Adding weights to Pilates can make a familiar workout feel completely different.

A pair of light dumbbells can turn a simple arm sequence into a surprisingly demanding endurance challenge. Ankle or wrist weights can increase the load your muscles need to control. Resistance bands can change where an exercise feels hardest. And on a Pilates Reformer, spring resistance already provides another way of loading movement without using traditional weights at all.

But does adding weights automatically make Pilates better?

Not necessarily.

Weighted Pilates can be a useful way to add resistance, variety and progression to a Pilates workout, but more weight is not always better — and adding a dumbbell to every exercise does not automatically turn Pilates into a superior strength-training program.

The best approach depends on what you are trying to achieve, the exercise you are performing, your experience and how the resistance changes the movement.

In this guide, we look at what Pilates with weights actually is, whether weighted Pilates can build strength or muscle, how much weight beginners should use, dumbbells vs resistance bands, weighted Mat and Reformer Pilates, and how Pilates with weights fits alongside traditional resistance training.

What Is Pilates With Weights?

Pilates with weights simply means incorporating external resistance into a Pilates-style workout.

That resistance might come from:

light dumbbells
hand weights
wrist weights
ankle weights
resistance bands
a Pilates ring
weighted balls
Reformer springs
or other resistance-based equipment.

The movements may still use familiar Pilates principles such as controlled movement, coordination, breathing, trunk stability and deliberate positioning, but the muscles now have additional resistance to manage.

That can change the difficulty of an exercise considerably.

It can also change what the exercise is challenging.

Is Pilates With Weights Better Than Pilates Without Weights?

Neither is automatically better.

They simply create different training demands.

Traditional Mat Pilates can already be challenging without holding a single dumbbell. Your body weight, gravity, lever length, movement speed and position can all create muscular resistance.

Add weights and you introduce another variable.

That may be useful when the additional load supports the purpose of the exercise.

But there are also exercises where adding weight can make you lose control, shorten your range, compensate elsewhere or turn a precise Pilates movement into something completely different.

So the better question is not:

“Are weights better?”

It is:

“Would additional resistance improve this exercise for what I am trying to achieve?”

Can You Use Weights During Pilates?

Yes.

Weights are commonly incorporated into contemporary Pilates-inspired workouts, particularly Mat Pilates, Pilates sculpt classes and strength-based Pilates sessions.

They may be used for exercises involving the arms, shoulders, upper back, legs and whole body.

For example, a standing sequence might incorporate dumbbells while you perform controlled squats, lunges or upper-body movements.

A supine exercise might combine controlled leg movement with arm presses or raises.

A kneeling sequence might use weights to increase the challenge through the shoulders and upper body.

The important part is that the weight should serve the movement — rather than simply being added because holding weights makes the workout look harder.

Does Adding Weights Make Pilates More Effective?

It can make certain exercises more demanding, but “more effective” depends entirely on what you mean.

If your goal is to increase the resistance placed on particular muscles, adding weight may help.

If your goal is movement control, balance, coordination or learning a new Pilates exercise, additional weight may not be necessary at all.

Likewise, if adding resistance causes your technique to deteriorate significantly, the heavier version may actually be less useful for the original purpose of the exercise.

This is why good exercise programming involves more than continually making everything heavier.

Resistance is one tool.

Range of motion, repetitions, tempo, leverage, stability, exercise complexity and total training volume can also change the challenge.

Does Pilates With Weights Build Strength?

Weighted Pilates can challenge muscular strength and muscular endurance.

Muscles can be challenged by resistance from dumbbells, springs, resistance bands, machines or your own body weight — but the amount of resistance, exercise selection and progression determine the training stimulus.

However, the amount of resistance and the way your program progresses still matter.

A 2022 systematic review comparing Pilates with other forms of exercise examined dynamic strength, isometric strength and muscular endurance. The authors found very-low to low-certainty evidence suggesting Pilates produced broadly similar outcomes to other forms of exercise across those measures rather than being clearly superior.

That is an important distinction.

Pilates can absolutely challenge muscles.

But we do not need to claim it is somehow a better form of strength training than every other option.

Can Pilates With Weights Build Muscle?

Potentially, but the answer depends on the training stimulus.

Building muscle requires sufficient muscular challenge over time.

Very light weights can feel difficult when combined with long sets, slow movement or extended arm positions, but feeling a burning sensation does not automatically mean the program is optimised for muscle growth.

