Does Pilates Count As Weight Training? Differences Between The Two! -

Pilates and weight training are both effective exercises to improve overall health, but they have some key differences. Pilates does not count as weight training because it does not incorporate the free lifting of weights as needed in weight training.

What Is Pilates?

Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s. Originally used as a way to rehabilitate injured dancers and athletes, it has since transformed to now suit anyone. Pilates incorporates mind-body training to gain strength, improve posture, and enhance focus.

Pilates exercises focus on core muscles, improving flexibility and general well-being. It is a sister workout to yoga; however, Pilates focuses more on muscle strengthening and relaxing tense muscles.

Some common Pilates exercises include:

Leg lifts
Breathing
Toe taps
Planks
Sidekicks
Bird-dogs

This exercise focuses on precision as your body moves through a particular range of motion. Breathing patterns are woven into the exercises, accentuating the need to be focused.

The typical equipment for Pilates includes a Pilates mat, resistance bands, Pilates rings, a foam roller, a Pilates chair, and a Pilates reformer, among others. Different Pilates apparatus uses external resistance, usually incorporating push and pull movements to workout muscles.

Related: Can Pilates Help My Running?

What Is Weight Training?

Weight training is what it sounds like – using weights to train and exercise your muscles. This type of exercise has been around for more than 2,000 years more than Pilates, stemming from ancient Greek and Chinese civilizations.

Weight training depends highly on proper technique to exert force. As you exert this force, you stress your muscles, causing microtears. These tears cause soreness after your workouts, and they slowly heal to form a stronger version of that same muscle.

The weights used are usually barbells, dumbbells, or equivalent weight machines.

Some typical weight training exercises include:

Squats
Bicep arm curls (with dumbbells)
Bench press
Deadlifts
Rows
Pull-ups and dips

As time goes on, the weight of your equipment should increase. Weight training is great for someone who wants to build muscle while losing fat, gaining strength during the process.

Similarities Between Pilates and Weight Training

Both Pilates and weight training are workouts that focus on working your muscles. They do this through distinct forms of external resistance, making you push and pull against things like bands, medicine balls, or weights. They are both anaerobic, which means they use short bursts of energy or movement while burning carbs for energy.

Pilates and weight training both increase muscle strength, reduce possible injuries due to muscle imbalances, and potentially improve heart health. As you complete these exercises, you are stretching your muscles and getting them used to different ranges of motion.

Both exercises also require proper form. If completing a Pilates move or lifting weights with improper form, you risk serious injury that could halt your workouts altogether. As you increase in strength, you can increase the resistance via the equipment for both forms of exercise.

Differences Between Pilates and Weight Training

Pilates and weight training are more different than they are similar. Pilates places a high value on focus, flexibility, posture, and precise muscle movements. It accomplishes this through springs and Pilates’ apparatus made specifically for this form of exercise. Pilates will rarely use weights, which are the center of weight training.

These types of movements are best for strengthening muscles, relieving tension, and improving the connection between the body and the mind.

Weight training, on the other hand, is generally more intense than Pilates. It includes more repetitions than Pilates to accelerate muscle stress. Generally speaking, weight training may provide more weight-loss benefits than Pilates – especially when it comes to burning fat and building muscle, which increases metabolic rate.

Pros and Cons of Pilates

As with any sport, Pilates has its upsides and downfalls.

Pros:

Many Pilates exercises can be done with no equipment
It is a low-impact sport that is easy on joints and muscles
Increased flexibility
Strengthens your core
Improves posture, balance, and flexibility

Cons:

Not intense enough to burn sufficient calories to lose fat
You should receive professional guidance when starting Pilates
Will strengthen muscles, but not define them

Pros and Cons of Weight Training

Now let’s compare the ups and downs of weight training.

Pros:

A fast increase in muscle mass
Improves heart health
Increases metabolism
Boosts bone health

Cons:

You need weights/equipment
Best when paired with other workouts

Which Is Better?

Both Pilates and weight training have many benefits. At the end of the day, the choice depends on what you’re looking to get out of your workouts, your health, and your available equipment.

Are you looking for answers to commonly asked weight lifting questions? Get your questions answered by a certified personal trainer – Weight Lifting 101 (certified personal trainer approved)!

If you’re looking to purely work on gaining muscle and strength, you may focus on weight training. For those who want a bit more variety with increased flexibility, better focus, and improved posture, Pilates seems like the go-to. Luckily, most gyms offer Pilates classes, which means you could easily incorporate both exercises into your workout routine.

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Coach Scott's Credentials:

Published Author
RRCA Certified Running Coach (Level 2)
RRCA Certified Youth Running Coach
NASM CPT (Certified Personal Trainer).
NASM CNC (Certified Nutrition Coach)
NASM WLS (Weight Loss Specialist)
ACE SFC (Stretching and Flexibility Coach)
ACE GFI (Group Fitness Instructor)

He has published over 20 books including, Beginner's Guide to Half Marathons: A Simple Step-By-Step Solution to Get You to the Finish Line in 12 Weeks! (Beginner To Finisher Book 3), which has become an Amazon International #1 bestseller. Scott specializes in helping new runners become injury-free race finishers. He recently completed his 22nd half marathon race.

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