As Pilates teachers, we know that our focus is often on mobility, flexibility, and posture, but there’s another key element of health that deserves our attention: muscle strength. While Pilates offers a fantastic foundation for functional strength, we should encourage our clients to incorporate additional strength training outside of their regular Pilates classes—just as we often recommend cardiovascular exercise to complement their practice. After all, Pilates teachers are educators for complete wellness.
Why Muscle Matters for Everyone
Muscle is crucial not just for movement but also for metabolic health, balance, and longevity. Many clients, particularly those new to fitness, may feel that it's too late for them to start building muscle, but the truth is, it’s never too late. Research consistently shows that strength training is beneficial at any age, helping to prevent age-related muscle loss and supporting functional movements for everyday life.
Beyond mobility and flexibility, muscle strength helps with immune function, hormonal balance, and even cognitive health. Encouraging your clients to build muscle outside of Pilates classes can greatly enhance their overall health, making them stronger both inside and outside the studio.
The Role of Pilates in Muscle Building
Pilates Fitness does a wonderful job of targeting the smaller, stabilising muscles that support posture and alignment. Movements like the Shoulder Bridge or the Leg Pull Front are excellent for building strength while also improving flexibility and coordination. But to build comprehensive muscle strength, clients need more.
This is where Pilates teachers can take on a broader role as wellness educators. By encouraging clients to add traditional strength training into their weekly routines—whether it's lifting weights, resistance band exercises, or bodyweight training—they can complement the functional strength they gain from Pilates. This balanced approach helps create a well-rounded fitness program, similar to how we recommend cardiovascular exercise to support endurance and heart health.
Why Strength Training Outside of Class is Key
While Pilates is excellent for building functional muscle, it doesn't always provide the type of overload necessary to build larger muscle groups or to continuously challenge muscular strength in the way that weight-bearing exercises do. For complete wellness, incorporating both Pilates and external strength training, much like adding cardio for cardiovascular fitness, offers a balanced approach that addresses all aspects of health.
Strength training can:
Increase bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Help improve metabolic function by supporting muscle mass.
Enhance functional abilities, such as lifting and carrying heavy objects in daily life.
By recommending strength training in addition to their Pilates practice, you're providing clients with a pathway to fuller wellness.
Practical Tips for Pilates Teachers
Recommend Weight Training Sessions: Encourage clients to incorporate 2-3 days of resistance training outside of Pilates. This could include free weights, resistance bands, or even gym machines.
Educate on the Benefits of Strength Training: Just as you guide clients through the benefits of Pilates, share how muscle building supports longevity, balance, and metabolic health.
Balance Strength with Mobility: Remind your clients that flexibility and mobility, which they develop through Pilates, are just as important as strength. It's all about creating a well-rounded fitness routine.
Conclusion: Pilates Teachers as Wellness Educators
As Pilates teachers, we are not just instructors—we are educators guiding our clients toward complete wellness. By recommending strength training outside of their regular Pilates classes, much like we do with cardio, we can help them achieve balanced health and vitality. It’s never too late for anyone to start building muscle, and with Pilates as a foundation and strength training as a complement, your clients can experience the full spectrum of fitness benefits.
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