Pilates Burn

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susyw_2003
susyw_2003 Posts: 70
in Fitness and Exercise
Estimated calories burnt per hour? What do you reckon?

Im currently using a beginners routine to get me used to Pilates, but im finding it hard to estimate the amount im genuinely burning - its so different to my other high intensity circuit training sessions that it feels like im not doing anything at all... just a massive stretching cool down.

The Pilates on MFP shows 120 calories burn for a 40 min session - is this accurate? My HRM is showing more but is there anyone who is experienced within Pilates to be able to give a good guess for me? Im 118 lbs and 5"3 if that helps.

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  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
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    Did it involve lying in the floor for 40mins?
  • susyw_2003
    susyw_2003 Posts: 70
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    obviously not
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
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    I've read both of Pilate's books, and it should have.

    Pilates means different thinks to different people, so I'd have to know more to guess, but you are quite small, and it should've at least been very low intensity.
  • alane15
    alane15 Posts: 121 Member
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    I don't know the answer but I've wondered the exact same thing about yoga. Sometimes it feels like I'm not doing anything and my HRM will have calculated a 200 calorie burn...maybe we'll get an answer
  • BritishVegGirl
    BritishVegGirl Posts: 17 Member
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    Its not cardio so your HRM will not be accurate. You basically do just bend and stretch so while yes you're burning calories its nowhere near the calories that you will have seen from other exercises! I am a massive fan of yoga but have done pilates previously.
  • susyw_2003
    susyw_2003 Posts: 70
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    It was 20 minutes standing work and then 20 mins floor work.. the standing work was quite hard, the floor work was more stretching and really ab work if im honest. I was a bit taken back that 40 minutes only burnt 120 cals according to MFP
  • fullofhope76
    fullofhope76 Posts: 92
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    This is why I seldom eat back my exercise calories. You never know what to believe!
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
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    As another said, it's not going to be accurate, and you'll also have the calories you would've burnt anyway on there. Just go for the smaller option, it should be more accurate, and time will tell on the scale with your fitness as long as you stay consistent.
  • BritishVegGirl
    BritishVegGirl Posts: 17 Member
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    Not saying its not hard advance pilates is a killer but it still isnt cardio so you'll never get a great burn from such work, but its great for toning so its still worth doing.
  • susyw_2003
    susyw_2003 Posts: 70
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    Thanks guys for the advice!

    I might just do a bit of circuit training as normal but do Pilates as more of a toning exercise instead
  • BritishVegGirl
    BritishVegGirl Posts: 17 Member
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    Sounds like a good plan :-)

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