Pilates not a good calorie burner?

Izanami66

Hello everyone! I just joined today, and I love it so far. The only thing I've found that I questioned was in the exercise section. I looked up how many calories I would burn doing 20 minutes of various activities and found that 20 of ping pong burnt significantly more calories than 20 minutes of Pilates!! How can that be right? Any thoughts. (I know 20 minutes isn't long for a workout, but I was just shocked that the site said a 135 lb. person would only burn around 50 calories doing Pilates but would burn 80+ playing ping pong!!)

it_be_asin

Of course, it depends upon the sort of Pilates you do, but you don't build up much a sweat in Pilates, but you can build up a bit of a sweat if you take your ping pong seriously. The benefit of Pilates is core strength, not calorie burning. But don't stop doing pilates because you don't burn a lot of calories - the benefits to your posture and your back that Pilates brings are definitely worth it!

melaniecheeks

Yeah, that wouldnt surprise me at all. Pilates doesn't involve much moving around does it? So its not primarily a calorie burner.

Jo2926

I did a Pilates workout this evening and wore my heart rate monitor. My HR hardly got above 90 BPM the whole time and I burnt 200 calories - but my muscles are feeling it!

Apparently it also helps posture, so you stand up straighter and look thiner!

Izanami66

I have the 10 minute solution rapid results Pilates video, and melaniecheeks is right that it's not aerobic (no jumping around), but after even just 2 sessions (20 min), I'm hot, out of breath, and fairly sweaty. Granted I'm sure it depends on the section(s) you choose to do. For example "total body blast," which is an intense full body workout, would burn more than "slim and sleek stretch." I was just shocked that it only said 50 calories when afterwards I feel like I've burned significantly more. I suppose it's true, as it_be_asin pointed out, that it would depend on how much effort you put in. If you competitively play ping pong, I can definitely see it burning some serious calories. 200 calories sounds pretty good, Jodye2926! I guess it was more the shock of the contrast that compelled me to post. Thanks for all your responses and input. Even if it's not a super high calorie burner, it is still great for toning, core strength, and posture, as many of you said. I suppose I can get most of my calorie burning from my major hobby, which I do at least three times a week: bellydancing! Good luck to you all, and congrats for your progress to date!

melaniecheeks

Absolutely! Don't give up your pilates just cos it doesn't zip through calories - it has soooo many other benefits!

Another factor is your weight - you say you're 135lbs? That's pretty light, and the amount of calories you burn during exercise does of course depend on how many pounds you are making do that work.

Best wishes on your fitness journey!

Izanami66

You too, and thanks!!