Comparison of the week: Yoga vs Pilates
Whether yoga or pilates is the better choice for you will depend on what you're trying to achieve as well as on your budget.
We compare virtually everything at Finder and our Comparison of the Week isn't afraid to tackle the big questions. This week we put yoga vs pilates to the test.
If your New Year's resolution (like mine) is to take up some form of exercise, but running, swimming laps or participating in team sports aren't your thing, you might want to consider yoga or Pilates. Both practices offer amazing physical and mental benefits, with a key focus on flexibility, stretching and strength. Unlike other high-intensity workouts like cardio, boot camp or boxing, yoga and Pilates are less intense and lower impact, but are still very effective in improving your muscle strength, tone and endurance.
If you're ready to get your Zen on but aren't exactly sure what the difference is between yoga and Pilates, this comparison will help you decide.
The comparison
Both yoga and Pilates are great choices if you want to work on your flexibility, posture, strength and muscle tone, but there are a few key differences between the two practices.
| Yoga | Pilates | |
|---|---|---|
| Age of the exercise | Yoga has been around for 5,000+ years | Pilates has been around for just over 100 years |
| Key features |
|
|
| Goal of the exercise | To improve your overall quality of life, including both your physical and mental wellbeing. | To improve your body's strength to prevent and cure injury, aches and pains. |
| Equipment | Yoga is mostly done using just an exercise mat. Sometimes it will also incorporate balance blocks. | Pilates often requires an exercise mat plus specialised equipment, including the following:
|
| Popularity | 2.18 million Australians did yoga in 2017 | 1.2 million Australians did Pilates in 2017 |
| Availability | You'll find yoga classes in dedicated yoga studios as well as offered as regular classes at a lot of gyms. | You'll find Pilates classes at dedicated Pilates studios as well as offered by many physiotherapists as part of their ongoing treatment. |
| Cost | Generally about $20-$30 for a class | Typically about $30-$40 per class |
The verdict
If you want to improve your balance, flexibility and muscle tone while also helping combat general stress and anxiety, yoga is a cheaper option with more available classes and studios (due to the growing popularly of the practice).
If you're looking for an exercise to help manage an injury or combat general back, muscle or joint pains such as arthritis while improving your strength, Pilates is the better choice for this. However because of the specialised equipment, a Pilates class is often more expensive.
If you're keen to give yoga or Pilates a go, check out our current Classpass deals to see how much you can save.
We compare virtually everything at Finder, and we're all about helping you make better decisions. Catch up with more of our weekly comparisons, or do your own by heading to the Finder home page to compare credit cards, savings accounts, shopping deals and much, much more. Go on, be a Finder.
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