{"id":50749,"date":"2023-04-26T11:50:08","date_gmt":"2023-04-26T11:50:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=50749"},"modified":"2025-01-22T20:36:21","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T20:36:21","slug":"does-pilates-build-muscle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Pilates Build Muscle? The Facts And 3 Ways It Can Work"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#The_Truth_About_Pilates_And_Muscle-Building\" >The Truth About Pilates And Muscle-Building<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Will_Pilates_Build_Muscle_Mass\" >Will Pilates Build Muscle Mass?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Will_Pilates_Make_You_Gain_Muscle_Weight\" >Will Pilates Make You Gain Muscle Weight?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Why_Would_You_Use_Pilates_If_Not_For_Muscle_Growth\" >Why Would You Use Pilates If Not For Muscle Growth?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Pilates_Improves_Mental_Health_And_Reduces_Pain_Perception\" >Pilates Improves Mental Health And Reduces Pain Perception<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Pilates_To_Build_Muscle_Tone\" >Pilates To Build Muscle Tone<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Pilates_Helps_Weight_Loss\" >Pilates Helps Weight Loss<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Pilates_Improves_Core_Stability_Endurance_Strength_Flexibility_And_Lower_Injury_Risk\" >Pilates Improves Core Stability (Endurance, Strength, Flexibility, And Lower Injury Risk)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Pilates_Muscles_Worked\" >Pilates Muscles Worked<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#How_To_Build_Muscle_With_Pilates_In_3_Ways\" >How To Build Muscle With Pilates In 3 Ways<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Using_Classic_Pilates_To_Build_Muscle_As_A_New_Exerciser\" >Using Classic Pilates To Build Muscle As A New Exerciser<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Using_Pilates_Apparatuses_To_Build_Muscle_And_Increase_Intensity\" >Using Pilates Apparatuses To Build Muscle And Increase Intensity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Integrating_Exercises_To_Build_Muscle_And_Cross-Train\" >Integrating Exercises To Build Muscle And Cross-Train<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Does_Pilates_Help_You_Build_Muscle\" >Does Pilates Help You Build Muscle?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Does_Pilates_Build_Muscle_Mass\" >Does Pilates Build Muscle Mass?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#Is_Pilates_Good_For_Muscle-Building\" >Is Pilates Good For Muscle-Building?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#What_Does_Pilates_Do_To_Your_Muscles\" >What Does Pilates Do To Your Muscles?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#The_Bottom_Line\" >The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you considering Pilates as an entry-level muscle builder or looking to tone muscles without much injury risk? Perhaps you\u2019re wondering if Pilates could complement your strength and weight training. The direct question is, does Pilates build muscle? <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pilates is an incredible stretching and conditioning workout routine. However, you won\u2019t build bulk muscle mass or pump your abs. Still, Pilates has muscle benefits and may help new exercisers enter the world of workouts. Let\u2019s understand what Pilates does and doesn\u2019t do.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2117&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Does_Pilates_Build_Muscle\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/two-photos-collage-1920x1200-11.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Truth_About_Pilates_And_Muscle-Building\"><\/span><strong>The Truth About Pilates And Muscle-Building<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pilates Foundation credits Joseph Pilates, but they don\u2019t forget about his wife, Clara Pilates (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pilatesfoundation.com\/pilates\/the-history-of-pilates\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Few people realize that it was Clara who taught apprentices to help gym members condition, tone, and strengthen muscles in the 1920s.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The duo led <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/when-to-start-doing-wall-pilates\/\">body<\/a> conditioning with six principles (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pilatesfoundation.com\/pilates\/the-history-of-pilates\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The principles included breathwork, conscious focus, centering, precision, control, and flow. Gym members learned to marry the mind and body to condition the latter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, the workout became similar to yoga, except it takes a step further to focus your body on stabilizing your core. WebMD explains Pilates requires you to flow into a position before controlling your arm and leg movements to teach core stability (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/fitness-exercise\/difference-between-pilates-and-yoga\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You focus on the motions and breathing. So, it\u2019s slightly different from regular strength training and weightlifting that build muscle mass. Let\u2019s see how they differ by first understanding what\u2019s muscle mass.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_Pilates_Build_Muscle_Mass\"><\/span><strong>Will Pilates Build Muscle Mass?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington, explains the mechanisms of muscular movements during Pilates (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3666467\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Pilates is a full-body muscular exertion that doesn\u2019t focus on a single muscle group. Pilates is a whole-body internal resistance exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wall-pilates-faq\/\">Pilates<\/a> can stimulate increased motor unit recruitment, which is the force and resistance of a workout (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unm.edu\/~lkravitz\/Exercise%20Phys\/motorunitrecruit.