Barre and Pilates both focus on controlled, low-impact strength training, posture work, as well as mobility and flexibility, she says. If you're an avid runner or cyclist, both of these modalities can act as a slow, calmer pairing to your more intense cardio workouts.

The same goes for back squats and other compound movements. All in all, strength training provides more significant benefits than Pilates. It's just as effective for building core strength, engages more muscles, and makes you stronger overall.

Unlike traditional Pilates reformer workouts, which isolate specific muscles individually with faster and lighter reps and longer breaks between exercises, SLT workouts on the Megaformer involve performing deliberately slow movements that use many muscles simultaneously with no rest time between exercises.

If you want to increase your strength and flexibility, Pilates might be the better choice. If you want to improve your overall wellness, you might choose yoga. Still, much depends upon the particular classes available to you and the skills and qualifications of the instructors.