Pilates & Strength

There’s a lot of conversation around Zone 2 training at the moment, and it’s natural to wonder how this fits alongside Pilates.

Zone 2 training refers to low-to-moderate intensity cardiovascular exercise where you can still hold a conversation, but your heart rate is elevated. 

Think brisk walking, steady cycling, or swimming at a comfortable pace. 

The benefits include improved heart health, better energy efficiency, and long-term metabolic support.

While Pilates is incredibly effective, it isn’t Zone 2 training. 

Pilates focuses on alignment, control, posture, and movement quality rather than sustained cardiovascular output. 

Your heart rate may rise at times, but not consistently enough to deliver the aerobic benefits that Zone 2 provides – and that’s absolutely fine. 

Pilates isn’t meant to do everything.

What Pilates does do is make your cardio more effective by improving how your body moves and copes with load. 

Zone 2 training and Pilates complement each other beautifully.

Pilates and Strength Training – not quite the same thing

Another common misunderstanding is that Pilates on its own counts as strength training.

Traditional Pilates, particularly mat-based work, uses relatively low resistance. 

It improves muscular endurance, coordination, and body awareness, but on its own it doesn’t provide enough load to build or maintain strength, especially as we get older.

This is why our Pilates strength sessions are so valuable.

By adding weights and resistance bands, Pilates becomes true strength training – while still staying true to its principles. 

These sessions focus on:

• Mind–body connection
• Proper alignment before load
• Controlled, purposeful movement

Strength built this way is safer, more effective, and far more sustainable.

The Bigger Picture

You don’t need to do everything. 

A balanced approach might include:

• Pilates for alignment, control, and movement quality
• Strength-based Pilates sessions to maintain muscle and bone health
• Gentle, steady cardio (Zone 2) to support heart health and energy

No trends. 

No gimmicks. 

Just movement that supports your body for the long term.

Sam ‘zoning’ Hobbs