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). However, only high-intensity Pilates with an intensity-enhancing apparatus can increase the progressive load enough to cause hypertrophy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Live Science describes hypertrophy as an increase in size and number of muscle fibers within a muscle or group that causes muscle mass (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/what-is-hypertrophy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">23<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). This doesn\u2019t explain anything about lengthening of <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wall-pilates-for-beginners\/\">muscles<\/a>. Muscle lengthening is purely a myth because they can\u2019t grow longer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The University of New Mexico uses a diaphragm to show how muscles work in various intensity workouts (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unm.edu\/~lkravitz\/Exercise%20Phys\/motorunitrecruit.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Heavy load or progressive overload muscular workouts are necessary to stimulate both muscle fibers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bastry University has shown how Pilates primarily stimulates the slow-twitch fibers to be more resilient to longer workouts (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3666467\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). New York\u2019s Lehman College described how high-intensity exercises stimulate both muscle fiber types necessary to build mass (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3666467\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Classic Pilates alone can\u2019t build lean mass. This is to say, you aren\u2019t gaining muscle mass unless you use high-intensity Pilates with intensity-enhancing apparatuses. Switching between high-intensity strength training and Pilates can also give you the desired effect.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/two-photos-collage-1920x1200-1-2.png\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Read More: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/barre-vs-pilates\/\"><i>Barre Vs Pilates: Which Is Right For You?<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Will_Pilates_Make_You_Gain_Muscle_Weight\"><\/span><strong>Will Pilates Make You Gain Muscle Weight?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Mayo Clinic states that strength training adds weight because of extra muscle mass (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/healthy-lifestyle\/fitness\/in-depth\/strength-training\/art-20046670\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">19<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Unfortunately, Pilates doesn\u2019t build muscle mass once you tone up. This means it can\u2019t enable you to carry excess weight. In addition, classic Pilates isn\u2019t explosive or intense enough.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fitness expert Daniel Bubnis explains how muscle growth happens when you challenge the muscles to more intense resistance (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/319151#how-does-muscle-grow-in-the-body\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Hypertrophy also damages the type II muscle fibers, and your body sends satellite cells to repair them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These cells increase the weight of your muscles, causing them to look more significant (but not longer). Cells fuse to repair muscles, adding weight and growth. Also, Bubnis explains how hormones play a role (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/319151#how-does-muscle-grow-in-the-body\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Muscles grow when these hormones increase:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Human Growth Hormone,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insulin Growth Factor,\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Testosterone.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">University confirms that protein is an essential nutrient for building muscle mass and weight (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6566799\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The hormones improve how your body processes and inhibits protein. Eastern Michigan The hormones also promote tissue growth around your muscles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interestingly, the role of testosterone in muscle growth also explains why women don\u2019t build muscle as quickly as men. Fitness expert Daniel Bubnis confirms gender hormones affect muscle growth (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/319151#how-does-muscle-grow-in-the-body\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). However, women have estrogen doing a similar job to testosterone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, Bubnis dives into how body types affect muscle growth and mass (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/319151#how-does-muscle-grow-in-the-body\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Three different body types can affect how you build muscle with or without high-intensity workouts. The University of Houston describes the three body types (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uh.edu\/fitness\/comm_educators\/3_somatotypesNEW.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ectomorph: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This type is lean with little fat or muscle and needs high-intensity workouts to build mass.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Endomorph: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This type is curvacious and needs high-intensity workouts.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mesomorph: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This type is solid, healthy, and would build mass with most exercises.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>BetterMe app will kick you out of the mental funk, shake off your extra weight, rid you off your energy-zapping habits, and help you sculpt the body of your dreams. Intrigued? Hurry up and <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated?flow=1416&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Does_Pilates_Build_Muscle\">change your life for the better<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ready-2-copy.png\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Would_You_Use_Pilates_If_Not_For_Muscle_Growth\"><\/span><strong>Why Would You Use Pilates If Not For Muscle Growth?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pilates is an internal resistance exercise that improves your coordination and balance. Furthermore, it has excellent health, toning, and mental health benefits. