Pilates v/s weight training: Which one is for you?

You are constantly trying to better yourself and note that it is showing! Today to up your fitness game more, we will understand how weight training and pilates could help us.

Weight Training

Weight training is a type of workout that helps you build strength and muscles by using resistance like weights or machines against your body to improve your endurance. It is a versatile form of exercise that targets specific muscle groups and improves bone density. Some of the benefits of weight training are:

• Increase muscle mass
• Improve metabolism
• Increase strength
• Improve endurance
• Help lose weight by building muscles
• Improve joint and bone health.

Doing Weight Training The Right Way

Here are a few exercises you can include in your weight training:

• Upper Body: Biceps curls, bench press
• Lower body: Goblet squats, lunges with ankle weights, leg raise
• Full body: Deadlifts, kettlebell swings

Read Also: Women and Weight Training: Going Beyond Just Looking Toned

Pilates

Pilates are a form of workout that focuses on core strength, flexibility and posture. This is via controlled movements. it seems like a low-impact exercise but it isn’t. While it can be learnt and adapted by beginners very easily, the results it yields are miraculous especially if yu are trying to lose weight.

Here is why you must include pilates workouts:

• It helps strengthen the core
• Improves your posture
• Reduces stress
• It helps you stay mindful
• Provides relief from joint ailments
• Helps lose weight
• Tones your body

Pilates Workouts at Home

• Warm-up: Cat and cow stretch, Pelvic curls, Leg raise circles
• Core: The hundred, roll-ups
• Lower body: Water hydrant, donkey kicks, Side legs lifts, bridge poses
• Flexibility: Spine stretch, seated twists
• Cool-down: Child’s pose, hamstring stretch

Can We Do Pilates at Home?

Absolutely! Pilates more often than not do not require machines. You could increase the difficulty level by adding resistances like a resistance band, weights or a sliding carriage but that is not always the compulsion.

Pilates vs Weight Training

Both pilates and weight training are important to build lean body with healthy muscles. Here is how they are different:

Pilates	Weight Training
Helps get toned and lean body	Helps build muscles faster
Improves flexibility	Improves physical strength for functional benefits
Increase core strength	Increase endurance

Here is how you could combine the two to make a fuller workout plan.

• Monday: Weight training (upper body).
• Tuesday: Pilates (core focus).
• Wednesday: Rest or light cardio.
• Thursday: Weight training (lower body).
• Friday: Pilates (flexibility and balance).
• Saturday: Full-body strength session.
• Sunday: Rest or active recovery.

Takeaway

Whichever you choose, make sure you understand its strengths. To help you get better, stay hydrated by carrying around your sipper or have some pre-workout supplements in your shaker bottle when you hit the gym. Wear comfy workout wears like joggers to make sure you do not feel restricted.

While Pilates help you get leaner, weight lifting helps you get buffed. You could want both together or simultaneously but making sure they both have a place in your workout routine could give you results quicker.

Sources:

https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/wellness/story/pilates-vs-weight-training-which-one-helps-you-lose-weight-faster-2646112-2024-12-07