>>>TRAINING WITH
BY KYLE GOLDEN, CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER
Kyle
"Both Pilates and yoga can help an athlete improve their sport performance."
Today it seems that we have so many options to get or stay fit. It can be hard to figure out which option is best to help you reach your goals or objectives.
Two very popular practices that many people try are Pilates and yoga. As a trainer, I have been asked which practice is better and what the difference is between the two.
Both Pilates and yoga have similar concepts and movements within their respective practices but they also have key differences. One practice is not necessarily better than the other, this question must be answered by the person looking to improve their body and mind.
Both Pilates and yoga can help an athlete improve their sport performance. Both practices help develop mind-body awareness, improve balance and flexibility and even increase strength in different ways than traditional weight training.
The meditative aspect of yoga can help an athlete become more aware of their body and possibly help any sport related injuries heal faster if performed properly and prevent them from happening in the future.
The practice of Pilates focuses on core strength and balance, which is essential to most sports. There is no question that both practices could dramatically improve an athlete’s performance.
Let’s look at some differences and similarities of these practices:
Differences
• Pilates is mostly focused on core strength and improving life movements. Yoga includes core-strengthening exercises but is focused more on flexibility and stretching.
• While mat Pilates is similar to yoga, the Pilates practice can incorporate specialized equipment to aid in the practice depending on the goals like reformers. Traditionally, yoga requires little to no special equipment.
• In both Pilates and yoga there is a mind/body connection. However, in yoga more emphasis is placed on developing inner awareness and can be more meditative.
Similarities
• Many movements and poses are shared by both practices. For example the Pilates pushup and the plank to chaturanga in yoga are very similar.
• While both practices are great for goals of strengthening and flexibility neither are high calorie burning activities. Therefor, if significant weight loss is a goal a cardio routine will need to supplement either practice.