Mat or Equipment... Which is better?

Have you ever wondered what is better- Mat Pilates or Equipment Pilates?  Or maybe you are curious about what the difference is between mat work and equipment work.  Keep reading and hopefully we’ll answer your questions!

First of all it’s important to realize that Pilates is a method of exercise and there are lots of different ways you can practice Pilates. The effectiveness of the Pilates work doesn’t necessarily come from having a particular piece of equipment to use, but really comes from HOW you do it. That being said, Pilates equipment was to designed to help you learn the method more efficiently and to allow your body lots of different variations to perform different movements.

What is Mat Pilates?

When we talk about Mat Pilates, we are talking about using the Pilates method to do exercises using only your own body as resistance. Sometimes mat work incorporates small props such as a small ball, a theraband or the Pilates Magic Circle (a small ring that provides flexible resistance). Joseph Pilates created a sequence of exercises that is often called the traditional Pilates Mat sequence. Since the method is highly adaptable to any body, there are lots of different variations of these exercises that can be incorporated into any workout. The mat work is especially nice when you are traveling or just don’t have access to any equipment.

What is  Pilates Equipment?

Joseph Pilates designed spring based equipment to support and advance the body while practicing the Pilates method of exercising. The movements that are done during mat work and while using the equipment are very similar. The springs of the equipment are often referred to as extra muscles, or an extension of the body.  They allow the body to experience a movement that they maybe could not do otherwise. They help teach the body how to move properly so that it can repeat that movement in other situations.

So… What should you do?

We encourage you to try both!

What are the benefits of doing both?

Variety creates optimal results!

Is Mat or Equipment better? 

Both Mat and Equipment Pilates are great for your body and equally effective.   If you have the opportunity we suggest using a variety of both mat work and equipment work to help you strengthen, balance and align your body to receive optimal results!