What Pilates Gets Right—And Why It’s Not Enough
Pilates is great. So is spin. And yoga. And walking your dog.
There’s no such thing as bad movement. But there is such a thing as incomplete training.
And when it comes to long-term results—for your body and your brain—strength training is essential.
What Pilates Gets Right
Alignment & control
Pilates teaches precision. It helps people tune into their bodies, build better posture, and activate muscles that often go dormant in daily life.
Core strength that matters
It challenges your deep core—not just your abs—for true functional support. That’s crucial for pelvic floor health, back support, and post-pregnancy recovery.
Low impact, high awareness
Pilates is gentle on joints, high in focus, and meditative in its flow. It’s a great tool for recovery and mobility.
So yes—Pilates is powerful. But it’s not a replacement for real resistance training.
Where It Falls Short
You're not lifting heavy
If you want stronger bones, higher metabolism, and visible muscle tone, you need external load. Bodyweight alone won’t cut it.
It doesn’t build true resilience
Lifting weights challenges your nervous system in a way low-resistance training doesn’t. That kind of stress teaches strength—physically and mentally.
It won’t regulate your hormones or energy the same way
Strength training has been shown to improve sleep, balance hormones, increase energy, and support long-term metabolic health. The difference is noticeable.
Let’s Talk About “Too Bulky”
Worried lifting weights will make you look too muscular?
Let’s be real: that’s not how this works. Don’t believe us? Ask Science.
Women (and most humans, honestly) don’t produce enough testosterone to bulk up without serious, intentional effort. What lifting actually does is reveal your shape, support your joints, and build lean, powerful muscle.
Lifting won’t make you bulky. But it will make you unstoppable.
Do Both. But Don’t Skip the Lifting.
Love Pilates? Keep going. Just don’t stop there!
At CHURCH, we build strength that supports every other kind of movement:
Muscular → through progressive overload & resistance
Mental → through challenge and community
Emotional → through release, resilience, and belonging
Strength Isn’t a Trend. It’s Your Foundation.
Your body was built to be strong. Your nervous system craves stability.
Your future self needs the work you put in now.
So stretch, flow, pulse, and sweat. Just don’t skip the reps.
We’ll be here when you’re ready to get stronger.
Want to see what strength can do for you?
Try your first class at CHURCH Fitness today—your first lift is on us.
