Pilates is more than just a trendy workout. It can also help you feel empowered and even improve your overall health. And knowing what to wear during the practice can optimize the experience — mentally and physically. But first, let’s unpack what Pilates is and the benefits it can provide.

“At its root, Pilates is a method of physical movement that is designed to stretch, strengthen and balance the body,” says Jessica Schatz, certified master Pilates instructor and integrative wellness coach.

She explains that when people hear the word Pilates, they tend to think of core strength, but that’s not actually the end goal.

“It’s about using the core strength to build and develop functional and sustainable movement patterns throughout the body. Since the core is the center from which all movement stems, Pilates helps you move and breathe better through your daily activities with more freedom, more power and less pain,” says Schatz.

Balance is an essential factor in this low-impact exercise because it relies on the breath to coordinate movement. “As the workout creates optimal strength through the muscles balancing and fine-tuning neuromuscular patterns, it’s also balancing the mind and body, ultimately transforming the way your body functions, feels and looks — but I call the ‘looks’ a bonus feature,” she adds.

While Pilates and yoga share a number of similarities — including strengthening the muscles, improving flexibility and enhancing the mind-body connection — Schatz explains that the principles of each differ.

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The original six guiding principles in Pilates are:

“In very simple terms, yoga has more freedom where Pilates is very controlled,” she says. “Yoga offers spiritual well-being, but in Pilates, there’s a balancing of the body with the core strength. And yoga is an ancient practice that’s been around for thousands of years. The Pilates technique was created in the early 20th century by a mechanical anatomist named Joseph Pilates.”

Before we dive into everything you need to know about what to wear to a Pilates class, let’s review some of the top research-backed health benefits from regularly engaging in the exercise.