Whilst Pilates isn’t so good at building muscle bulk or power, what it is great at is utilising your postural muscles. These are deep muscles that tend to be closer to the skeleton that hold us up against gravity and provide stability around the joints whilst we are moving.
Another way that Pilates may help you to have the appearance of becoming more toned is by improving the way that you carry yourself. As you become more aware of your body you may naturally alter your posture to look longer and leaner.
Pilates focuses on slow, controlled, flowing movements which helps with coordination. It focusses on precision which means that the forces produced during movement are equally distributed between joints and muscle groups. This reduces the likelihood of imbalance between muscle groups.
Pilates is one of the most effective ways to do this because it targets multiple muscle groups at once while focusing on control, alignment, and consistency.
Contact us today to schedule your first Pilates session and take ownership of your fitness, mobility, and overall well-being through the life-changing magic of Pilates!
Adds spring resistance, which challenges muscles even more and leads to faster muscle activation. The adjustable tension levels allow for progressive overload, which accelerates toning and strength gains.
Even though we have a close-knit community, we are not a social hour. Our programs are built to push you. GRIT is perfect for men pilates muskego and naturally bigger bodies, as our reformers are built to handle them. We bring weight lifting and athletic training practices to the reformer.
This contributes to a firmer, more defined appearance even without significantly increasing muscle bulk.
One of the things that sets Pilates apart is the focus on precision and control. Movements are done slowly and intentionally—not just to make them harder, but to make them more effective.
I remember the day one of my clients walked into my office, frustrated. “I’ve been running and dieting for months,” she said, “but my body still looks the same. I just want to look toned—will Pilates help?”
Pilates emphasizes precision over momentum, which forces muscles to stay engaged longer. This time under tension helps develop muscle endurance and definition. Movements such as leg circles and roll-ups require sustained control, leading to greater muscle activation.
However, while using the Reformer, weights can be added to some exercises where appropriate. Reformer Pilates is a great way to improve posture and body alignment, which as we’ve said can contribute to a more toned appearance.
Single-Leg Bridge: Targets the glutes and hamstrings. This move also activates the lower back muscles and improves spinal alignment, contributing to better posture and lower body strength.
Place your bottom elbow directly under your shoulder, with your forearm resting on the mat for support.