Pilates and Tai Chi are two classes that are often grouped together as relaxing exercises that can help you lose weight. Because each develops long, lean muscles and soothes the mind, the exercises have some similarities. However, their differences can help you determine which is best for your exercise needs and goals.
Calories Burned
While the amount of calories you burn during an activity depends on your weight, height, age and gender, you can roughly estimate how many calories you will burn. For Tai Chi, Mayoclinic.com estimates that a 160-pound person will burn 292 calories per hour. A person weighing the same amount will burn slightly less calories performing Pilates. A 160-pound person will burn an estimated 229 calories for an hour of Pilates. If you are looking to maximize your calorie-burning experience, Tai Chi is better than Pilates.
Goals
Pilates involves exercises to strengthen your core muscles, including the abdomen and back. This means Pilates is better at improving your mobility and stability, according to Fitness magazine. Tai Chi involves, slow, controlled movements while standing to help your mobility. In fact, Tai Chi has been shown to reduce the risk for falls in the elderly population among those who have practiced Tai Chi for more than four months, according to US News & World Report. The better exercise for you may depend upon your fitness goals, whether it be mobility or stability.
Benefits
Because Pilates targets the core muscles that provide stability, Pilates can help to ease your back pain, according to Consumer Reports. Additional benefits associated with Pilates include better mental focus because you must concentrate to make the small movements involved. Tai Chi helps to slow bone loss than can occur after menopause. This can prevent the onset of osteoporosis, a bone wasting disease that increases your bone break risk. Tai Chi also helps to ease arthritis pain and boost immunity against conditions like shingles.
Space Requirements/Instructions
Both Pilates and Tai Chi require instruction in order to learn the exercises. DVDs and exercise classes are available to properly learn the moves. However, Pilates can be performed on an apparatus called a reformer, which has resistance bands and a moving platform to strengthen the body. Because the machine can be expensive, you may be limited to a classroom-based or one-on-one training practice. Tai Chi requires limited space to practice, which may make it easier to perform at home. If you wish to have an at-home practice, Tai Chi may be a better choice in terms of space and ease of learning.
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