Can you Lose Weight with a Pilates Reformer?

 

Posted By: Pamela Toy
 

Training on a Pilates Reformer can help with weight loss, but it needs to be coupled with a good diet. According to the CDC, healthy eating and physical activity are not enough on their own to lose weight. It takes an ongoing effort of eating clean and working out to lose weight without putting it back on. (1)

While the invention of the Pilates Reformer was for rehabilitation purposes, you can burn a lot of fat and calories using it.
 

Developing Toned Muscle Through Reformer Training

 

Working out on a Pilates Reformer creates strong balanced muscles. Many of the exercises require you to focus on your breath while keeping your core engaged. The muscle contraction and eccentric release when doing exercises like footwork or leg circles can help to develop toned muscle.
 

Consistent Reformer Training for Maximum Results

 

The frequency in which you train will also play a big role. We recommend training at least 3-6 days a week for maximum results.

Consistency is king when it comes to weight loss and if you are only training once or twice a month, you are unlikely to see results. However, if you are able to train at least twice a week through a class, with privates, or on your own home machine, you are likely to burn off a lot more calories.

Check out this amazing case study of a girl who lost over 150 lbs from Reformer Pilates.
 

Burning more Calories than Consumed

 

Working out is a great first step, but alone it may not be enough. You can use the Reformer every day and utilize other forms of exercise, but diet is still a really important factor.

Regardless of how many calories you burn off, that number still has to be greater than the amount consumed. Eating really fatty foods like ice cream, cheese and lots of carbohydrates with tons of calories may make it tough to burn off the necessary calories to lose weight.

According to Mayo Clinic, by cutting out 500-1,000 calories a day you can expect to lose 1 pound a week. (2)
 

Calories Fuel your Body

 
Calories fuel your body and you will likely notice how much better your body feels when you eat clean. This will likely give you the fuel needed to push harder in your Reformer workouts, which in turn will allow you to burn more calories.
 

Supplementary Workouts to aid in Weight Loss

 

In addition to Reformer training, we recommend our clients implement some form of cardio to help with weight loss.

Workout routines like running, cycling, or swimming can help you to burn some additional calories. If you are bored easily through traditional workout routines, you can try sports like tennis, basketball, or soccer, which require a significant amount of running.

Pilates can help you to develop better coordination, balance, and body awareness, which should make it easier to try the workouts/activities we listed. There is a reason why so many athletes implement Reformer workouts into their training regiment.
 

What’s the Verdict?

 
Reformer Pilates Training can help you to lose weight because you will burn calories. However, you still need to burn more calories than you consume. As a result, any workout regiment should be coupled with a healthy diet.
 

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