For the uninitiated, Pilates is a low-impact, full-body workout focussing on slow, controlled movements aligned with breathwork, with a central tenet of core stability. Developed in the early 20th century by German boxer Joseph Pilates, it originally evolved as a form of rehabilitation for injured soldiers, before becoming popular with New York’s elite dancers and celebrities, spawning a worldwide movement that’s still going from strength to strength over 100 years later.
Through focused exercises like leg lifts, planks, or movements on the Reformer, these muscles are activated and trained to support you in everyday movement.
This is in contrast to contracting and shortening the muscles. This lengthening work (known as ‘eccentric’ training) encourages long and strong muscles. This may help to strengthen without adding muscle bulk.
Without reducing overall body fat, it’s difficult to achieve a truly toned appearance, even with strong muscles.
Many people think toning is just about losing fat, but it’s really about muscle definition, endurance, and strength without significant bulk. Pilates achieves this by:
You might notice muscles you didn’t know existed becoming more visible, which can build confidence and motivation to continue your practice.”
Are you an athlete eager to regain your competitive edge? Or perhaps a weekend warrior looking to revive your active lifestyle? At Vitality At Home, our instructors blend classical Pilates with contemporary techniques to help you strengthen, lengthen, and stabilize your entire body.
With this in mind, we’ve taken a deep dive into the benefits of Pilates according to top instructors and taken a look at their favourite workouts that (among other wonderful things) can help boost tone.
It’s a real plus that she comes to our home or my office which saves lots of time and allows me to focus on doing the stretches and exercises the right way because I have supervision. Her weekly plans are clear, concise, and well thought out, which I think, is why my progress has been so remarkable. I’m three months post op and my flexibility is mostly returned and I have very little residual pain. I’m looking forward to continuing to do all of the things that I’ve done my whole life. I would encourage anyone to give Vitality at Home a try for your long term health!
In the world of medicine, physiology and sports gyms in muskegon michigan science there is actually no such term as ‘toned’ or ‘toning’. There is the concept of a muscle having a resting ‘tone’ but this has nothing to do with how you look or how strong you are.
Combined with a balanced lifestyle, Pilates is a smart, sustainable way to reshape how your body looks and feels.
Integrate the Exo Chair with the Reformer for an advanced-level workout to build strength and balance in a new, dynamic way.
Pilates is for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner, recovering from an injury, or looking for a low-impact alternative to traditional workouts, Pilates can be modified to fit any fitness level.
When you move with control, your muscles stay engaged for longer periods of time. This is what helps build endurance and tone. It also means you're using the right muscles for each movement rather than relying on momentum or overcompensating with stronger areas.