Is Reformer Pilates Good for Weight Loss
If you’ve been searching for a workout that helps you lose weight, you’ve probably seen Pilates come up. But does reformer Pilates actually help with weight loss?
Before I answer that, I want to tell you why I found this style of training in the first place. Because my relationship with fitness hasn’t always looked like it does today.
In my 20s, I was doing what a lot of people do when they’re trying to get in shape. I was doing bootcamps (what many people now call circuit training), OrangeTheory, running, strength training, and pushing myself through intense workouts.
The problem? I wasn’t supporting my body the way I needed to.
I was eating well below what my body needed to support the amount of training I was doing, I was binge-drinking with friends, eating foods that I later found out were making me sick, and then decided to train for my first half marathon.
My body eventually said, “Enough.”
The soreness from traditional strength training combined with running was becoming too much. I wanted to get stronger, but I also wanted a way to train that didn’t leave me feeling like I was constantly recovering from my workouts.
That’s when I found Lagree in California (what we now refer to as Pilates-inspired strength training).
And honestly?
I was hooked.
For the first time, I felt muscles working that I didn’t even know existed—especially my deepest core muscles. I started seeing definition in my body that I had never been able to create before.
And it wasn’t just about how I looked. My running improved too. I went from averaging 9:30 miles to an 8:50 pace for my half marathon.
That experience changed how I viewed fitness.
Weight Loss Routines Are About More Than Burning Calories
Fast forward to opening our first brick-and-mortar studio.
I was working seven days a week, often from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. I wasn’t sleeping enough. I didn’t have much extra money for the quality groceries I knew my body needed. And honestly? I wasn’t moving my body the way I encouraged my clients to move theirs.
I knew something had to change. So I went back to what worked for me in my 20s. I trained for another half marathon. I practiced Pilates-inspired strength training consistently. And I focused on rebuilding the habits I knew mattered.
That alone helped me lose about 25 pounds.
Then I dialed in my nutrition (eating more not less) while continuing Pilates-inspired strength training three times a week, and lost another 20 pounds.
But the biggest lesson wasn’t the number on the scale.It was realizing that the right workout is the one that helps you build a lifestyle you can actually maintain.
So What Strength x Pilates Routine Should I Follow for Weight Loss?
My own journey taught me something that I now see play out with our clients every single day:
The workout is only one piece of the puzzle.
Yes, the right style of training matters. Building lean muscle matters. Challenging your body matters.
But sustainable weight loss comes from creating habits you can actually maintain.
For me, that meant getting back to the basics:
Strength training — because building and maintaining muscle supports a stronger, more capable body (and yes that’s exactly what we do at Core (LP) with pilates-inspired strength training)
Nutrition that supported my goals — including enough protein, carbohydrates, fats, and yes, even things like sugar and salt. Your body needs fuel to perform.
Water — your water bottle should be as close to you as your phone. Hydration impacts energy, performance, and recovery.
Recovery — because your body does not get stronger during the workout. It adapts when you give it the time and resources to rebuild.
Sleep — because your body cannot perform at its best when it never gets a chance to fully recharge.
The biggest mistake I see people make is searching for the one thing that will finally “work.”
The truth is, results come from the combination of small things you do consistently.
The workout you choose should support those habits—not make them harder to maintain.
So…Is Reformer Pilates Good for Weight Loss?
The honest answer:
It depends on the type of Pilates you’re doing.
Traditional Reformer Pilates is incredible for building core strength, mobility, balance, and body awareness. But not every reformer class is designed to create the level of muscular demand needed to build and maintain lean muscle.
Pilates-inspired strength training is different.
This style combines the control and precision of Pilates with the principles of strength training, including:
Progressive overload
Resistance training
Time under tension
Muscular fatigue
At Core (LP), our workouts challenge you to push and pull against significant resistance while maintaining slow, controlled movement.
That matters because building and maintaining muscle plays an important role in changing body composition.
Why Building Muscle Matters for Weight Loss
Many people focus only on the scale. But your body composition tells a much bigger story.
Building muscle can help you:
Feel stronger
Increase energy
Support bone health
Improve confidence
Change how your body looks and feels
And here’s the thing I’ve learned from my own journey and from watching hundreds of clients:
When feeling better and being better becomes the goal—not just losing weight—the results tend to last.
We have clients who have lost 50 pounds after a year of consistently showing up for their 6 a.m. classes. Clients who see noticeable changes in their midsection after 90 days. Clients who tell us they finally feel confident in their clothes again after their first year of truly committing to themselves - and the plan - despite their busy schedule
The workout matters.
But the consistency matters more.
Why Core (LP)?
Core (LP) Berkley + Rochester Hills combines Pilates-inspired movement with strength training principles to create a low-impact workout designed to challenge your muscles and build strength.
Our private sessions and classes use slow resistance, controlled movement, and intentional muscle fatigue to help you create a stronger, mobile and energized self.
Every body responds differently, and weight loss is influenced by many factors including genetics, nutrition, stress, sleep, and consistency. The goal isn’t to chase someone else’s timeline—it’s to build a routine that helps you feel stronger and more confident in your own body.
And the best workout is the one you can keep showing up for. If you’re ready to build consistency and find a place that genuinely supports your journey, schedule your FREE New Client Consult today. You’ll sit down with a Coach, talk about what has and hasn’t worked for you in the past, build a plan, and move towards your goals - LEARN MORE
