Regular exercise is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle, improving your physique, increasing your confidence and getting the most out of life. Despite our busy lives, it’s a good idea to find the perfect exercise that you enjoy, to keep you motivated. Luckily, there are so many different options when it comes to physical activities, such as Pilates and Yoga, and everyone has their own preference.
Yoga and Pilates are very popular choices today, but what’s the difference between the two? It’s a question we hear often. So, we thought we’d provide a general insight into both and which may suit you better.
Yoga is a mind and body practise that involves a lot of deep breathing, positive thinking and meditation. By holding poses through different sequences of movement, yoga aims to connect your body with your breath, your mind and inner self.
Pilates, on the other hand, is a series of slow and precise exercises done with fewer repetitions. Either through its equipment-based workouts (known as Reformer Pilates) or mat classes, Pilates stabilises and strengthens your muscles.
More specifically, KX Pilates is a form of Reformer Pilates born from the ‘Kaizen’ philosophy: where continuous improvements reap some pretty phenomenal rewards. We’ve taken this and applied it to Reformer Pilates so you can get fit and healthy on your terms.
Despite their differences, both Yoga and Pilates generally involve low impact activities, meaning that the exercises are gentle on bones and joints. They are also similar in their ability to improve muscular strength and posture.
It’s no secret that Yoga is effective in relieving stress and addressing a lot of medical issues like anxiety, depression, high blood pressure and more. Yoga is also quite effective in general body strengthening and improving flexibility, and involves nothing more than you and a mat.
However, yoga does require a certain mobility of joints, spine, hips and wrists. So, it can be quite difficult for people with physical limitations or pain to perform Yoga. It also requires a lot of time and dedication to see results.
Pilates is a tailored and modern exercise practise that offers the following:
There are additional benefits with KX Pilates, which include:
However, since Pilates is an anaerobic exercise, you must combine it with a healthy diet and a regular aerobic workout (like walking) to improve cardiovascular strength and maximise weight loss.
Pilates and Yoga are both great exercises that enhance body fitness, strength and posture. While Yoga tends to focus on relaxation and flexibility to improve overall well-being, Pilates is more dedicated towards toning, power and strengthening muscles. It all comes down to your preference and what you like most. If you have a busy schedule every day (and let’s face it – we all do!), Pilates will probably fit into your routine better and help you see results faster. This is because its physical program is more tailored and intense than Yoga.
As much as Yoga offers a lot of mental and physical benefits too, Pilates is more suitable for you if an active and reinvigorating activity is what you’re really looking for.
At KX Pilates, each session is a lot of fun because it’s made for absolutely everyone – especially those who dislike the gym (we prefer what we do, and you will too).
Just remember, transforming your lifestyle into a healthier one is not an overnight process. But exercise can be really enjoyable if you choose something you like. If you want to achieve that flatter and firmer body or you’re looking to make some positive changes, start looking for a KX Pilates studio near you now. Just remember: when deciding on a suitable exercise for you, it’s always advisable to consult a healthcare professional.
Whoever you are and whatever your ability, there’s a KX Pilates class for you. KX Pilates offers high intensity, body-toning workout in just 50 minutes. Take that, busy schedule!
Whether you want to do your workout in private, in a group or in a specialised way – we promise to help you achieve that flexible and well-balanced body in amongst your hectic schedule. Still got more questions to ask? No worries! Contact us and we won’t keep you wondering.