If increasing muscle size is one of your main goals, you generally need enough resistance and progression to continue challenging the muscles involved.

Weighted Pilates may contribute to that stimulus, particularly for someone who is relatively new to resistance exercise.

But somebody who is already strong may need substantially more resistance for certain muscle groups than a light Pilates dumbbell can provide.

This is where Pilates and traditional strength training can complement each other beautifully rather than competing.

Is Pilates With Weights Strength Training?

It can be.

Strength training is not defined by whether you are standing beside a squat rack.

If your muscles are working against meaningful resistance, you are creating a strength-related training stimulus.

The Australian Government’s current physical activity recommendations for adults include muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days each week as part of an overall active lifestyle.

The key question is whether your particular Pilates program provides enough muscular challenge across the areas you want to develop.

A weighted Pilates session might contribute substantially.

Another Pilates session may be focused much more heavily on mobility, control or coordination.

The class name alone does not tell you the entire training stimulus.

Pilates With Weights vs Weight Training

This is where people often accidentally compare two things that can overlap.

Traditional resistance training may involve:

dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, cable machines, resistance machines, bands or body-weight exercises.

Pilates with weights may use some of exactly the same equipment.

The difference is often in the style of programming, exercise selection, tempo, repetition ranges and movement emphasis.

A Pilates session may place more emphasis on controlled movement, trunk stability, coordination and maintaining particular body positions while the limbs move.

A conventional strength session may place greater emphasis on progressively increasing the amount of force a muscle can produce through movements such as squats, presses, rows, hinges and pulls.

There is no reason these need to be mutually exclusive.

If you are wondering whether Pilates can completely replace conventional resistance training, we have a separate guide exploring whether Pilates can replace weight training.

Will Pilates With Weights Make Women Bulky?

No — simply picking up a pair of dumbbells during Pilates will not suddenly create large amounts of muscle.

Muscle development is influenced by training volume, resistance, progression, nutrition, genetics and consistency over time.

For many women, becoming stronger actually supports exactly the kind of outcome they are looking for: feeling firmer, stronger, more capable and more confident in their body.

And particularly as we move through our 40s, 50s and beyond, maintaining muscle and strength becomes an increasingly valuable part of looking after ourselves.

You do not need to avoid resistance because you are worried that lifting a 1 kg, 2 kg or 3 kg weight will suddenly make you excessively muscular.

Your body simply does not change that dramatically from a few weighted Pilates sets.

What Size Weights Should You Use for Pilates?

There is no universal Pilates weight that is right for everyone.

The appropriate resistance depends on:

the exercise
your current strength
the number of repetitions
how long you hold the weight
your arm or leg position
the intended purpose of the exercise
and whether you can maintain the required level of control.

A weight that feels extremely light during a traditional biceps curl might feel surprisingly difficult when your arms are extended away from your body for an extended Pilates sequence.

Likewise, a weight you comfortably use for a squat may be completely inappropriate for a smaller shoulder exercise.

The number printed on the dumbbell does not tell you how difficult an exercise will feel.

Are 1 kg Weights Enough for Pilates?

They can be.

One-kilogram weights are commonly enough to noticeably change the challenge of longer upper-body Pilates sequences, particularly when the arms stay extended or move continuously.

For a beginner, that may provide plenty of resistance.

For a stronger participant performing a larger compound movement, 1 kg may provide very little additional challenge.

Again, the exercise matters.

Are 2 kg Weights Too Heavy for Pilates?

Not automatically.

For some people and some exercises, 2 kg will feel very manageable.

For others, it may be far too much for the movement being performed.

This is why selecting weights according to the person and the exercise makes far more sense than declaring one particular number to be the official Pilates weight.

If you cannot maintain reasonable control, comfortably grip the weight or perform the intended range of movement, reducing the load is often the smarter progression.

Can Beginners Do Pilates With Weights?

Yes, but beginners do not need weights to make Pilates worthwhile.

When you are learning a new exercise, you are already processing:

where your body should be positioned
how the movement works
how to breathe
which direction you are moving
how to control the range
and often an entirely new set of Pilates terminology.

Adding weights immediately can create another thing to think about.

Sometimes it makes sense to learn the movement first.

Once the pattern feels familiar, resistance can be introduced where appropriate.

