This is exactly what many Pilates style studios are doing today. It's about adding strength training (or several) to the classic method. This might mean replacing an airy, sun-filled studio with an atmospheric room and lighting, swapping spa-like music for Top 40 hits, and swapping cueing for stretching and light resistance for high reps and dumbbell exercises. there is.
If so, a more traditional Pilates class might be a good option (classic is A classic for a reason), or is this new hybrid Pilates-cardio workout the most efficient (and perhaps more fun) way to work up a sweat?
In fact, “it’s very confusing and fast-paced,” says Joy Puleo, an instructor and teacher trainer and director of education at Balanced Body. The growing interest in Pilates (named one of the biggest wellness trends of 2024) has led to a surge in new or expanding studios offering “this kind of mix of using reformers and still trying to maintain some of that.” This is the value of the methodology called Pilates,” says Puleo.
Here, experts share what the advantages of both methods are and how to get the most out of your Pilates training, no matter what vibe you're after.
Traditional Pilates Principles
Joseph Pilates created and introduced the method as a rehabilitation and corrective exercise practice in the 1920s, along with variations of the apparatus we know today as the Reformer. According to Puleo, the core principles are:
- quality of movement
- control
- degree
- whole body coordination
- focus on breathing
“This is an internal experience,” she says. “Slow and controlled. The entire experience is intended to focus on the mind and body.”
You will find that many of these core values are maintained in more modern classes as well. For example, you'll notice an emphasis on precision and control, as well as core or core power of the body, in any Solidcore class, according to Taylor Bogenschuetz, director of training and development for the brand. This country. Moreover, “Pilates and [Solidcore] There is a strong emphasis on the connection between body and mind,” adds Bogenschuetz.
How are modern hybrid Pilates classes different?
All hybrid Pilates studios and class formats vary, but they have some common elements.
They tend to be faster
“The biggest difference from classical Pilates is [our] Style is speed.” says Sheryll Estrellas, studio manager and instructor at VAURA, a new “workout-style” reformer studio in New York City inspired by Australia's club-like Vive Active. “We tend to move at a much faster pace to get the heart rate up and add a cardio element to the class.”
Weight is usually involved.
Solidcore “offers alternative exercises, intensities and speeds that provide more benefits than traditional weight training,” says Bogenschuetz. And weight training is one of the main things that separates these hybrid classes from classic classes. Both studios offer workouts that include dumbbells ranging from 3 to 8 pounds or 10 pounds.
Dumbbells not only “maximize time under tension,” or provide uninterrupted muscle engagement, but also provide a way to “amplify” the movement with added load rather than relying solely on the resistance of the reformer spring, explains Bogenschuetz.
“The additional load of dumbbells is incorporated, which increases the challenge to multiple muscle groups, strengthens joints, and improves bone density,” says Estrellas of VAURA classes.
There's a lot going on in a hybrid format.
The secret sauce to hybrid classes, proponents say, is a mental two-in-one workout that combines low-impact, core-focused Pilates with high-energy, loading exercises.
Conversely, those who enjoy traditional styles of Pilates (whether on the mat or on a reformer) may wonder whether these combination classes offer efficiency or take away from the mindfulness that is at the root of meditation.
So should you combine Pilates with strength training and cardio, or keep them separate?
The short answer is that it depends on your goals, preferences, mood, and other types of exercise, Puleo says. If you enjoy loud music and bigger crowds, these high-energy classes could be just the motivation you need. If you prefer a calm, quiet environment that helps you focus on your workout and help your body adapt, a more traditional, smaller class setting may be perfect.
Either way, “it’s not an external experience,” Puleo says. “In reality, what’s inside is much more important and a lot is determined by how the instructor creates the space.”
This mind-body connection and internal awareness is part of what Puleo attracts her Pilates clients to life.
“The essence of Pilates is to build movement skills and extend the longevity of your movements over time. [to] Help me do everything better,” she says. “[It’s] It's not just an exercise routine, it's a movement practice and awareness practice. So my fear is that when we have a class that answers the call to ‘feel the burn,’ if that’s all we do, will customers just pass on it?”
You should also be careful about overtraining. Consider balancing full-body, high-intensity, load-bearing classes with adequate rest, or consider swapping some of these hybrid classes for more restorative but still challenging traditional Pilates reformers, Puleo says.
If you're new to Pilates but enjoy strength training (or vice versa), you should apply the same balanced approach. For example, if you're already lifting weights three times a week, consider swapping one of those sessions for a Pilates session.
“Good Weekly Strength Training [workout] It has to be somewhere [in your routine]. “It’s very important to do some strength training, especially as you get older,” she says. “Do I have to take one class? I don't think so have Being one in class. “Once you have a clearer idea of the differences between what Pilates offers and what strength training offers, it is much easier to understand their integration.”
If you're still not sure what type of Pilates class is right for you, choose what you like. Moving your body in a way that's right for you and making rest a priority can get you on the right track.