How To Burn Calories With Pilates Exercises

Pilates was invented by Joseph Pilates, who believed that slow, precise movements could affect your balance, strength and flexibility, more so than quick, aerobic movements. Health clubs and fitness centers often offer Pilates classes; you also can perform the exercises at home. While Pilates may seem like a low-key way to work out, it can provide a serious way to burn calories if you practice properly. Work with a trained professional to learn how to sequence your exercises for the most benefit.

Step 1

Find a Pilates trainer through a fitness club, personal trainer or even a Pilates DVD. Look specifically for a trainer who works with sequencing for a calorie-burning workout. As with any new type of exercise, it's always best to work with a trained professional until you know the exercise well enough to train on your own. A trainer can show you the proper form to use while practicing Pilates.

Step 2

Begin your workout with stretching, moving into lower impact exercises to start. During this type of exercise, you stretch and manipulate your body, so you must begin with warm muscles. This also gears your body up for more difficult, calorie-burning moves later on in your routine. Good, lower-impact exercises to begin your workout with include supine side stretches, leg circles and spine twists, according to the book "Pilates" by trainer Rael Isacowitz.

Step 3

Follow your low-impact exercises with movements that are more intermediate in difficulty level. By transitioning immediately into more difficult exercises without giving your muscles a chance to cool down, you amp up your body's calorie-burning capabilities. Perform exercises that require the full use of your body, such as The Hundred or plies with a side lift, suggests "Fitness" magazine. Adding a degree of cardio to your workouts increases your calorie-burning potential.

Step 4

Invest in equipment for your sequenced routines. While a mat is ideal for beginners, adding an exercise ball, circle or even a Reformer can help you move your body in different ways. Add such exercises as leg circles, supported crunches and swan pose so your body constantly is tested in different ways. Changing your routine will help you avoid the dreaded fitness plateau for continuing results.

Step 5

Add cardio to your Pilates workouts. While you can burn calories with Pilates, it's mainly used for strength and flexibility, according to KidsHealth.org. Combining your Pilates workout with a jog, an elliptical routine or aerobics will help you burn more calories.