Pilates Vs Yoga For Weight Loss | What Is Better

By Alex Assoune Mar 16, 2021

Pilates vs yoga for weight loss? Both are often compared together. While they have some similarities, they also have major differences as well. It is quite easy to oversee them and mistake one for the other.

There are many different types of yoga and pilates. It becomes difficult to find distinctions between them. If you are thinking about choosing between the two, there are several factors to consider.

You could always try out both and see what you prefer. It is important to pick an activity that you enjoy on a regular basis. It is especially true if you want to lose weight.

The choice depends on your particular needs, preferences and goals. Both pilates and yoga have evolved after becoming popular. The classes vary a lot. Keep looking and you’ll find the best style for you.

Both pilates and yoga have plenty of benefits for your health and well-being. They help you lose weight effectively too. Expect a better quality of life if you practice regularly.

Yoga has more practitioners than pilates for many good reasons. Achieving a lean physique is possible with both. But yoga is much more than just physical exercise.

Let us have a look at the differences and similarities between the two. It will help you understand both a bit better. When comparing pilates vs yoga for weight loss, pick what is right for you.

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What is yoga?

The origins of yoga.

Yoga has been available to everybody in India since thousands of years. This is a very ancient and proven practice. It combines physical poses (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation (dhyana).

The ultimate purpose of yoga is to connect body, mind and spirit. It improves not only your physical health, but also your mental, emotional and spiritual health. Yoga provides many benefits for your well-being as well.

Practicing yoga often and correctly is well-known to raise quality of life. Plus, it reverses the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle. Yoga is an alternative medicine and has therapeutic properties.

What yoga provides to its practitioners.

Yoga became very popular in the west during the last century. It is a very effective way to lose weight. It also treats many medical issues and has already helped millions of people around the world.

Moreover, yoga offers deep relaxation to its practitioners. It leads to lasting positive changes in yourself. Plus, it reshapes the way we think and how we approach life.

Yoga also increases self-awareness and mindfulness. It deepens the connection between mind and body. Furthermore, it changes your relationship with food and diet.

Yoga makes you appreciate life, and your body even more. It makes you want to treat it well, the best you can. Yoga is a life changing experience that leaves you filled with positive energy.

The many benefits of yoga for weight loss.

The numerous poses and exercises in yoga serve different purposes. They provide many benefits for weight loss and wellness such as:

Reduced stress and anxiety.
Improved strength and mobility.
Less chronic pain.
Reduced risk of diabetes and heart diseases.
Stable blood pressure and sugar levels.
More energy and less fatigue.
Better deep sleep.
Improved respiratory function.
Enhanced immune system and resistance.
Better digestion and detoxification.
Raised focus and concentration.

What are the advantages of yoga vs pilates?

You can practice yoga anywhere with almost no equipment. Only your body weight is required to exercise. Put on comfortable clothes and you are good to go.

There are many different types of yoga (Hatha, Bikram, Ashtanga, Iyengar,..). Some are more physically stimulating than others. Some forms of yoga have a strong focus on spirituality. Yoga is a great way to heal the body, find balance and harmony.

Most yogis love practicing yoga because of the way it makes them feel. Yoga is energizing, rejuvenating and revitalizing. Find the right style for you and feel amazing after each practice.

It is also highly recommended to practice yoga at home. Take some free time and space for yourself every day. You can start today with online beginner classes and see what it is like.

What is pilates?

The origins of pilates.

Pilates was created around 1920 by Joseph Pilates. It has become very popular since then. The original purpose of pilates is physical rehabilitation, building physical strength and flexibility.

Pilates uses body weight for exercises on a mat plus various machines. For a home practice, you cannot make use of machines. So you will not get the full experience of pilates at home.

What pilates focuses on.

The focus of this activity is physical exercise. It uses small movements to gain body awareness. There is a strong emphasis on core strength and stability while practicing pilates.

This is a great way to strengthen muscles in the abdomen and the back region. Pilates also increases stamina and endurance. Plus, it improves balance and stability.

You will get stronger and leaner muscles if you practice pilates regularly. This exercise also require focus and concentration. A high amount of control and precision is necessary to perform pilates correctly.

