Your Pilates session is not only going to challenge you on the Pilates equipment, but it will also include body weight training (using your own bodyweight as resistance), strength training and flexibility work, just like you would encounter with any good personal trainer. Your Pilates instructor will also infuse some cardio elements into your session as well, whether it’s by using the Jump Board or taking you through some general calisthenics off the equipment to elevate that heart rate and give you a well rounded session that’s full body and brings together cardio, strength training and conditioning, and flexibility.
Remember any and almost all exercises designed on the Pilates equipment whether it be the Reformer, Cadillac or Stability Chair is resistance training. It’s also full body. So, in the time that you spend in your private session, you will be building long, lean muscle by using the resistance from the equipment. It’s impossible to “bulk up” in Pilates because of this reason. Muscles get to fully lengthen and flex with or against resistance while maintaining stability throughout the rest of the body and this creates the long, lean muscle, versus traditional equipment at the gym or spin bikes that create a more bulky looking physique.