Is Pilates Strength Training or Stretching?

This past week I talked to three different people who needed to know what I do for a career. All of them pronounced Pilates “Pea-lots”, leading me to assume they aren’t sure what it really is. Is Pilates strength training? Stretching? A practice like yoga? I’m very aware that unless you do Pilates, it’s hard to grasp what it really is. The truth is that Pilates is a lot of different things, depending on your experience level and what you want to get out of it. 

The Many Hats of Pilates

Pilates is in a category of its own, which makes it difficult to describe. Even with more than a decade of experience in Pilates, I can find it hard to define. It could be called a workout, therapeutic exercise, discipline, or practice. And yes, there are elements in Pilates of strength training, stretching, mobility, and flexibility. It’s really a combination of all of those things! 

Think of Pilates as dance. Ballet, tap, hip hop, and Highland dancing are very different yet have similar aspects. You’ll also experience dance differently depending on the studio you go to. A ballet-only studio will be different than a mixed-genre studio, and private lessons will be more personal than a large beginner’s class. 

Find the Right Pilates Experience for You

If Pilates can be learned or practiced in different ways, how do you choose the style for you? I’d suggest starting with why you want to do Pilates and going from there. Search the studios near you, and see what feels like a good fit.

Often, a therapeutic Pilates studio is connected with (or in) a health and wellness clinic (physiotherapy, massage, chiropractor). Their sessions would likely be private 1:1. Then there are larger studios with rows of reformers or a large, open space for groups of people. When I first started teaching mat classes at the gym, the classes were large. I’d never know how many people would show up or what their level would be, and I had to provide a safe class for everyone. These were usually kept at a more introductory level, with suggestions for progressions for the more experienced people. 

The third type of Pilates studio you may find are those like b.Pilates & Fitness. We have small group classes and also private/semi-private appointments available. 

How to Get Started

If you are new to Pilates, you may find that some studios offer a tour or free trial class; some gyms with Pilates classes may offer a free trial week. Others offer an Introduction to Pilates series, like we do here. It’s three sessions to help you learn the many exercises, movements, and how to use the equipment. It can be very overwhelming to just pop into a class and have no idea what anyone is doing around you. 

The introduction gives you a base and gets you familiar with the fundamentals. More importantly, it helps us get to know each other. It’s important for me to know you and why you are doing Pilates because that connection helps me to help you. 

Most of my clients start out doing Pilates because something isn’t right. They have pain, are recovering from (or preparing for) surgery, suffer from a chronic condition, or notice that their mobility, flexibility, or balance is limiting the other activities that they do. All of them want to improve how they are feeling. It can take creativity when there is an injury we are working with, but it feels great for us both when they can move and feel better. 

I also love working with active adults who already have a solid base of fitness. For them, like me, being active is part of their life! I’ve always had fitness hobbies and it’s normal for me to do several active things each day. I love the feeling of being out of breath and having sore muscles, but I don’t love being in pain. Pilates helps reduce pain because it moves your body in all the ways it’s meant to while strengthening and stretching and mobilizing it. 

The Definition of Pilates

So is Pilates strength training or stretching? It’s both. And so much more. It’s here for you to help you recover from injury, reduce pain, get your balance back, make you stronger, and keep your joints moving well. If I had to sum Pilates up into one short sentence, I’d say that Pilates keeps your body moving well so you can enjoy all the things you love to do. 
Are you ready to get started with Pilates? Book your Introduction to Pilates here. I can’t wait to meet you.