Why Combining Weights and Pilates is So Important
At Habitual Health Collective in New Farm, we often get asked:
"I love Pilates — should I also be doing weights?"
Our answer? Absolutely — and here’s why.
While Pilates builds incredible body awareness, mobility, and core strength, adding weight training into your routine can take your health to the next level — setting you up for stronger, more resilient health long-term.
Let’s break it down.
The Power of Pilates
Pilates is one of the best foundations you can give your body. It focuses on:
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Deep core activation and spinal stability
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Controlled, mindful movement
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Improving flexibility and mobility
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Enhancing posture and balance
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Building endurance in small stabilising muscles
It’s brilliant for injury prevention, functional strength, and movement quality.
But while Pilates strengthens your muscles, it typically uses bodyweight or light resistance, meaning it doesn't place the kind of external load on your bones and muscles that heavy weightlifting does.
That’s where strength training comes in.
The Strength Behind Weights
Strength training (aka weight training) involves lifting heavier external loads — like dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, or resistance bands. It’s essential for:
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Building muscle mass (critical for metabolism and body composition)
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Strengthening bones (reducing risk of osteoporosis/osteopenia)
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Enhancing joint stability
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Boosting cardiovascular health
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Improving athletic performance and everyday function
Weight training challenges the muscles and skeletal system in a different, complementary way to Pilates — helping you build the kind of strength that protects your body as you age.
Why You Should Do Both
Think of it like this: Pilates lays the foundation by teaching you how to move well, stabilise your joints, and control your body.
Weights build the house by layering on strength, power, and resilience.
Together, they create a balanced, bulletproof body.
Here’s why combining Pilates and Weight Training is so powerful:
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Reduce injury risk: Strengthen stabilisers with Pilates and build dynamic strength with weights.
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Enhance posture and alignment: Pilates corrects movement patterns so you lift weights more safely and effectively.
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Maximise strength gains: A strong core from Pilates helps you lift heavier with better form.
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Support healthy ageing: Both modalities are essential for maintaining mobility, strength, balance, and bone health as you age.
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Boost body confidence: A combination of flexibility, strength, and muscle tone gives you that feeling of a strong, capable body inside and out.
At Habitual Health Collective, we see it every day: clients who blend Pilates and strength training move better, feel better, and stay stronger — for life.
How Habitual Health Collective Can Help
We’re not about cookie-cutter programs.
Our team of Exercise Physiologists and Pilates instructors in New Farm collaborate to build a program that's right for you — whether you're just getting started, returning from injury, or chasing bigger goals.
You can book:
✅ Clinical or Reformer Pilates sessions
✅ Small group strength training
✅ Tailored Exercise Physiology plans that blend Pilates + weights seamlessly
We’ll meet you where you are — and help you get where you want to go.
📍 Find us at 608 Brunswick Street, New Farm
📞 Ready to build a strong, resilient body? Contact us at contactus@habitualhealthcollective.com or call 0481988706.
