Does Pilates Help You Lose Weight?

Will Doing Pilates Help You Lose Weight?

One day, one of our trainees asked a question that almost stumped me... "Will Pilates Help You Lose Weight?"  I almost responded with "sure, so will taking the Friday night ice cream binge off your schedule!"  But thankfully I didn't, or else I probably wouldn't have that client anymore.  So let's break down the question a little bit more...  Pilates and Weight Loss - GO! 

Will Pilates help with weight loss?  A simple answer to this commonly asked question is: YES, Pilates WILL help you lose weight!  A study was done in 2017 on 37 overweight ladies aged between 30-50 years of age that had been attending Pilates classes for the past 60 days.  The Pilates classes weren't from just any old Pilates studio, instead it was with a certified Pilates instructor that is used to working with overweight and obese women.  That 60 days went by quick for many of those ladies as they started to see their bodies change, pants fit looser, BMI lowered and many described their waist, hips and abdomen as "toned". Pilates is an interesting exercise routine because it uses all body weight exercises along with the R​eformer and the Pilates Chair, pieces of Pilates-specific equipment. 

The smart thing to do when you want to lose weight, fit in those college jeans or just drop a couple pounds is to see a certified instructor.  Whether you're meeting a certified Pilates instructor for your first session at their studio or you're getting a fitness assessment done by a certified personal trainer - you want to make sure you're seeing a certified coach.  Weight loss happens with consistent exercise over a long period of time and half of it isn't actually the exercises you do - it's the lifestyle you live.  A coach can truly help you make better life decisions that will lead you to a healthier lifestyle and a slimmer waist.  

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Pilates Exercises for Weight Loss

Here's Personal Training CT's guide to the Top 10 Pilates Exercises for Losing Weight!

1. Pilates Push Up (check out the video here)
2. Supine arm work on Pilates Reformer
3. Side-lying Leg Lift
4. Leg pull front and back
5. Lunges on Pilates Chair
6. Feet in straps on Reformer
7. The Pilates Saw (my personal favorite Pilates weight loss exercise)
8. Hip Circles (my personal least favorite Pilates move, it's just a little weird)
9. Snake on Pilates Reformer
10. Swan on Pilates Chair

Pilates & Weight Loss - Summary

In summary, Pilates is an excellent way to lose weight.  It's safe, fun and has many added benefits. If you don't want to go to a class, you can find some simple moves on YouTube and grab yourself a Yoga Mat to get started. If you still want to stay home as you get better, you can try a Pilates Home Workout kit as well. Band resistance is a great way to exercise and we have found these home workout kits super fun and easy. But still, whichever way you choose to start losing weight...  start it now.  Today, stop reading this article and take a walk, power walk, regular walk, doesn't matter - you just need to start.  That's half the battle.  Until next time!