There are plenty of reasons someone chooses to loose weight, and regardless of how we get there, we all want the same end result: to feel GOOD in our body.
It’s not just about fitting into an old pair of shorts. It’s about being able to feel strong and capable to live the life that brings you the most joy… and it all starts with maintaining healthy muscles… We’re here to help people move better, with knowledge and exercise that they can trust to deliver the results they want.
Healthy weight loss: What we need to consider
Weight loss medications such as Wegovy, Mounjaro and Ozempic have helped many people achieve significant weight loss and improve their health.
However, healthcare professionals and exercise specialists are increasingly highlighting an important message: When losing weight, maintaining muscle matters.
Current recommendations suggest that people using GLP-1 medications should aim for:
- At least 2-3 strength training sessions per week
- Around 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, such as walking
- Adequate protein intake to support muscle maintenance
These recommendations exist because weight loss doesn’t just reduce body fat. Without regular strength training, people can also lose valuable muscle mass.
Why Muscle Matters
Muscle does far more than help us look toned. Healthy muscle tissue helps us:
- Stay strong and independent as we age
- Support our joints and reduce aches and pains
- Improve balance and reduce the risk of falls
- Maintain healthy bones
- Improve posture
- Support metabolism
- Make everyday tasks easier, from carrying shopping to climbing stairs
After the age of 30, we naturally begin to lose muscle mass. This process accelerates during midlife and beyond, particularly for women during and after menopause.
If weight loss is combined with muscle loss, people may find themselves lighter on the scales but not necessarily stronger, healthier or more capable.
Building Strength During Weight Loss
When people lose weight, particularly if weight loss happens quickly, preserving muscle becomes incredibly important. It’s important to find a workout routine that doesn’t completely exhaust us after one session, but something we can show up to consistently. Consistent strength building means we can:
- Strengthening the legs, hips and glutes
- Building upper body strength
- Improving core strength and stability
- Supporting posture as body shape changes
- Improving mobility and movement confidence
- Encouraging better balance and co-ordination
Most importantly, it helps send a message to the body:
“Keep this muscle. We still need it.”
Strength training provides the stimulus our muscles need to remain strong and functional throughout the weight loss process.
So, how can we start healthy maintanence of muscle whilst losing weight?
This is where exercise like Springboard Pilates works very well for anyone wanting to build/maintain their strength, support their weight loss journey and avoid injury or pure exhaustion so they can keep living a life full of joy when outside of the Studio.
It’s more than just a focus on burning calories, but maintaining an exercise routine that helps us stay well for many years to come…
What is Springboard Pilates?
Using spring resistance, the Springboard provides both support and challenge. The springs create resistance throughout the movement, encouraging muscles to work safely and effectively without placing excessive stress on the joints.
This makes it particularly suitable for people who:
- Are new to exercise
- Have not exercised for some time
- Want to build strength without high-impact workouts
- Are carrying extra weight
- Want to protect their joints whilst exercising
- Are looking for a sustainable approach to long-term health
Looking Beyond the Number on the Scales
At Shape It Up Pilates, we believe successful weight loss is about far more than reaching a target number. We want our clients to:
- Feel stronger
- Move more comfortably
- Walk further
- Climb stairs with confidence
- Enjoy holidays and hobbies
- Maintain their independence for years to come
The real goal is not simply weighing less.
The real goal is creating a body that remains capable, resilient and strong throughout life.
Experience it at Shape It Up
If you’re considering starting Pilates, or if you’ve tried it elsewhere and it didn’t quite feel right, we’d love for you to come and experience the difference for yourself with the New Member Intro Offer