If you’re completely new to Pilates, our Pilates & Reformer classes include beginner-friendly options designed to help you understand the foundations before progressing.

Can You Use Dumbbells in Mat Pilates?

Yes.

Dumbbells are one of the easiest ways to add resistance to Mat Pilates because they are widely available, relatively inexpensive and can be used for many different exercises.

They can be incorporated into standing, kneeling, seated and lying sequences depending on the workout.

However, dumbbells are not automatically appropriate for every Mat Pilates exercise.

Some movements already create significant demand through body weight and lever length.

In others, weights may shift attention away from the intended movement or make positioning unnecessarily difficult.

Can You Do Pilates With Weights at Home?

Absolutely.

One of the advantages of small Pilates weights is that they require very little space.

A mat and one or two pairs of dumbbells can create a surprisingly versatile home setup.

You could also use resistance bands, a Pilates ball or a Pilates ring depending on the types of sessions you enjoy.

If you’re building your own home exercise space, read our complete guide to Pilates at home vs studio Pilates, which covers beginner equipment, home Reformers and whether you need equipment at all.

Dumbbells vs Resistance Bands for Pilates

Both can work well, but they provide resistance differently.

A dumbbell is affected primarily by gravity.

That means its effect changes as your body and the weight move relative to gravity.

A resistance band generally becomes more resistant as it stretches.

That means the resistance can increase through part of the exercise.

Neither is inherently superior.

They simply allow an instructor or home exerciser to create different challenges.

In fact, having both can give you substantially more exercise options than repeatedly purchasing heavier versions of the same accessory.

What About Pilates Rings and Small Balls?

A Pilates ring, sometimes called a magic circle, can provide resistance when you press inward or pull outward depending on how it is used.

A small Pilates ball can provide feedback, support or a small amount of resistance.

These accessories can be very useful, but they do not necessarily replace weights.

Each tool changes an exercise in a different way.

This is one reason we do not think everybody needs to own every Pilates accessory the moment they start.

Buy equipment because you know what you want to do with it — not simply because a 12-piece Pilates set looks impressive online.

Are Wrist Weights Good for Pilates?

Wrist weights can make some Pilates sequences more challenging without requiring you to actively grip a dumbbell.

This may be convenient during flowing upper-body sequences where the hands need to remain free.

But because the weight remains attached throughout the movement, it is important to remember that you cannot simply put the dumbbell down halfway through an exercise.

Start conservatively and make sure the resistance is appropriate for the movements you are performing.

Are Ankle Weights Good for Pilates?

Ankle weights can increase the load involved in some leg exercises.

Because the resistance sits near the end of your leg, even a relatively small amount of additional weight can noticeably change the demand of an exercise.

That does not mean every leg exercise becomes better with ankle weights.

If the extra load causes you to lose the intended position or creates discomfort, remove it.

There is no prize for making an exercise heavier than it needs to be.

What About Reformer Pilates — Isn’t That Already Weighted?

Reformer Pilates already uses resistance, but not usually in the form of traditional weights.

A Reformer uses springs attached to a moving carriage.

Those springs can provide resistance, assistance or alter the stability demands of an exercise depending on the setup.

This is why simply saying “more springs equals harder” is not always correct.

In some exercises, stronger springs increase the force you need to produce.

In others, they may make the carriage feel more supported.

If you want a deeper explanation of how Reformer resistance works, our Pilates & Reformer guide explains the differences between Mat and equipment-based Pilates.

Can You Add Dumbbells to Reformer Pilates?

Yes, dumbbells can be incorporated into some Reformer exercises.

But a Reformer already gives you several ways of changing resistance and exercise difficulty.

Adding hand weights should therefore have a reason.

For example, an instructor might introduce an upper-body load during a lower-body Reformer movement to create a more integrated exercise.

But simply holding dumbbells throughout an entire Reformer class does not automatically make the session more advanced or more effective.

Why Can Light Weights Feel So Hard in Pilates?

This surprises many people.

You can comfortably lift a much heavier dumbbell in a conventional strength exercise and then find yourself desperately wanting to put down a tiny Pilates weight.

There are several reasons.

Pilates-inspired weighted sequences often use:

longer time under tension
higher repetitions
extended arm positions
continuous movement
smaller rest periods
slow tempo
combined upper- and lower-body movements.

Holding a small weight far away from your body also increases the mechanical demand compared with keeping it close.

