilates machine to do exercises for strength training.

    Moderate Weight Loss

    • Although Pilates does burn calories, it is not the most effective way to burn calories. According to the Mayo clinic, jogging and cross country skiing burn 512 calories per hour, which is more than double what a beginning Pilates class burns. Running burns 864 calories, jumping rope burns 640, and climbing stairs burns 576. Pilates classes, however, vary in difficulty and focus depending on the instructor. Self.com says that an advanced Pilates class can burn 421 calories.

    Pilates with Weight Loss

    • A great way to use Pilates to effectively burn calories is to incorporate some moderate or high-intensity cardio into your workouts. For example, jump rope or do jumping jacks between exercises for 60 seconds to get your heart rate up and increase your overall caloric burn. See the Resources section for a video excerpt of a Pilates DVD that uses this format.

    Considerations

    • Exercise is not the only consideration when trying to lose weight. Weight loss occurs when you eat less and move more. Overall, the amount of calories you eat daily should be less than the amount of calories you burn. Therefore, you should find a technique that helps you watch what you eat. Carrying around a notebook to record what you eat and add up your calories is one method. There are also several online programs you can use for free to add up calories for you when you catalog what you eat.

    Function

    • Pilates is mostly about building lean muscle and muscle tone. This will reshape your body and make you look thinner and tighter even if you do not lose a pound. However, if it is something you like to do and you do it on a regular basis, you will lose weight, as long as you monitor your caloric intake.