Should I Practice Pilates or Yoga? Or…

I am a Pilates and Fitness Instructor who also runs, does HIIT, and skis (among other things), which gives me insight into many types of exercise. Thus, clients and others often ask me, “Should I practice Pilates or Yoga?” And so on down the list:

• Pilates or Running?
• Pilates or Crossfit?
• Pilates or Strength Training?
• Pilates or Boxing?
• Pilates or Cycling?
• Pilates or HIIT Class?

The list goes on and on! It is as if the person is trying to find the one best workout for them, the one that will give them the biggest bang for their efforts. Rather than giving them the answer they want (hey, I’m honest!) I tell them to try:

• Pilates AND Yoga
• Pilates AND Running
• Pilates AND Crossfit
• Pilates AND Strength Training
• Pilates AND Boxing
• Pilates AND Cycling
• Pilates AND HIIT Class

Why? Each type of fitness is going to benefit you in specific ways. Pilates alone won’t give you what running, or Crossfit or boxing gives you, but it will help you excel in those other activities.

4 Benefits of Adding Pilates to What You Are Already Doing

1. Breathe Deeper – In the Pilates method, we focus on our breathing constantly. Inhale through the nose, exhale out the mouth. Think of breathing deep into the lungs and expand the rib cage to the front, sides and back of our bodies. Deep breathing is a tool that helps us become more aware of our bodies and how we breathe; it also helps with mental focus and finding more movement. 

People new to Pilates sometimes overthink the breathing, but it will come with time, and soon will be more natural (after all, we breathe all day and night already!). In fact, you may notice that you have been holding your breath during certain movements or even throughout your day. By learning to breathe deeply, you become more aware of your breath in all areas of your life. This extends to other activities you do, as well. 

Controlled breathing will help you run longer, focus during your strength workout, and even help you relax. Now that is a win in my books. 

2. Stand Taller and Stronger –  You already know that a stronger core and better posture are key components to all fitness activities. Better posture will help you squat better, swing the kettlebell with more ease, and sit on your bike with improved posture. It is also key to avoiding injury in all of these activities. As you fatigue during a run or a bike ride, you will have the trunk stability to maintain your posture; in turn, this will help you breathe with more efficiency and keep you going for longer. 

Pilates is well known for helping build core strength and better posture. Simply laying down on the reformer and putting your feet on the foot bar can start you on the journey to becoming aware of your posture. In Pilates, you will learn to notice how your body is naturally aligned or imbalanced. Then, we take this knowledge to build strength in weak areas, and stretch tight areas. The core (your powerhouse) will certainly become stronger through practice, since it is the “corset” of muscles that supports your trunk, holds you up, and supports your structure as you sit and stand taller.  

3. Increased Control, Concentration, and Precision – Pilates teaches you how to control your movements through exercises requiring balance and precision. Rolling up like a ball, side bend, and the teaser (for example) all require control, concentration and precision. If you don’t have all three, you are likely to tip over or fall. 

When you move with intention and control, you are also using your full body. Muscles that you may never have even felt before will engage to help you execute the exercises. Then there is the physics of how to hold, align, bend, and flex your body so that these muscles will engage to help you out, without you having to think about which muscles you need to engage.  It will just happen.

This control will transfer to your other activities. For example, if you are boxing and simply swing your arms to punch, your arms and shoulders are going to fatigue quickly. But if you move from the ground, twist your foot, and move up through your trunk, your arm will be connected to that movement and you will have more power. By using your full body, movements will be easier and less tiring, plus you reduce the risk of injury from overuse. Increased muscle control, concentration, and precision add benefit to everything you do. 

4. Your Little Muscles Matter – Pilates pays attention to the little muscles, because they work hard, too! If someone asks, “What muscle is this exercise working” during a class, I answer, “All of them!” I will sometimes even do little drills to help clients realize how many muscles are working in a single exercise.  

We build strength in all of the little supporting and stabilizing muscles while developing awareness of the work those muscles do. With this awareness, you can better take notice of imbalances in other areas of your body, and then work to even them out. This can be as simple as pushing one foot down into the floor more than the other while standing.  

This Isn’t About Choosing Pilates or Yoga

I support all good movement. I’m a personal trainer, pilates teacher, runner, cyclist, new boxer, HIIT class attendee, and skier. So I most certainly am not telling you to choose Pilates or yoga or running or golf. I want you to go out and do what you love; and then do it better with Pilates.  

Not sure if Pilates is your jam? I am pretty darned good at helping you get stronger with functional strength training too (and I just might sneak in the odd pilates move).    

See me in person or join me online, and b.Healthy, b.Happy, b.Strong.