We’ve all heard that the way to lose weight is to exercise more and eat less. While pilates may not be the first exercise you think of in terms of weight loss, it offers many advantages over other routines by providing a way to not just weight loss, but increased strength and overall well-being. Surprised? Don’t be! Pilates is a system of exercise that works every part of the body in an efficient, safe, and functional ways. It requires minimal equipment, and can be done at home or in the studio. Read on for the scoop on how pilates can help you reach your weight loss goals.
Nervous System Regulation
The stress hormone cortisol sends signals to our bodies to slow down our metabolism, causing us to hold onto fat. High levels of stress, a lack of sleep, and overwork can all raise cortisol levels and hinder weight loss. Pilates provides a way to work out that emphasizes slower, functional movements that target specific muscle groups and work on body balance. It’s a more relaxing and mindful form of exercise, which can contribute to lower cortisol levels and more efficient metabolism.
Longer, Leaner Muscles and Improved Posture
Pilates emphasizes targeting all of the muscles of the body, but particularly the core. This leads to better posture, and better efficiency in everyday activities. The routine can decrease pain, allowing for more movement in everyday life. Additionally, pilates focuses on building leaner muscles with greater flexibility, rather than bulking up. Lean muscle encourages weight loss, and makes the body appear more slender and graceful.
Body Weight Exercises
While there is pilates equipment available, many of the exercises use body weight, rather than external weights. This type of exercise creates safe and effective resistance to increase muscle mass and efficiency. Using your own bodyweight helps to improve your base metabolic rate, which will help you lose weight.
Resistance Training to Lose Weight
Pilates also use bigger equipment like reformer, stability chair, cadillac, or barrel that add resistance component. The beauty of Pilates equipment is that with resistance you can simplify some exercises while challenge the movement or coordination in others. By forcing your muscle to work against resistance, you train them to grow and adapt to better handle the exercises. Building muscle in this manner stokes your metabolism, which means that you are burning more calories even when you are at rest. Muscle tissue requires more calories to maintain than other body tissues, so the more muscle you have on your body, the more calories you will burn each day, even when you aren’t working out!
Many people believe that cardio exercise is the only way to lose weight, and engage in intense workouts that can lead to overexertion, overuse injuries, and burnout. While no one workout is right for everyone, Pilates is a very adaptable type of exercise, which can be modified to meet people at any stage of their fitness journey. If you’ve been working to lose weight, with no success, consider giving Pilates a try!
At Pilates Difference, we work with a variety of clients including the ones who want to lose weight. We also provide nutritional support, setting up food macros, tracking and accountability for best results. If you are in Milton, Georgetown, Campbellville, or Halton Hills, we are happy to assist you and help you with your health goals. Contact us for a free consultation.