Can Pilates Replace Strength Training?

rosestring
rosestring Posts: 225 Member
edited November 10 in Fitness and Exercise
So, we all know the endless benefits of strength training.

However, I feel SO much more of a burn both on the day and the day after of doing Pilates. It's also much more fun and challenging for me. I don't know; I just enjoy it so much more. The only exercises that I can really feel my muscles working are with Pilates. Not to mention, I have trouble working my thighs/glutes due to joint issues with most typical squats/lunges; Pilates has always been very easy on my joints.

Because of this, I would really rather just do the following four times per week (NOT including cardio!):
- Pilates for 30-45 minutes.
- Strength training for only about 15-20 minutes (arms/chest/shoulders, mainly).

Does this seem like an okay workout routine for the toning up part alone? I ask because I've heard Pilates can't replace ST, but that doesn't make sense to me due to what I mentioned earlier about feeling more with Pilates.

Replies

  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    edited January 2015
    rosestring wrote: »
    However, I feel SO much more of a burn both on the day and the day after of doing Pilates.

    Here's the deal: Pilates produces more of a burn because the contractions are held for a long time, preventing the acid that's produced from flushing out of the muscles, like they would during conventional strength training, where there's a relaxation phase. So the acid builds up, which produces pain. Also, holding contractions like in pilates tend to produce more soreness the next day, for reasons not completely understood. Soreness & burning are completely irrelevant to how well an exercise changes body composition. Conventional lifting tends to improve body composition more than pilates, since a) the calories burned are higher, and b) it retains muscle mass better, so your metabolism stays higher.

    If you don't enjoy lifting, keep searching for lifts that you enjoy. There are literally hundreds of exercises out there, on Youtube, DVDs, women's fitness magazines, apps, etc. Maybe work with physical therapist or personal trainer to find lower body exercises that you can do?
  • justcat206
    justcat206 Posts: 716 Member
    Have you tried things like hip thrusts and glute bridges? Deadlifts? Even the hip abductor and leg press machines. I have a lot of hip/knee pain doing traditional squats and lunges, but all those other moves feel fine.
  • amymrls
    amymrls Posts: 1,673 Member
    Honestly it depends on the look you are going for if you are going for a strong sleek look then Pilates or yoga is fine, If you want more shape in your muscles you need to strength train.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • kyta32
    kyta32 Posts: 670 Member
    Pilates improves flexibility and everyday functionality, as well as building strength and protecting/building lean mass. Injuries are rare with pilates, and pilates can be used to support recovery from injuries. While it may not challenge your V02 max, it can also raise your heartbeat, and burn calories. And it happens in a fun, generally social environment.

    If you want to build major strength (i.e. be able to bench 350) or big muscles, pilates won't do it for you. The reps are too high for volume, and the resistance too low to get olympics-style strength. You can also build stronger bones through other activitities.

    It may not be the most efficient way to build strength or muscles, but it does do both. Also, I've found the gains I've gotten from following blogilates to be very motivating (new shoulder muscles, getting further through the workouts successfully, working in a sideplank without falling down, flexibility, agility, balance, etc.)

    The best workout program is the one you can stick to. If you find that you are constantly thinking about how exhausted you are, and dragging yourself from machine to dumbells in weight training, and engaged and focused, and enjoying the music and company in pilates, there is no reason to stop doing pilates as part of your routine. If you are building strength or volume for a competition, there are more effective ways to do it, and you may want to look at what is keeping you from enjoying the gains from weightlifting. If you are getting sore, bored, or burned out, you may just need to change up your routine, update your ipod playlist, or make sure you are getting the right nutrition for your workout.

    Good work so far, and good luck :)
  • Wronkletoad
    Wronkletoad Posts: 368 Member
    no.

    but if your goals fit with more of one approach versus another, go for it. just be honest with the goals. and after newbie gains go away without dedicated progressive resistance strength training...
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    No..

    but if you prefer pilates over strength training then by all means do what you like. Just don't expect to get the same benefits from pilates and you would from lifting.

    and burn does not equal gains/progress etc...
  • rosestring
    rosestring Posts: 225 Member
    Alright, well thank you to the posters who actually provided a REAL explanation. I have gotten what I was searching for.

    Thanks!
  • shor0814
    shor0814 Posts: 559 Member
    You might try both. I used pilates to help improve my flexibility and mobility and improved my lifting at the same time. They can't replace each other but they can compliment each other.
  • lemon629
    lemon629 Posts: 501 Member
    I do Pilates on Pilates equipment and noticed big improvements in strength and functionality, much more so than I did with traditional strength training. I can now do chaturanga dandasana, and am much stronger in handstand and some of the other yoga poses. Plus overall my form has improved, and knee pain has reduced. So I encourage you to take equipment classes. They're more expensive than mat classes, but more effective, and you can increase resistance as you get stronger. You'd have to get incredibly strong to exceed the resistance capabilities of the equipment.
  • rachaelsweeney2013
    rachaelsweeney2013 Posts: 2
    No !
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    rosestring wrote: »
    I ask because I've heard Pilates can't replace ST, but that doesn't make sense to me due to what I mentioned earlier about feeling more with Pilates.
    Nope, different things.

    because science.
  • deviboy1592
    deviboy1592 Posts: 989 Member
    rosestring wrote: »
    So, we all know the endless benefits of strength training.

    However, I feel SO much more of a burn both on the day and the day after of doing Pilates. It's also much more fun and challenging for me. I don't know; I just enjoy it so much more. The only exercises that I can really feel my muscles working are with Pilates. Not to mention, I have trouble working my thighs/glutes due to joint issues with most typical squats/lunges; Pilates has always been very easy on my joints.

    Because of this, I would really rather just do the following four times per week (NOT including cardio!):
    - Pilates for 30-45 minutes.
    - Strength training for only about 15-20 minutes (arms/chest/shoulders, mainly).

    Does this seem like an okay workout routine for the toning up part alone? I ask because I've heard Pilates can't replace ST, but that doesn't make sense to me due to what I mentioned earlier about feeling more with Pilates.

    Do what feels best for you, if your not getting the results you want, you can always switch it up. Give it some time.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories