Is Pilates Difficult?
Okay, so maybe the title’s a bit dramatic. Bodybuilders can technically do Pilates, but if you’ve ever seen a jacked guy try to fold himself into a roll-up or hold a teaser pose, you probably get where the joke comes from.
Pilates and bodybuilding come from two very different worlds. It’s about big lifts, muscle mass, and aesthetics. The other’s about core strength, control, flexibility, and movement quality. So when a bodybuilder walks into a Pilates studio, things can get… interesting.
Here’s why.
Muscle Mass = Less Mobility
Bodybuilders have a ton of muscle. That’s kind of the point. But all that bulk can reduce joint range of motion. The more mass you have—especially in areas like the chest, shoulders, and quads—the harder it is to move freely and stretch deep into positions that Pilates often requires.
Basic Pilates moves like leg circles, spine twists, or even seated stretches can feel way harder if your muscle mass physically gets in the way. It’s not weakness—it’s just logistics.
Strength Isn’t the Same as Control
Here’s the science-y part. Bodybuilding focuses mostly on concentric contractions—think lifting a dumbbell. Pilates, on the other hand, places a ton of emphasis on eccentric control, like slowly lowering your leg or resisting gravity as you roll down your spine.
This kind of control recruits slow-twitch muscle fibers and targets deep stabilizers like the transverse abdominis and pelvic floor muscles. These aren’t always well-developed in bodybuilders, who often train large, surface-level muscles.
So when a bodybuilder hits the mat, it’s not that they’re “weak.” They’re just not used to firing the muscles that Pilates demands.
Flexibility vs. Rigidity
Pilates is all about lengthening while strengthening. But many bodybuilders train in a way that tightens the muscles over time. If you’re not stretching consistently—and let’s be honest, many lifters skip the cooldown—you’ll lose flexibility fast.
Tight hamstrings, stiff hip flexors, and restricted shoulders can all make Pilates moves not just challenging, but nearly impossible to do with good form.
Mind-Body Connection Is a Whole Thing
Pilates isn’t just about moving—it’s about how you move. Precision, breath control, body awareness. It’s more about quality than quantity. For someone used to counting reps and chasing the pump, this can feel completely foreign.
It’s like asking a sprinter to meditate mid-sprint. Different goals, different mindset.
So Should Bodybuilders Avoid Pilates?
Absolutely not. In fact, Pilates can actually benefit bodybuilders more than they think. It improves posture, strengthens smaller stabilizer muscles, reduces injury risk, and increases flexibility. But it’s humbling. You won’t walk in and crush it on day one—and that’s okay.
Adding even one Pilates session a week can balance out all the heavy lifting and bring a new layer of performance most gym-goers never tap into.
Final Thought
So no, bodybuilders can do Pilates—but it’s a whole different beast. It takes patience, humility, and a willingness to move outside the comfort zone. But if you’re serious about strength, stability, and long-term health, mixing in some Pilates might be the smartest flex of all.
