Are you looking for the perfect pair of physical activities to help you reach your fitness goals? While Pilates can be an excellent form of exercise that helps strengthen and tone your entire body, have you considered what cardio goes well with it?
Low-impact cardio exercises such as running, walking, cycling, or swimming, complement Pilates well as they provide cardiovascular benefits without putting too much strain on the joints.
Combining Pilates and cardio can help improve your overall fitness. Pilates is a great way to strengthen your core muscles and improve flexibility, while cardio is an effective way to burn calories and increase energy levels.
By combining the two, you can reap the benefits of improved health, fitness, range of motion, mental well-being, and more. So what cardio exercises go well with Pilates? In this article we’ll explore the various aerobic exercises that are perfect for pairing with your Pilates sessions.
What cardio goes well with Pilates?
Pilates is an excellent form of exercise that can provide many health benefits, including improved flexibility, posture and core strength. However, incorporating cardio into your routine can help you burn extra calories and increase energy levels.
In order to get the most out of your Pilates practice, it’s important to combine it with an aerobic activity such as running, walking or swimming. Doing this will help strengthen your heart and lungs while building endurance.

For those with existing health conditions, low-impact forms of exercise such as stationary bike riding or using an elliptical machine are also great options for pairing with Pilates. By combining these two forms of physical activity, you will be able to tone and strengthen your entire body while improving your overall fitness level.
No matter what type of exercise program you decide on, make sure to consult a doctor before beginning any new workout routine. This is especially important if you have any existing health issues or heart diseases. With the right combination of exercises and consistency in these workouts, you can enjoy all the benefits that come from having a strong core and improved cardiovascular health!
By combining Pilates and cardio, you can achieve a strong, fit body while improving your overall health and fitness level. So, what are the benefits of this powerful combination? Read on to find out!
Benefits of Pilates and Cardio Combined
Pilates is a great form of exercise that helps improve your flexibility, strength, and posture. However, if you’re looking to take your workout to the next level, consider pairing it with a cardio exercise. Here are 5 benefits of pairing Pilates with a cardio exercise:
1. Burn More Calories
Combining Pilates with a cardio exercise like running, cycling, or jumping rope can help you burn more calories in less time. Cardio exercises elevate your heart rate and burn calories, while Pilates focuses on building lean muscle mass, which in turn burns more calories even when you’re resting.
2. Improve Cardiovascular Health
Doing Pilates alone won’t necessarily improve your cardiovascular health, but when you pair it with a cardio exercise, you’ll reap the benefits of both. Cardio exercises help strengthen your heart and lungs, while Pilates improves your overall fitness level and helps you breathe more efficiently.
3. Boost Your Endurance
Pairing Pilates with a cardio exercise can help you build endurance and stamina. Pilates focuses on slow, controlled movements that require a lot of core strength and stability, while cardio exercises challenge your cardiovascular system and build endurance. When you combine the two, you’ll be able to work out for longer periods of time without getting tired.
4. Tone Your Muscles
Pilates is great for toning and sculpting your muscles, but pairing it with a cardio exercise can help you achieve even better results. Cardio exercises help burn fat and reveal the muscles that you’ve been working on with Pilates, resulting in a more toned and defined physique.
5. Reduce Stress
Both Pilates and cardio exercises are great stress relievers, but when you combine the two, you’ll get even greater stress-reducing benefits. Pilates helps you focus on your breath and clears your mind, while cardio exercises release endorphins that boost your mood and reduce stress.
6. Improved Health and Fitness
Improved health and fitness go hand-in-hand. Regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and combining Pilates with cardio is one of the best ways to achieve this. Not only will it help you tone your muscles and strengthen your core, but it can also reduce stress levels, improve circulation, and increase overall energy levels. Plus, this type of workout targets all major muscle groups in your body without putting too much strain on any single area.
By properly combining Pilates and cardio workouts into your routine, you’ll be able to experience the amazing benefits of improved health and fitness. You’ll notice an increase in strength, flexibility and balance while reducing your risk of developing certain diseases such as heart disease or diabetes. Additionally, regular physical activity has been shown to improve mental health by relieving stress and anxiety while improving cognitive function.
7. Increased Energy Levels
Combining Pilates and cardio is one of the best ways to increase your energy levels. Not only will it help you tone your muscles and strengthen your core, but it will also improve circulation and reduce stress. This type of workout involves exercises that target all major muscle groups without overworking any single area.
