Pilates and yoga are both low-impact exercise methods that improve strength, flexibility, and overall well-being. But what’s the difference between the two, and which one is right for you?
Nowadays, there is no shortage of low-impact workoutstyles to choose from to enhance your wellness regime. Pilates, yoga, yogilates, piyo, resistance pilates, mat pilates, reformer pilates, vinyasa yoga, hatha yoga, yin yoga…and the list goes on!
With different variations of these workouts available in studios, commercial gyms, online studios, youtube classes, and more—there truly is something for everyone.
Such a wide variety of options can also be confusing to some, especially to beginners. So, how do you know which is right for you…and what exactly is the difference between Pilates and Yoga?
Below, we explore the difference between these two powerhouse low-impact workouts, what they are best used for, and how Corefirst can help improve your practice in both:
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a low impact exercise method that builds lean muscle mass, increases flexibility and mobility, reduces stress levels, and helps in injury recovery. It was developed in the early 20th century by German physical trainer, Joseph Pilates, and was utilized at the end of WWI to help rehabilitate injured soldiers.
Pilates focuses on controlled movements that require the use of stabilizing muscles in your core “powerhouse” muscle group which consists of the abdominis, pelvic floor, diaphragm, and multifidus.
Essentially, one of the most primary goals of Pilates is core strengthening. As a result, the benefits of a regular pilates practice can include the following:
increased strength & muscle mass
increased endurance
better balance
lessened joint pain
eased back pain
improvement of pelvic floor functioning
There are different forms of Pilates practices throughout the world today, with the two most popular being “mat” and “reformer” Pilates. Much like it sounds, mat Pilates is practiced on a mat without the use of any equipment, while reformer Pilates is practiced on a “reformer” machine designed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900’s.
Corefirst is trailblazing a third form of Pilates that combines both of these methods, called Resistance Pilates, in which you can achieve the results of reformer Pilates without absorbing the cost of purchasing an expensive reformer machine. The Corefirst systems add increased resistance that fires up core muscles more than simple mat pilates, all while still being able to workout in your own home without a reformer machine.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient practice with Eastern roots, and (similarly to Pilates) is also highly focused on the mind-body connection. Mindfulness and deep breathing are key to all different forms of yoga, but yoga has less of a focus on core strengthening and stabilization than in Pilates.
There are many different forms of yoga practices. Yin yoga, for example, focuses on holding deep stretching poses while inhaling slowly for up to 2 minutes per pose, while a hot Vinyasa yoga class might guide you through a more quick-paced “flow” of different poses without holding any for too long and instead focusing on breathing through each transition. Most yoga classes, however, all center around various poses and moving through a pattern of sequences.
The benefits of yoga have been studied greatly over the years, and studies have shown the practice to help with the following conditions:
anxiety & depression
respiratory conditions
high blood pressure
flexibility
back pain
chronic pain
How to use Corefirst in both Pilates and Yoga:
Once you decide whether Pilates or Yoga is best for your own needs (maybe it’s both!) you have so many options when it comes to beginning your journey towards your new fitness regime.
Maybe you want to practice Pilates a few times a week to increase your muscle mass, tighten your core, and keep your bones strong and healthy. And perhaps you want to also focus on flexibility and deep breathing by incorporating a yoga practice a couple days a week as well. Sounds like a great plan!
Whatever your unique goal is with Pilates or Yoga, Corefirst can help to not only support your practice, but to enhance your results as well.
Corefirst bands are designed to add increased resistance to turn up the intensity of your Pilates practice, or adversely, they could add a gentle “pull” if you need help getting into a yoga pose to increase your flexibility over time.
In addition to a wide range of systems at different difficulty levels to suit your unique fitness level, Corefirst also has a platform full of incredible workout classes to help you reach your goals. Programs like traditional Pilates, Stretch, Strength, and Burn can help you increase both strength and flexibility—all taught by top-rate professional trainers.
So, what are you waiting for? Get started with your Corefirst Pilates journey today!
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