What’s better for you – yoga or Pilates?
If spending Saturday mornings gently stretching and strengthening is your jam, then chances are yoga and Pilates will appeal to you. Both are celebrated for their numerous health benefits – think: stress relief, development of flexibility and muscle strength – yet each is stronger in certain areas.
“Pilates is particularly beneficial for strengthening the core muscles of the body,” explains personal trainer and health and wellness coach Kristy Curtis. “When it comes to yoga, however, the standout is the benefit it has for the mind.”
Here, we look at the advantages of both practices to help you decide which best aligns with your personal health and wellness goals.
The benefits of Pilates
Originally devised by Joseph Pilates, a German trainer, in the early 20th century as a form of physical therapy, Pilates trains your body as an integrated whole – which makes it great for anyone seeking a gentle approach to developing strength and flexibility.
“Pilates focuses on the core, lower and upper body as well as flexibility and posture,” says Kristy. “It has a strong emphasis on improving posture and core strength, which is a great place to start for anybody beginning an exercise program.”
In fact, its gentle, foundation-building nature – and the wide range of progressions and regressions in its repertoire – make Pilates particularly beneficial to postnatal women or anyone recovering from injury.
Some of Pilates’ biggest physical benefits are:
Increased core-muscle strength
Increased mobility
Posture correction
Injury recovery
Prevention of falls (for older Australians)
Joint pain relief
And then there are mental benefits such as improved mood, increased relaxation levels and heightened sense of focus.
The benefits of yoga
Similar to Pilates, the benefits of yoga include major physical wins – such as improved flexibility and mobility – with the more dynamic poses linked to significant improvements in strength and endurance.
This ancient practice shares Pilates’ advantages in core-muscle strength, posture correction and joint pain relief, but because it combines physical movements with mindfulness and calm breathing techniques, yoga can increase calmness, reduce stress and improve sleep quality.
In fact, yoga’s promotion of mindfulness and relaxation can even form part of the treatment of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety (chat to your GP about this).
It can, however, be a risk to your health if you have any medical conditions,” stresses Kristy. “Particularly hot yoga or Bikram-style yoga.”
That’s why consulting a doctor prior to embarking on a new fitness routine is really important.
Finding what works best for you
When it comes to yoga versus Pilates, there’s no clear better-for-you winner, but keeping your health and fitness goals in mind can help you decide.
If you’re keen to target tight muscles or flexibility, yoga could be beneficial. And if strengthening and toning is your thing, Pilates might be your best bet.
“Always do what you enjoy, as you are more likely to stick with it long term,” adds Kristy. “Variety is the spice of life – so add a mixture!”
When it comes to mental health, if you or someone you know needs help, please call:
Lifeline13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Please note: Before making any sudden changes to your health routine, it’s always best to run it by your GP. The tips throughout this article serve as broad information and should not replace any advice you have been given by your medical practitioner.