For the longest time, yoga was all the rage until Pilates came along and stole the show. A favorite of health nuts around the world, famous and not, yoga and Pilates both have loads of benefits from weight loss to improved heart health, but which one is best for you? Essentially, the answer in the Pilates vs yoga debate largely depends on one thing: what you’re trying to achieve.
If you’re trying to lose weight
Trying to lose weight? Then yoga is probably your best bet. One study showed that people who practiced yoga regularly gained less weight and were less likely to be obese than those who didn’t.
Yoga and Pilates each burn around 145 calories in a 60-minute period, but you might want to consider adding in a more intense activity, such as jogging (a 30-minute run burns an impressive 200 calories) to your workout regimen if you really want to drop the pounds.
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If you want to improve your heart health
As far as heart health goes, yoga and Pilates provide little cardio benefit unless it’s an advanced class, which in that case can bring your heart rate up.
What are the other benefits?
Some other benefits? Yoga and Pilates help to improve your body strength and flexibility, slow down the aging process, increase posture, promote sleep and detoxify the body. Furthermore, yoga has been proven to reduce stress hormone, cortisol, levels.
Pilates
Evidence suggests that Pilates may be beneficial for those with the following conditions:
- arthritis
- urinary incontinence
- respiratory conditions
- joint injuries
- back pain
Pilates is a great option for older adults or those recovering from an injury because it involves low-impact exercises and subtle movements.