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends Pilates for various uses (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21694556\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pilates_Improves_Mental_Health_And_Reduces_Pain_Perception\"><\/span><strong>Pilates Improves Mental Health And Reduces Pain Perception<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">German Sport University Cologne reviewed how Pilates can help healthy and unhealthy adults (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8574969\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Pilates helps people with or without clinical conditions. Quality of life, depression levels, sleep, and chronic pain occurrence improved significantly among the older crowd.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pilates_To_Build_Muscle_Tone\"><\/span><strong>Pilates To Build Muscle Tone<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Cleveland Clinic recommends Pilates to tone muscles more than build mass (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/health.clevelandclinic.org\/everything-you-want-to-know-about-pilates\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). You might not build excessive muscle mass, especially with classic Pilates. However, it will help you tone muscles to get your desired shape. You\u2019ll have a leaner look with Pilates.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pilates_Helps_Weight_Loss\"><\/span><strong>Pilates Helps Weight Loss<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Houston Methodist Medical Center confirms weight loss is a Pilates benefit (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonmethodist.org\/blog\/articles\/2022\/feb\/5-benefits-of-pilates-that-might-convince-you-to-add-it-to-your-workout-regimen\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Pilates doesn\u2019t burn calories like traditional aerobic exercises. Instead, it improves your basal metabolic rate to burn fat while you rest. Pilates enhances your chance of weight loss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/store.betterme.world\/collections\/rompers?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Does_Pilates_Build_Muscle\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ready-13-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pilates_Improves_Core_Stability_Endurance_Strength_Flexibility_And_Lower_Injury_Risk\"><\/span><strong>Pilates Improves Core Stability (Endurance, Strength, Flexibility, And Lower Injury Risk)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why is core stabilization, strengthening, endurance, and flexibility necessary? The Goodwin Living Foundation explains why core stabilization matters (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goodwinliving.org\/blog\/anatomy-lesson-the-core-our-center-for-stability-and-motion\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The core muscles aren\u2019t specific to your abdomen. Instead, they consist of two major muscle types.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The types are the inner and outer core (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goodwinliving.org\/blog\/anatomy-lesson-the-core-our-center-for-stability-and-motion\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The inner core muscles provide stability and control when you move. They lie deep in your body and close to your spine, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Diaphragm muscles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> control breathing and abdominal pressure,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Internal obliques <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help move the body sideways and breathe,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Multifidus muscles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> run along the spine to offer stable support,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pelvic floor muscles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> control bladder and bowel movements and sex organs,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Transversus abdominis muscles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are the deepest ab muscles that support limb movements, pelvic floor muscles, and the lower back.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then, you have the outer <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wall-pilates-benefits\/\">core muscles<\/a> that control the more extensive movements and your body\u2019s trunk (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goodwinliving.org\/blog\/anatomy-lesson-the-core-our-center-for-stability-and-motion\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). These muscles and their responsibilities include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>External obliques<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are on the outside and front of your abdomen, and they help you move side-to-side and support inner core muscles,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Erector spinae muscles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> line the sides of your spine and aid in all upper body motions,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rectus abdominis muscles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are what we think are abs and help you bend over.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Goodwin Living Foundation says other muscles, like the glutes, comprise the core structure (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goodwinliving.org\/blog\/anatomy-lesson-the-core-our-center-for-stability-and-motion\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). However, you have the main inner and outer core muscles, also known as global and local muscles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This anatomy lesson matters because we see how the inner core muscles work with the outer core muscles. Not many exercises target the deeper internal core muscle systems. However, the Patil College of Physiotherapy has proved Pilates works the inner core muscles (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goodwinliving.org\/blog\/anatomy-lesson-the-core-our-center-for-stability-and-motion\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, the Mayo Clinic recommends stabilizing core muscles to be more flexible, endure longer workouts, and perform better overall (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/healthy-lifestyle\/fitness\/in-depth\/core-exercises\/art-20044751\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). You\u2019ll have better balance