Stronger for Life: Why Personal Training and Pilates Are Better Together
- Glenn Morgan MS, MFA
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
When people think about improving their health and fitness, they often feel like they need to choose between Pilates and strength training. The truth is that they complement each other beautifully, like a perfect recipe. Pilates helps you move with better control, improves your posture, strengthens your core, and increases flexibility, while personal training builds strength, muscle, and confidence. Together, they create a balanced approach that helps you move well, feel strong, and enjoy an active lifestyle for years to come.
Think of Pilates as creating the blueprint for great movement, while strength training builds the strong, capable body that carries you through everyday life. Whether your goal is to keep up with your children or grandchildren, travel with confidence, continue enjoying your favorite hobbies, or simply feel stronger getting through your day, combining Pilates with personal training is one of the best investments you can make in your health. A personal trainer works with you to create a program that suits your body, your goals, and your experience level. They'll teach you how to move safely, improve your lifting technique, and gradually build strength in a way that feels achievable. Having someone guide you through each session also means you're far less likely to feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to do, especially if you're new to strength training.
It's never too early to start strength training, but it's also never too late. In fact, strength training becomes even more important as we get older. From around the age of 30, we naturally begin losing muscle mass if we don't actively work to maintain it. This gradual loss of muscle can affect our balance, mobility, bone health, and independence as we age. The good news is that our bodies continue to respond to strength training throughout life. Research shows that adults in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s can build strength, increase muscle mass, and improve their overall quality of life with regular resistance training. When you understand how to engage the right muscles and maintain good posture, your lifting technique becomes more efficient and safer. Better technique means you can lift with confidence, reduce your risk of injury, and get more out of every exercise. You'll learn how to squat, hinge, push, pull, and lift with confidence while reducing unnecessary stress on your joints. Better movement means better results. Strength training then builds those foundations by increasing muscle strength, improving bone density, and helping your body become more resilient.
If you're over 60 and wondering whether it's too late to start strength training, the answer is simple. Absolutely not. In fact, this is one of the most important times to begin.
As we get older, we naturally lose muscle mass in a process called sarcopenia. From around our 30s onwards, we slowly begin losing muscle if we don't actively use it. This loss can make everyday activities more challenging and may increase the risk of falls, injuries, and loss of independence.
The good news is, our bodies continue to respond to strength training at every age. Research has shown that adults in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond can build muscle, improve strength, increase balance, and enhance their overall quality of life through regular resistance training.
Imagine being able to:
Get up from the floor with confidence.
Carry your shopping without struggling.
Walk upstairs without feeling exhausted.
Lift your grandchildren with ease.
Continue gardening, travelling, golfing, or enjoying the hobbies you love.
Strength gives you freedom.
When people hear the word "muscle," they often think about bodybuilders. Healthy muscle helps support your joints, protects your bones, improves balance, boosts your metabolism, regulates blood sugar, and allows you to move through life with confidence.
Maintaining muscle isn't about looking a certain way.
It's about maintaining your independence.
Louise Botham B.S., NASM-CPT
Administrative Assistant and Personal Trainer at Pivot Pilates
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