So light does not necessarily mean easy.

Does the Pilates Burn Mean the Exercise Is Working?

The familiar muscular burning sensation during a long Pilates set often reflects local muscular fatigue.

It can certainly tell you that a muscle is working hard.

But the burn should not become the only way you judge exercise quality.

A session does not need to create an enormous burning sensation to be useful.

And making every exercise burn as much as possible is not a complete programming strategy.

Strength, endurance, control, mobility and coordination can all require slightly different approaches.

Can Pilates With Weights Tone Your Arms?

The word “tone” is commonly used to describe wanting muscles to look firmer or more defined.

Resistance training can help develop muscle, including through the arms and shoulders.

Weighted Pilates may contribute to this by providing repeated muscular resistance.

However, visible muscle definition is also influenced by genetics, overall muscle mass and the amount of body fat covering the muscle.

No particular Pilates arm sequence can selectively remove fat from your arms.

But it can certainly make your upper body work.

Can Pilates With Weights Help Your Glutes?

Yes — depending on the exercises and the way they are loaded.

Your gluteal muscles can be challenged through movements such as bridges, squats, lunges, hip extension and other lower-body exercises.

Weights can increase the resistance involved.

However, if building considerably stronger or larger glutes is a major goal, the amount of resistance required may eventually exceed what is practical with very light Pilates weights.

That is another situation where Pilates and conventional strength training can work together rather than having to choose one.

Pilates With Weights for Women Over 40

Adding appropriate resistance can be particularly valuable as women move through their 40s, 50s and beyond.

The goal does not need to be becoming smaller.

For many women, building and maintaining strength becomes increasingly important because we want bodies that continue to feel capable — carrying groceries, lifting things, getting up from the floor, travelling, gardening, working and enjoying life.

Pilates can contribute to an active lifestyle, and weighted Pilates gives us another way to progressively challenge the muscles.

But it does not need to replace every other form of exercise.

The current Australian physical activity recommendations encourage adults to include a mixture of aerobic activity, muscle-strengthening work and functional activities targeting mobility, balance and coordination.

That is a much more useful model than trying to make one single workout do absolutely everything.

Will Pilates With Weights Help With Weight Loss?

Weighted Pilates can contribute to your overall physical activity, but adding dumbbells does not transform Pilates into a guaranteed weight-loss program.

Changes in body weight are influenced by overall energy intake and expenditure as well as many individual factors.

Resistance exercise can still be extremely valuable even when weight loss is not the primary goal because strength and muscle matter independently of the number on the scales.

If body composition is one of your goals, our guide to Pilates and belly fat explains why exercise cannot selectively remove fat from one part of the body.

Does Weighted Pilates Count as Cardio?

Sometimes a weighted Pilates class can raise your heart rate considerably, particularly when exercises flow continuously with minimal rest.

But that does not automatically make it equivalent to dedicated cardiovascular training.

Different sessions create different demands.

You might use Pilates for strength, control and mobility while also walking, running, cycling, swimming or attending higher-energy fitness classes for additional cardiovascular activity.

The goal is not to force Pilates to tick every possible fitness box.

The goal is to build an exercise routine that collectively supports what you want from your body.

When Should You NOT Add More Weight?

Adding resistance is not always the correct progression.

Consider staying with a lighter load — or removing the weight — if:

you can no longer control the movement
you dramatically shorten your range just to complete the exercise
you begin holding your breath unnecessarily
you feel pain rather than ordinary muscular effort
the weight changes the exercise away from its intended purpose
you are still learning the basic movement
or you simply cannot maintain a comfortable grip on the equipment.

Sometimes progression means heavier.

Sometimes it means slower.

Sometimes it means a longer lever, greater range, better control, an additional repetition or a more challenging exercise variation.

Should Pilates Always Use Light Weights?

No.

There is nothing inherently Pilates-specific about a 1 kg dumbbell.

The resistance should suit the exercise.

Some Pilates-inspired movements may work beautifully with light hand weights because they involve extended arms and long sets.

Other movements — such as squats, deadlift patterns or lower-body strength exercises — may allow considerably heavier resistance if that fits the program and participant.

It is the movement and training goal that should determine the load.

Can You Progress Pilates Without Buying Heavier Weights?

Absolutely.

You can progress an exercise by changing several variables, including:

repetition number
tempo
range of movement
lever length
balance demands
exercise complexity
time under tension
rest periods
or the type of resistance used.