and fine-tune your abs. Meanwhile, you\u2019ll prevent injuries by making your muscles more flexible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Read More: <\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/pilates-exercises-at-home\/\"><i>Do These Pilates Exercises At Home To Tone Your Core<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pilates_Muscles_Worked\"><\/span><strong>Pilates Muscles Worked<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bastyr University discovered the muscles <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wall-pilates\/\">Pilates<\/a> targets when muscle exertion happens (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3666467\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Here\u2019s how the muscles in your inner and outer core work with Pilates:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Abdominal Core Muscles:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Pilates has a minimal impact on your spine while working on the rectus abdominis, transverses abdominis, and the internal and external obliques,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Body Position Core Muscles: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pilates activates the cervical vertebrae, pelvic floor muscles, multifidus, and erector spinae muscles to improve position,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Motor Control Core Muscles:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Pilates improves flexibility and endurance in the glutes, diaphragm, multifidus, transversus abdominis, and internal and external obliques. You\u2019ll have better motor control with Pilates muscles worked.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Tyler Wheeler says you\u2019ll experience muscle benefits in your <\/span><b>arms and legs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with Pilates (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/fitness-exercise\/a-z\/what-is-pilates\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). She also explains how improving the core muscle structure with Pilates will help limb movements. You\u2019ll have more control over the muscles in your arms and legs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Houston Methodist Medical Center further states that Pilates will improve <\/span><b>inner thigh muscles, glutes, and hip muscles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonmethodist.org\/blog\/articles\/2022\/feb\/5-benefits-of-pilates-that-might-convince-you-to-add-it-to-your-workout-regimen\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Everything\u2019s connected to your core, so you\u2019re doing a whole-body muscle workout when you enjoy Pilates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The psoas core muscles are hip flexors controlling everything in the lower limbs. They connect the hip and spine, creating stability at a significant point. Pendelton Pilates explains how Pilates improves the <\/span><b>psoas muscles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pendletonpilates.com\/pilates-psoas-muscle\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shoulder movements rely on <\/span><b>teres major and minor muscles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Pilates can make these muscles more flexible to help your core movements and control. Finally, Pilates expert Melanie Bermudez explains how Pilates improves the girdle in your shoulders (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.melaniebermudezpilates.com\/2018\/01\/02\/shoulder-girdle-stabilization\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Model-added-background-1-1.png\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_To_Build_Muscle_With_Pilates_In_3_Ways\"><\/span><strong>How To Build Muscle With Pilates In 3 Ways<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building lean muscle mass requires three methods. These three methods are <\/span><b>complementary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/6-pilates-principles\/\"> muscle-builders<\/a>. You can cross-train, add apparatuses, or use Pilates as a beginner trainer. However, remember the <\/span><b>facts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Let\u2019s see how each technique works.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Using_Classic_Pilates_To_Build_Muscle_As_A_New_Exerciser\"><\/span><strong>Using Classic Pilates To Build Muscle As A New Exerciser<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pilates will tone your muscles and give you a lean mass effect as a beginner. Dr. Tyler Wheeler confirms beginners can tone their muscles with Pilates (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/fitness-exercise\/a-z\/what-is-pilates\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). It works if you\u2019re out of shape. Also, you can cross-train or add intensity once you hit the muscle wall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Using_Pilates_Apparatuses_To_Build_Muscle_And_Increase_Intensity\"><\/span><strong>Using Pilates Apparatuses To Build Muscle And Increase Intensity<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/pilates-for-posture\/\">Pilates<\/a> with apparatuses can increase the intensity of your whole-body workout. For example, the Trifocus Fitness Academy suggests using an adjustable Pilates reformer to increase resistance training (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za\/pilates-blog\/what-are-the-benefits-of-using-a-pilates-reformer\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). You won\u2019t bulk up overnight, but it adds intensity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physiotherapist Louise O\u2019Rourke suggests the following equipment to enhance Pilates intensity (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/louiseorourkephysiotherapy.ie\/faq\/pilates-with-equipment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Flex Bands<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> increase resistance and power during Pilates workouts,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mini Flex Balls<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> improve intensity for the thigh muscles,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stability Balls<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> increase intensity during stability Pilates workouts,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Toning Balls<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> add small weights to your Pilates exercise,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pilates Reformers or Towers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are adjustable machines that improve resistance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Lean and toned up body isn\u2019t just a far-fetched fantasy. Check out the BetterMe app and watch it <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated?flow=1416&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Does_Pilates_Build_Muscle\">propel your weight loss journey<\/a> into high gear!