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This was a feisty conversation.

The conversation was inspired by an article from Mikala Jamison on Substack, entitled 'The Long Con of Pilates Culture.'

This is by no means a takedown of Pilates as a movement modality. I (Christine) am a Pilates teacher myself and swear by its considerable benefits, however, I would not be inclined to direct a client to Pilates if they wanted to increase muscle mass or bone density.

You can absolutely build strength in Pilates, and you can improve muscle endurance, joint stability, balance, core connection, and so much more (especially at the beginning of your Pilates journey),  but there is no progressive overload. After a while, the 2kg dumbbells simply won't be enough of a stimulus to create the adaptations we're looking for, as 40+ women trying to counteract the loss of muscle mass and bone density decade upon decade.

"But Pilates creates long, lean muscles", I hear you cry.  Does it though? Or is the 'long, lean muscle phenomenon is "fitness marketing fuckery at its finest."

Muscles are literally attached to bones. There is an origin and an insertion point.  You can grow them but you can't make them longer and leaner.  This is just a diet culture marketing ploy aimed at women.

More than anything through this conversation, we want to arm women with the truth.  If you like Pilates, like how you feel doing Pilates, that is fantastic and as we said, it has incredible benefits, but simply does NOT equate to strength training.

In terms of Muscle mommies vs Pilates princesses, I reject this reductive terminology. I don't enjoy labels. You can do both.  You have autonomy.  We urge you through this podcast to reject the toxic fitness marketing, find a source you trust and most importantly, find what feels good for YOUR body.

Inclusive Pilates Accounts:

@fatbodypilates @plus.size.pilates @neutral.pilates @lityogalife

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Please reach out if you would like some support with your relationship to food OR movement. Ela currently has limited spaces for Intuitive Eating coaching and if you'd like to reconnect with movement, contact Christine. If you'd like exclusive access to our supporter-only channel click here.

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