This can be particularly useful for home Pilates when you do not want an entire rack of dumbbells taking over your house.

Resistance bands are another space-efficient way of adding multiple levels of resistance to a home setup.

What Pilates Equipment Is Worth Buying for Weighted Pilates?

If you want to add more resistance to your Pilates workouts, you do not need to purchase everything at once.

A practical collection might eventually include:

a comfortable Pilates mat
one or two pairs of dumbbells
resistance bands in different strengths
a small Pilates ball
a Pilates ring
optional wrist or ankle weights
and grip socks if you also attend Reformer classes.

What you actually need depends on the workouts you perform.

As Bodi Boutique expands its Pilates equipment range, our goal is to create practical guides that explain what different pieces of equipment actually do — rather than convincing you that you need a cupboard full of accessories before you can start.

Pilates With Weights vs Reformer Pilates: Which Provides More Resistance?

They provide resistance differently, so there is no single answer.

Dumbbells provide a relatively predictable external load influenced by gravity.

Reformer springs create changing resistance through the carriage and straps and can also provide assistance depending on the exercise.

A heavy dumbbell exercise might provide substantially more resistance for one muscle group.

A Reformer exercise might create a completely different challenge involving stability, control and spring tension.

One is not automatically more advanced.

The programming matters more than the equipment label.

Is Weighted Pilates Harder Than Reformer Pilates?

Not necessarily.

A challenging Reformer session can be extremely demanding.

A difficult weighted Mat class can also be extremely demanding.

Likewise, both can be gentle.

The difficulty depends on the exercises, resistance, duration, rest periods and your own current capacity.

If you would like to understand the broader differences, read our guide to Mat vs Reformer Pilates.

Is Pilates With Weights Good for Beginners?

It can be, provided the session is genuinely designed for beginners.

The presence of weights does not automatically make a class advanced.

A beginner weighted Pilates session might use simple exercises, low resistance, slower transitions and plenty of instruction.

An advanced session might combine complex movements, longer sets, heavier resistance and faster transitions.

Look at the programming — not just the equipment.

Should You Start With Regular Pilates Before Weighted Pilates?

You do not need to complete a particular number of traditional Pilates sessions before you are allowed to pick up a weight.

However, learning basic movement patterns first can make it easier to understand how the additional resistance changes an exercise.

If you are nervous about starting in a group, private Pilates is another option.

Bodi Boutique offers private Pilates and Reformer sessions for people who prefer more individual guidance before joining a class or progressing their training.

Can Pilates With Weights Replace the Gym?

That depends entirely on what you expect the gym to provide.

If your goal is general movement, muscular endurance, some strength work and an exercise style you genuinely enjoy, weighted Pilates may form a substantial part of your weekly routine.

If your goal is maximising strength or muscle growth, access to progressively heavier resistance may become valuable.

Likewise, if cardiovascular fitness is important to you, you may still want additional aerobic activity.

There is no requirement to identify as either a Pilates person or a gym person.

You are allowed to use the best parts of both.

A Balanced Week Might Include Both Pilates and Weights

For many women, the answer is not to find one perfect form of exercise.

It is to create a realistic combination.

For example, your week might include Pilates or Reformer classes, dedicated strength training, walking or cardiovascular exercise, and shorter home Pilates sessions when convenience matters.

That allows different sessions to do different jobs.

Some days you might focus on heavier resistance.

Another day might be about control, mobility and coordination.

Another might simply involve getting outside and walking.

A sustainable routine does not need to look identical every day.

For Pilates Instructors: Adding Weight Should Have a Purpose

Weights can make Pilates programming more interesting, but they can also become an easy shortcut for making a class feel harder.

Before adding resistance, it is useful to ask:

What is the intended purpose of this exercise?
Which muscles are we trying to challenge?
Does the weight improve that challenge?
Can participants still perform the movement with appropriate control?
Is the resistance suitable for the duration of the set?
Does the participant need an unweighted option?
Would a band, spring or different exercise progression work better?

This becomes particularly important in mixed-level group classes.

The strongest person in the room and the newest participant probably do not need identical resistance.

Good programming gives participants somewhere to start and somewhere to progress.

As Bodi Boutique develops its instructor resource library, weighted Pilates programming is an area we plan to explore in greater depth — including class structures, equipment-based progressions and practical programming ideas for instructors.

