One question I like to ask brand-new clients is, “Why did you decide to do Pilates?” The response gives me insight into a client’s goals, activity levels, expectations, and how much they know about Pilates, and the body, in general. I get a lot of different answers, but one thing I hear frequently from female clients is their desire to get strong and toned without bulking up. In fact, I’ve met quite a few women who started Pilates because they were worried their usual gym routine was making their bodies look “too bulky” or “too manly.”

Supermodel Hannah Ferguson doing Pilates

Everyone has a different body ideal, but if you’re trying to get that long, lean, ballerina look, Pilates is a great choice. The movements and exercises Pilates employs are designed to tone and strengthen, while elongating the muscles and creating space between the joints. This is what makes Pilates a favorite amongst dancers, models, and other celebrities. A consistent Pilates routine will help you achieve strength, balance, and flexibility. The focus on proper alignment will encourage you to lengthen your body and move correctly. After a workout, you’ll feel loose and limber, less stressed, and you may even notice that you are walking a little bit taller.

As a former dancer, I was looking for an exercise routine that would help me get my “ballet body” back after college. At the time, I wasn’t very active at all. I occasionally attended an adult ballet class, but finding a class that fit into my schedule was difficult and, though I always felt better afterward, I never looked forward to going — it felt like a chore. I tried running, I tried the gym, but I didn’t enjoy the workout. After my first Pilates class, I knew that I had found what I was looking for. I like to tell my clients that Pilates was the first exercise regimen I found that didn’t make me feel like I was going to die. Dramatic? Yes. But I can’t stress enough how important it is to enjoy your workout. From the get go, I loved taking classes and looked forward to the hour in my day that I would get to workout. The results have been amazing. I feel toned, I feel lean, and I feel strong. I got my ballet body back, and then some. I truly believe I am healthier and stronger now than ever before.

Image courtesy of Sports Illustrated

So what exactly does a Pilates class look like? If you’ve seen any of the Pilates machines, you know some of them look like legit torture devices (yes, I’m talking about the Cadillac). However, the machines are easier to use than they look. Business Insider tagged along with Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Hannah Ferguson to film a private Pilates session in New York. Curious? Watch the video; it will give you a good idea of how Pilates works and what types of movement you can expect. All of the exercises in the clip are ones that I do regularly, and I have my clients perform them as well.

I do want to mention the importance of having realistic expectations. Pilates alone is not going to turn you into a supermodel. Your body will not look exactly like Hannah Ferguson’s (and, let’s be real, neither will mine). However, when done consistently, Pilates will help you achieve a stronger, healthier body. And isn’t that a universal ideal?