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/store.betterme.world\/products\/sculpt-recovery-kit-pink?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Does_Pilates_Build_Muscle\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ready-16-1.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Integrating_Exercises_To_Build_Muscle_And_Cross-Train\"><\/span><strong>Integrating Exercises To Build Muscle And Cross-Train<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Mayo Clinic confirms strength training builds <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-is-pilates-workout\/\">muscle<\/a>, bulks, and improves muscle weight (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/healthy-lifestyle\/fitness\/in-depth\/strength-training\/art-20046670\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">19<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). So, why not combine strength training and Pilates to build muscle while staying toned and stable? Strong Fitness Magazine also recommends cross-training (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/training\/why-pilates-style-workouts-are-the-perfect-complement-to-weight-training\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attend two to three Pilates classes weekly, back-to-back.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use strength training, weightlifting, or high-intensity workouts on other days.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternatively, finish strength training with mild Pilates workouts.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span><strong>FAQs<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_Pilates_Help_You_Build_Muscle\"><\/span><strong>Does Pilates Help You Build Muscle?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bastyr University examined high-intensity versus low-intensity Pilates (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3666467\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Classic Pilates alone can\u2019t help you build muscle mass. Meanwhile, high-intensity variations can <\/span><b>aid<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> muscle gain. However, high-intensity Pilates works better for some body types (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/319151#how-does-muscle-grow-in-the-body\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_Pilates_Build_Muscle_Mass\"><\/span><strong>Does Pilates Build Muscle Mass?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bastry University describes Pilates as a low-intensity, whole-body resistance workout (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3666467\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Still, the University of New Mexico\u2019s diaphragm shows you need high-intensity exercises to stimulate the right muscle fibers (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unm.edu\/~lkravitz\/Exercise%20Phys\/motorunitrecruit.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). That said, you can\u2019t quickly build mass with classic Pilates.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Pilates_Good_For_Muscle-Building\"><\/span><strong>Is Pilates Good For Muscle-Building?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Live Science says hypertrophy is the best way to stimulate muscle-building (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/what-is-hypertrophy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">23<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Unfortunately, Bastry University states that classic Pilates doesn\u2019t cause hypertrophy (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3666467\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Combine Pilates with vigorous exercises or use apparatuses to increase the intensity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Does_Pilates_Do_To_Your_Muscles\"><\/span><strong>What Does Pilates Do To Your Muscles?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pilates has muscle benefits. The American College of Sports Medicine has shown how Pilates improves muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21694556\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Pilates also improves balance, coordination, and posture while reducing the risk of muscle injuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2117&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Does_Pilates_Build_Muscle\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/two-photos-collage-1920x1200-11.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bottom_Line\"><\/span><strong>The Bottom Line<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pilates won\u2019t buff you or make your abs talk. However, they\u2019re an excellent workout to add to your lifestyle routine, even to support strength training. A more stable core with higher performance will help you build muscle with other exercises. On that note, start Pilates today!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you considering Pilates as an entry-level muscle builder or looking to tone muscles without much injury risk? Perhaps you\u2019re wondering if Pilates could complement your strength and weight training. The direct question is, does Pilates build muscle? Pilates is an incredible stretching and conditioning workout routine. However, you won\u2019t build bulk muscle mass or [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":69972,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[201],"tags":[],"coauthors":[178],"class_list":["post-50749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pilates"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.2.1 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Does Pilates Build Muscle? The Facts And 3 Ways It Can Work - BetterMe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Pumping abs and sleek muscles is a fitness dream for many, but \u2605 DOES PILATES BUILD MUSCLE? \u27a4 Discover what Pilates does to your muscles to know the answer.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Does Pilates Build Muscle? The Facts And 3 Ways It Can Work\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Pumping abs and sleek muscles is a fitness dream for many, but \u2605 DOES PILATES BUILD MUSCLE? \u27a4 Discover what Pilates does to your muscles to know the answer.