Pilates: Do we do it because it’s trending on TikTok, or because it’s actually a good workout? The truth is, most quick, at-home routines on social media lead many women to strive for something they will never achieve with that method. While Pilates can be a good choice, it won’t give you the increased muscle strength you desire, and it should instead be one of a variety of workouts you do.
Pilates dates back to World War 1, when Joseph Pilates used bed springs from his hospital bed to create resistance exercises when there were no other workout materials.
Clearly, times have changed since then. Matching workout sets, aesthetic machines and come-along-with-me videos are pleasing to the eye, but sometimes they feel more about looks than the actual workout.
And I like Pilates! I’ll take a class or watch a video at home every once in a while, but it’s not the only thing I’ll do. Lifting, running, yoga and other types of movement are all good for you. If a cute video on Instagram is what gets you off the couch and into the gym, then I’m all for it. However, I think most people do it more for the aesthetic rather than the physical benefits.
Additionally, not all Pilates workouts are the same. Pilates generally consists of slow, controlled movements where you focus on the mind-to-muscle connection. Some people even say it feels like intensified yoga. However, many different factors come into play.
Are you using weights or not? Are you doing a heated class? Who is your instructor? Is it full-body or only targeting a specific part of the body? Is it a YouTube video at home? A wide variety of elements can make one workout vastly different from the next.
One idea that frustrates me is that people want to LOOK like the girls that go to Pilates. Saying things like, “I want to look ‘toned’,” or, “I want ‘Pilates arms.’”
Girls, I’m about to give you some groundbreaking news. That “toned” look you want is straight muscle. The reason their arms look “toned” is because they increase muscle firmness under the tissue, reducing body fat and ultimately increasing the muscle size underneath. Hot or weighted Pilates classes will put you on that track, but the at-home, 10-minute, no-weight YouTube workouts won’t give you your desired look.
Additionally, if you aren’t doing a heated class, you don’t even really get that sweaty. Overheated and bothered, yes, but you won’t have the super sweaty satisfaction after a good workout that most of us crave.
It depends on where you go, but if you choose a heated Pilates class at a studio, the prices can be outrageous! For HOTWORX or Club Pilates, you have to buy a monthly membership, which ranges from $59 to $397 a month, depending on how many classes you attend each week.
There are local affordable options, though — a perfect way to try Pilates and have fun with friends if you’re new. Little Apple Pilates offers drop-in classes for as low as $18. If you want to try a class for free, K-State offers Pilates classes for students at the rec. It’s a no-weights class with a certified instructor where you can learn and see what the correct form looks like.
It’s too easy to get lost in the false reality of Instagram. Implementing a variety of workouts into your routine will help strengthen different muscles, reduce strain on your joints and prevent boredom. Overall, Pilates is good for your brain and body, and not a bad workout choice. Just make note that the “Pilates arms” you’re searching for come from strength training outside of the classroom.
