For the uninitiated, Pilates is a low-impact, full-body workout focussing on slow, controlled movements aligned with breathwork, with a central tenet of core stability. Developed in the early 20th century by German boxer Joseph Pilates, it originally evolved as a form of rehabilitation for injured soldiers, before becoming popular with New York’s elite dancers and celebrities, spawning a worldwide movement that’s still going from strength to strength over cem years later.
Here, we explore what toning actually means, what factors affect how toned we look and how Pilates can assist in reaching your goal of looking leaner.
By increasing muscle tone and promoting better body awareness, Pilates can be a valuable component of a comprehensive fitness plan aimed at achieving a toned physique.
So, instead of making you bulkier, Pilates tones your body by building lean, functional muscle and improving the overall shape of your body.
If you have a layer of fat covering those muscles, then they won’t be as visible – giving the appearance of being “untoned”.
Exercises like the plank and teaser force muscles to contract without movement, which builds strength and definition.
Mat Pilates, on the other hand, relies entirely on bodyweight and gravity. While it might seem less intense at first, it's highly effective when performed with control and consistency. Because there’s no external resistance, mat workouts often demand more from your stabilizing muscles, which can improve functional strength and endurance.
The Reformer also allows for more movement variety, which can help target muscles from multiple angles — a useful factor when you're aiming to sculpt specific areas.
The focus on this version of a press up is to keep the elbows close to the sides. This is super challenging for your triceps as it means that you use your chest muscles less.
Athletes love using our Springboard and Reformer equipment to safely increase flexibility. Our Tower Circles open up the shoulders and thoracic spine, combatting poor posture and freeing up your breath. Regain your range of motion with Pilates!
Lean and toned up body isn’t just a far-fetched fantasy. Check out the BetterMe app and watch it propel your weight loss journey into high gear!
Nutrition: Your diet plays a big role in muscle definition. Eating enough protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs supports muscle repair and fat loss, revealing toned muscles faster.
Pilates is a multi-faceted exercise system focused on core strength, precise movements, proper alignment, and integrative breathing. Classes can be done on a mat or using Pilates equipment to add resistance yoga muskegon and variability for more athletic clients. While often associated with dancing and gymnastics, Pilates offers measurable benefits for people from all walks of life.
GRIT is different because our founder is a male, a former college athlete, and a former professional athlete personal trainer. GRIT is a masculine space, and our community comes here to handle business. We don't care about your size, knowledge, or outfit.