So, Is Pilates Better With Weights?

Sometimes.

And sometimes it is better without them.

Weights can add resistance, increase muscular demand, introduce new progression options and create variety within Pilates.

But the Pilates exercise does not become automatically superior the moment you pick up a dumbbell.

The best resistance is the resistance that makes sense for the movement, your body and your goal.

If you enjoy Pilates and also want to become stronger, weighted Pilates can be one useful part of the picture.

And if you enjoy traditional strength training as well?

Even better.

You do not need to choose between moving beautifully and becoming strong.

Try Pilates & Reformer at Bodi Boutique

Bodi Boutique offers small-group Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates in Millmerran, Queensland, with options for beginners through to more experienced participants.

Our approach is progressive rather than one-size-fits-all — helping you learn the foundations, develop control and introduce additional challenge as you become more confident.

We also offer private Pilates and Reformer sessions if you prefer individual attention or would like additional guidance before joining a group.

Explore Pilates & Reformer at Bodi Boutique →

Explore Private Pilates & Reformer Sessions →

Frequently Asked Questions About Pilates With Weights

Can you do Pilates with weights?

Yes. Dumbbells, wrist weights, ankle weights, resistance bands, Pilates rings and other forms of resistance can all be incorporated into Pilates-style exercise. The appropriate resistance depends on the exercise and your individual strength and experience.

Does Pilates with weights build muscle?

Weighted Pilates can contribute to muscular development when the resistance provides sufficient challenge. However, people whose primary goal is maximising muscle growth may eventually require heavier progressive resistance than some Pilates workouts provide.

Does Pilates with weights count as strength training?

It can. If the exercises place meaningful resistance on your muscles, weighted Pilates can contribute to muscle-strengthening activity. Whether it provides all the strength work you need depends on your program, resistance and goals.

What weight should a beginner use for Pilates?

There is no universal starting weight. Beginners should choose resistance that allows them to perform the exercise with reasonable control and range. Some Pilates arm sequences may feel challenging with very light weights, while larger lower-body movements may tolerate considerably more resistance.

Are 1 kg weights good for Pilates?

One-kilogram weights can be a useful starting option for many upper-body Pilates sequences, particularly those involving extended arms or longer sets. They may be too light for some exercises and too challenging for others depending on the individual.

Can I use 2 kg weights for Pilates?

Yes, if 2 kg is appropriate for the exercise and your current strength. Weight selection should be based on movement quality and the intended training demand rather than following one fixed Pilates weight recommendation.

Can you use dumbbells during Reformer Pilates?

Yes, dumbbells can be incorporated into some Reformer exercises. However, the Reformer already provides spring resistance, so additional weights should be used when they support a specific programming goal rather than simply to make the exercise feel harder.

Is Pilates with weights enough exercise?

It can contribute to a well-rounded exercise routine, but no single workout automatically provides every aspect of fitness. Australian physical activity recommendations encourage adults to include aerobic activity, muscle-strengthening activity and functional movement across the week.

Will Pilates with weights make me bulky?

Using light or moderate weights during Pilates will not suddenly create large amounts of muscle. Significant muscle growth requires appropriate resistance, training volume, progression, nutrition and consistency over time.

Can I do weighted Pilates at home?

Yes. A mat and a small selection of dumbbells or resistance bands can create a very versatile home Pilates setup. You do not need a large collection of equipment to begin.

Related Bodi Boutique guidance

Resistance Bands vs Dumbbells: Which Is Better for Beginners?

Research & Further Reading

About the Author

Jazz is the owner and operator of Bodi Boutique, a boutique Pilates, Reformer, fitness and wellness studio in Millmerran, Queensland.

Jazz completed her Certificate III in Fitness in 2016 and has approximately 10 years of experience across the fitness, beauty and wellness industries. Her Pilates education includes training through Online Fitness Education, Studio Pilates and Core Collab.

As an active Pilates and Reformer instructor, Jazz regularly works with resistance in different forms — including body weight, Reformer springs, resistance bands, small Pilates equipment and weights — and understands that making an exercise more challenging is not simply a matter of making it heavier.

Her approach to Bodi Boutique content combines hands-on teaching experience with evidence-informed research to help women better understand their exercise options, choose appropriate progression and build routines that support strength, confidence and long-term movement.