The benefits of pilates for fitness.

Although there is less mental and spiritual aspects in pilates, it remains a great method to improve your health and lean down. Here are some of the benefits of pilates:

Increased strength and endurance.
More flexibility and better posture.
Better balance and stability.
Reduced chronic joint pain.
Less back pain.
Better respiration.

Should you choose pilates vs yoga for weight loss? Many people enjoy both yoga and pilates. If you like both activities, you could practice both.

The similarities comparing pilates vs yoga for weight loss.

Yoga and pilates make both great exercise routines. They require little equipment. They increase strength, flexibility and stamina. Both focus on breathing deeply during exercises.

Pilates and yoga reduce stress and anxiety effectively. They also treat depression and improve the mood. More energy and higher fitness level are the results of practicing often.

Improving posture, stability and core strength is possible with pilates and yoga. They are also recommended after an injury to help with recovery. Both provide similar results.

Pilates vs yoga for weight loss? They both encourage a connection between the body and the mind. And they contribute to weight loss effectively.

They do not burn as many calories as a gym workout, running or cycling, but enough to reach your ideal weight.

Pilates and yoga have the main advantage to avoid soreness and stiffness, fatigue and hunger. They promote flexibility as well as strength building, unlike weight training or cardio.

They combine powerful movements to improve health and well-being. Yoga is still the most widely practiced in the world. It has many different schools and styles, being a physical, mental and spiritual discipline.

Pilates vs yoga for weight loss: the main differences.

Equipment and techniques of pilates vs yoga for weight loss.

Pilates uses machines to help you burn extra calories. It strengthens and lengthens all muscles in your body. Yoga uses no machines to accomplish the same.

The breathing techniques differ a lot between yoga and pilates. Breath is used as a mean to fuel your muscles with oxygen in pilates. In yoga, deep breathing improves health and state of mind.

Pilates is much more like strength training with the use of machines. Yoga improves strength with different methods, using only the body weight. Strength is an added bonus of yoga, not the primary focus.

If you like holding poses to increase your flexibility and relax at the same time, yoga provides that. Pilates is only dynamic with a focus on movements.

The mental and spiritual aspects of yoga.

Mental health is a big part of any serious yoga practice. Yoga is well-known to provide many benefits. It calms the mind, helps with stress, stimulates the nervous system. Pilates is more a physical activity.

Meditation plays an important role in yoga. Not all types of yoga focus on spirituality. Some are more physical than others. But pilates has no spiritual dimension like yoga does.

Yoga is a mental exercise on its own. It increases all cognitive functions, such as memory, focus and concentration. Yoga is the most effective way to combat depression and anxiety naturally.

Yoga is a way of life. It has a much larger philosophy and set principles. It leads practitioners to true health and spiritual awakening. Pilates started has a tool to rehabilitate war soldiers.

If you want to increase awareness and consciousness, yoga is the way to go. It focuses on how you feel and discovering your true self. Pilates focuses on toning and bettering your body.

The ultimate goals of pilates vs yoga for weight loss.

Many people think that pilates is the best to strengthen your core, and yoga for relaxation and mindfulness. Ultimately, it depends on the teachings style and the instructor.

It is highly recommended to try out different classes and studios. Both pilates and yoga vary a lot depending on where it is practiced.

Pilates has a training style that involves counting, with repetitions and sets. There is no counting in yoga. Depending on the type of yoga, students are encouraged to focus on how they feel and act accordingly.

Yoga is not a fitness activity. Improving your body is a byproduct but not the ultimate goal. Yoga improves your overall quality of life and does not limit itself to physical fitness.

Summing up:

What should you choose? Pilates vs yoga for weight loss? By now, you should be able to decide which one you want to do.

If you are just looking for physical exercise, pilates could be the right choice for you. It is a great way to tone your body and get lean.

Why not give yoga a try? Yoga also build strength and flexibility. It adds mental, emotional and spiritual benefits unlike pilates.

Yoga is the healthiest way to deal with stress and anxiety. It calms the mind very effectively.

Plus, it improves the mood and energy levels making use of powerful breathing and meditation techniques.

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.