This or that… Pilates vs. Strength

With Pilates’ rise in popularity online in the past year or two, an odd debate has started. This is the question of Pilates vs. strength training. To me, it’s like comparing apples to oranges.

While I think a lot of people make the comparison for the clicks and subsequent angry comments from loyalists to either modality that boost engagement, there still seems to be some confusion about the two. I’m of the mindset that both are essential for a balanced fitness routine, and I want to provide some clarity as to why.

For simplicity's sake, strength training focuses on actually building muscle through heavy resistance, often targeting specific muscle groups. On the other hand, in Pilates our goal is to create balance within the body through three key factors: strength, flexibility, and stability. We create a heightened awareness of the body and foster the ability to center, or originate movement from the trunk of the body (the powerhouse).

While Pilates can improve strength, it’s meant to be full body expression, not targeted activation. It is not something that is going to build a substantial amount of muscle like weight lifting would. It will, however, change your body in other ways. Correcting postural imbalances, strengthening joints, and creating a lifted appearance through the entire body are all results you can expect from a consistent Pilates practice.

By learning how to use your body more efficiently in the studio, you can create better results in the gym while also avoiding injury. This is why we see so many professional athletes include Pilates in their training.

Ready to give Pilates a try? Let’s schedule a session.