With years of experience as a Physical Therapist, Jenna Smith has dedicated their career to helping patients achieve their maximum physical potential and improve their quality of life.
Pilates experts often refer to the core as our internal powerhouse and core strength is a vital component of an effective practice.
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.
Thankfully, times are changing and strength training is becoming popular for women as people understand the benefits. In addition, not all types of strength training lead to gains in muscle bulk so you can train in a way that suits your goals.
But yes – it’s true that a dedicated and consistent practice of Pilates alongside a healthy and balanced lifestyle will likely make you feel stronger and more toned, perhaps even with leaner limbs.
Exercises like the plank and teaser force muscles to contract without movement, which builds strength and definition.
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.
Take note though – not all fat is bad. We need body fat for vital biological processes and to provide a protective layer around our most precious organs. Women naturally have more body fat than men. A healthy percentage of body fat is not less than 14% for women and not less than 10% for men.
That started a process that would change my ideology and method of training the human body forever.
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 is great for improving general body awareness and this is helpful for improving your form and technique when you are doing other types of exercise.
Pilates can be a great option for building strength and targeting specific muscle groups, while the gym offers a wider variety of equipment and exercises for an all-around workout.
Pilates boosts metabolism and builds lean muscle, which increases caloric burn even at rest. While it’s not as intense as HIIT or weightlifting, combining Pilates with a healthy diet can help shape a leaner physique.
Achieving a toned appearance gyms in muskegon michigan typically requires a combination of factors, including regular exercise that targets various muscle groups, a balanced diet to support muscle definition, and possibly incorporating cardiovascular activities for overall fat loss.