Pilates with cardio is a great way to get more energy throughout the day and have fun while doing it! Studies have shown that regular physical activity can improve mental health by relieving stress and anxiety while improving cognitive function. Plus, increased energy levels can help you stay motivated while achieving your fitness goals.
With the right exercise program, you can get on the road to better health and increased energy levels in no time. You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel after just a few sessions!
8. Better Range of Motion
Improving range of motion is an important part of overall health and well-being. Doing Pilates with cardio can help you achieve this goal. Combining these two forms of exercise together helps to stretch, strengthen, and tone the entire body. This type of workout also increases flexibility and core strength while improving your cardiovascular endurance.

By increasing your range of motion, you can reduce the risk of certain health conditions such as heart diseases and joint pain. Plus, better range of motion can make performing everyday activities easier as well as improve your balance and coordination.
9. Strengthened Core Muscles
If you’re looking to strengthen your core muscles and improve your overall fitness, then look no further than Pilates with cardio! Combining Pilates with aerobic exercise can help tone and strengthen your major muscle groups while also improving your balance and coordination. This type of full-body workout can help increase your energy levels as well as reduce stress.
Pilates exercises are great for strengthening your abdominal muscles, back muscles, and core muscles. By doing regular Pilates with cardio workouts, you’ll be able to see improvements in posture, mobility, and stability in no time! Plus, this type of exercise program has also been linked to improved joint function and reduced pain.
When it comes to getting the most out of a Pilates program, it’s important to focus on proper form throughout each exercise. Doing so will ensure that you’re targeting the right muscles while avoiding any potential injury. With the right guidance from a qualified instructor or trainer, you’ll be able to get the most out of each workout session.
10. Improved Mental Well-Being
Exercising with Pilates and cardio can do wonders for your mental well-being. Not only can it help you feel more energized, but it can also reduce stress and provide clarity of mind. Research shows that regular physical activity helps to release endorphins in the brain, which can improve mood and reduce anxiety levels. On top of that, Pilates focuses on core strength and range of motion, which can help you stay balanced both mentally and physically.
Many people find that Pilates classes are incredibly beneficial for their mental health. The focus on proper form and alignment helps to keep them in the moment and allows them to practice mindfulness through movement. Additionally, the low-impact nature of most Pilates exercises makes them a great choice for those with chronic health conditions or heart diseases who may not be able to take part in more intense forms of exercise.
Whatever exercise type you choose, making time for physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your mental wellbeing. Whether you prefer an aerobic workout or a relaxed Pilates session, finding something that works for you is key! With a combination of proper guidance from an instructor or trainer as well as a consistent exercise program, you’ll soon find yourself feeling better mentally as well as physically.
Cardio Exercises That Go Well With Pilates
Cardio exercises can be a great way to complement your regular Pilates practice. Combining the two types of exercise can help you build strength and endurance while simultaneously improving flexibility. Plus, cardio workouts can give you an extra energy boost while also helping to increase your heart rate and burn calories.
When it comes to finding the right type of cardio workout to pair with Pilates, there are plenty of options. For example, brisk walking or jogging is a great low-impact form of exercise that can still provide cardiovascular benefits.
Before you head off on your run try my pre-run workout to activate your glutes:
Combining Pilates and cardio exercises can be a great way to improve your physical fitness, mental wellbeing, and overall quality of life.
There are plenty of aerobic exercises that can help you reach your fitness goals while still being mindful of your body’s needs. These forms of exercise can help you build strength and endurance while also increasing your energy levels. Plus, they’re a great way to burn calories and boost your heart rate.
No matter which type you choose to add to your routine, make sure that it’s challenging enough so that you can feel the benefits but not so hard that it takes away from your overall fitness goals.
And as always, be sure to warm up before beginning any type of physical activity in order to reduce the risk of injury.
Plus, with proper form and guidance from an instructor or trainer, you can ensure that you’re getting the most out of every workout. So if you’re looking for a way to get fit and have some fun while doing it, give Pilates and cardio combination a try!
Sources
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/07daec5cf92d0a9e37f0e2fdd65e12e737755b16
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/73b9d5620dde6ce28a5cfbddff203aefb5060b27
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/fbbff8b3350fc63618d265c214195a58535f395a