Pilates zeroes in on your deepest abdominal muscles and the muscles along the spine with focused core conditioning. These evidence-based exercises build internal corset strength that traditional crunches simply cannot replicate.
Our Pilates sessions incorporate mat work and specialized equipment like Reformers, Chairs, and Barrels. The exercises blend strengthening and stretching with a focus on core engagement, proper alignment, coordinated breathing, and smooth transitions between movements. Sessions are fully personalized for your skill level and goals.
Amy M. I needed somewhere to start because it's been a while since I've exercised. Always have loved pilates. This program is perfect for me.
But to focus solely on the body-toning benefits of Pilates is to overlook the plethora of other mental and physical benefits Pilates brings – not to mention the fact that when it comes to body composition, we’re looking at a complex interplay of genetics, lifestyle, diet and more, and no amount of downward dog will ever negate the impact of all of these – and nor should we expect it to. After all, a toned body, albeit a nice side effect, isn't our only
Many people think toning is just about losing fat, but it’s really about muscle definition, endurance, and strength without significant bulk. Pilates achieves this by:
Exercises like the plank and teaser force muscles to contract without movement, which builds strength and definition.
Whilst Pilates isn’t generally considered strength training, we do use resistance, particularly when using Pilates equipment. When you contract your muscles against resistance, your muscles communicate with your brain and vice versa.
Take note though – not all fat is house of b pilates bad. We need body fat for vital biological processes and to provide a protective layer around our most precious organs. Women naturally have more body fat than men. A healthy percentage of body fat is not less than 14% for women and not less than 10% for men.
Pilates is effective for toning muscles and improving overall body strength. While it primarily focuses on building lean muscle mass and enhancing posture, incorporating Pilates into a regular exercise routine can contribute to weight loss when combined with a balanced diet and cardiovascular activities.
Tech neck, anyone? Yep – us too. Hours spent working on laptops and then evenings spent scrolling mindlessly on social media are wreaking havoc on our neck and back health, leading to postural issues such as neck humps and lower back pain.
Both Reformer and mat Pilates can support toning, but they do so in slightly different ways depending on how they're practiced and what your goals are.
If your goal is to build significant muscle mass and strength, weightlifting is more effective. Resistance training with heavier weights leads to muscle hypertrophy, which increases size and power.
At Vitality At Home in Grand Rapids, our Pilates program welcomes adults hoping to regain or improve their active lifestyle after injury or hiatus. We offer personalized attention from certified instructors in a supportive, upscale environment conducive to holistic healing.
GRIT is different because our founder is a male, a former college athlete, and a former professional athlete personal trainer. GRIT is a masculine space, and our community comes here to handle business. We don't care about your size, knowledge, or outfit.