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-01-22T20:36:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/\u0432\u0438\u043a\u043e\u0440\u0438\u0441\u0442\u0430\u043b\u0430-1024x640.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Caroline Lambert\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Caroline Lambert\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Caroline Lambert\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/0f80d74033dcc5bed5984613db06ccfe\"},\"headline\":\"Does Pilates Build Muscle? The Facts And 3 Ways It Can Work\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-01-22T20:36:21+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/\"},\"wordCount\":2092,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B0.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Pilates\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Are you considering Pilates as an entry-level muscle builder or looking to tone muscles without much injury risk? Perhaps you\u2019re wondering if Pilates could complement your strength and weight training. The direct question is, does Pilates build muscle? <\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Pilates is an incredible stretching and conditioning workout routine. However, you won\u2019t build bulk muscle mass or pump your abs. Still, Pilates has muscle benefits and may help new exercisers enter the world of workouts. Let\u2019s understand what Pilates does and doesn\u2019t do.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<a href=\\\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2117&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Does_Pilates_Build_Muscle\\\"><img class=\\\"aligncenter\\\" src=\\\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/two-photos-collage-1920x1200-11.png\\\" \/><\/a>\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><strong>The Truth About Pilates And Muscle-Building<\/strong><\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The Pilates Foundation credits Joseph Pilates, but they don\u2019t forget about his wife, Clara Pilates (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.pilatesfoundation.com\/pilates\/the-history-of-pilates\/\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">21<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">). Few people realize that it was Clara who taught apprentices to help gym members condition, tone, and strengthen muscles in the 1920s.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The duo led <a href=\\\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/when-to-start-doing-wall-pilates\/\\\">body<\/a> conditioning with six principles (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.pilatesfoundation.com\/pilates\/the-history-of-pilates\/\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">21<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">). The principles included breathwork, conscious focus, centering, precision, control, and flow. Gym members learned to marry the mind and body to condition the latter.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Ultimately, the worko ...\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/\",\"name\":\"Does Pilates Build Muscle? 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The Facts And 3 Ways It Can Work","dateModified":"2025-01-22T20:36:21+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/"},"wordCount":2092,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B0.png","articleSection":["Pilates"],"inLanguage":"en-US","articleBody":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you considering Pilates as an entry-level muscle builder or looking to tone muscles without much injury risk? Perhaps you\u2019re wondering if Pilates could complement your strength and weight training. The direct question is, does Pilates build muscle? <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pilates is an incredible stretching and conditioning workout routine. However, you won\u2019t build bulk muscle mass or pump your abs. Still, Pilates has muscle benefits and may help new exercisers enter the world of workouts. Let\u2019s understand what Pilates does and doesn\u2019t do.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated?flow=2117&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Does_Pilates_Build_Muscle\"><img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/two-photos-collage-1920x1200-11.png\" \/><\/a>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The Truth About Pilates And Muscle-Building<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pilates Foundation credits Joseph Pilates, but they don\u2019t forget about his wife, Clara Pilates (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pilatesfoundation.com\/pilates\/the-history-of-pilates\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Few people realize that it was Clara who taught apprentices to help gym members condition, tone, and strengthen muscles in the 1920s.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The duo led <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/when-to-start-doing-wall-pilates\/\">body<\/a> conditioning with six principles (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pilatesfoundation.com\/pilates\/the-history-of-pilates\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">21<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). The principles included breathwork, conscious focus, centering, precision, control, and flow. Gym members learned to marry the mind and body to condition the latter.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, the worko ..."},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/","url":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/does-pilates-build-muscle\/","name":"Does Pilates Build Muscle? 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Unfortunately, the once top school athlete (with provincial colors), struggles with weightloss, exercise, and healthy habits. As a result, Caroline is here to not only share valuable advice from experts and proven studies, but she\u2019s also here to begin her journey with you. Caroline\u2019s greatest downfall is that she has worked remote for 18 years. Now\u2019s the time to find evidence to support her lifestyle changes, sharing them with you. Caroline also has a passion for various nutritional journeys as she loves trying new regimes and cultural differences. 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