Will Pilates ruin my gains?
Could Pilates be what your gym routine is missing? At the Studio on Third, we have a handful of clients that practice Pilates and weight training. What has happened to their weight training with more Pilates? Everything for the better. No lack of gains here!
Pilates is a powerful exercise that goes beyond mobility and just a “stretchy” class.It is a low impact exercise that will support your weight training goals! And, guaranteed, Pilates will make you feel better.
Let’s start with breath. So many times at the gym, people are holding their breath to get through that last, heavy rep. Pilates will teach you how to inhale on the “easy” i.e. going down in a back squat and exhaling on the way up or the “harder” part of any movement. Try some breathing at the gym next time you have that one heavy rep left. You might surprise yourself with how much it helps. In through the nose and out through the mouth is what we like to say in Pilates land.
Next, Pilates is all about using the core. With the power of the core, you will discover better posture leading to better form and better results in the gym. Pilates will teach you how to engage your center so that you can stand taller and lift heavier sh!t. You will lift heavier because you will learn through Pilates that your core goes far beyond your six pack. It includes your spine, gluts, obliques, pelvic floor and rectus abdominis. Just think what would happen if you knew how to engage it all?!? Amazing things! And, with better knowledge of those muscles, you will improve your stability and balance.
Core + mobility= great life! Gym life can come with injuries, sometimes chronic pain, and joint issues. Pilates provides mobility training within the workout. With a strong center and great mobility, chances are that your weight training will feel better and your body will move more fluidly after your workouts.
Finally, Pilates focus is also more towards the smaller muscle groups, the ones that can be left behind while lifting weights. Don’t get me wrong, we need to work those big muscles too, but with more little muscles working, you will find that your lifting at the gym might just get a little bit better. When talking to a local personal trainer, he stated that minor muscle group strength has helped his clients a lot at the gym. Another trainer has noticed that clients who practice Pilates have better hip flexors and shoulders.
Is Pilates what you have been missing in your weight training? Come find out!