What is the Difference Between Pilates and Weight Training?
Pilates focuses on movements of the limbs as secondary to stabilizing the spine, shoulder girdle, and pelvic girdle. Pilates also focuses on the balance of muscles on both sides of the body. Joseph Pilates was often quoted saying We are only as young as our spine and all that supports it are strong and supple. Pilates also focuses on active range of motion. In the Pilates system, focus is placed on increasing ones flexibility with strength. Great flexibility doesnt necessarily mean we have strength in that particular position. Being inflexible can be a sign of an imbalance of strength in the muscles surrounding the joint which can restrict motion. The ultimate goal is to have improved range of motion in our joints with control in that position hence the original name of the Pilates method Contrology.
Pilates strengthens AND stretches muscles, unlike weight training, and improves body posture and awareness. Pilates typically incorporates more muscles in one exercise than in weight training because it is three-dimensional—exercises can be performed using all movement planes. Pilates’ emphasis is on rebalancing muscles around the joints, and balancing strength with flexibility. It also focuses on concentric-eccentric contraction for injury prevention and corrects over-training and muscle imbalance that leads to injury.
