Pilates is making my shoulders big

[FaiIureToLunch]

I’ve been doing about two hours of Pilates a day for the past six months

In the last week I’ve noticed that my shoulders are suddenly much wider. I’m never going to stop Pilates so just need to live with it but is there anything I can do to offset this? I’m no longer able to get into my favourite coat although overall I’m in great shape.

Just be delighted you look fab in gym wear, swim wear, summer tops. Embrace them. I very much doubt its the pilates building your shoulders though - are your kettlebells heavy!?

Not necessarily at all. Kettlebells are used for squats, deadlifts, lunges. Many lower body focussed exercises. Just holding a kettlebell whilst doing these won't build back and shoulder muscles.

Another wide shoulder woman here. When I started swimming lots I got bigger shoulders and I didn't like it as my shoulders are already wide!

I think it could be because of better posture?!

Agree, unless OP is doing reformer or using resistance bands for mimicking rowing on the reformer.

@Sleeptastic Interesting - I know nothing about the reformer, only mat work! I can see how a rowing movement would develop muscle in upper body. The suggestion of better posture also makes sense, in that rounded shoulders may appear wider with stabilisation and also shorter muscles may lengthen, freeing shoulder into more natural position. I suppose shoulder width is more down to bone structure really.

Oh ok. All the exercises we were shown with them at the gym were swings, lifts and all shoulder/arm stuff. We didn't do lunges or squats with them - they gave us sandbags for that 😫

Swimming and weights have caused muscle gain on my arms and shoulders. I'm heavy legged anyway. My tops are all fine on bust/ waist, but I'm susceptible to being snug on the upper arms/ shoulders. It's annoying as if I up-size so I can use my arms fully, clothes end up being voluminous on the body. Fitted items in inflexible fibres (such as cotton shirts or jackets) tend to not work very well for me; I need looser fits or stretchy fabrics.

That's the kettlebells!

I'm a similar build started doing strength training and the bench press and pull ups started to bulk my traps area.

I have the shoulders of a weightlifter too. I don’t lift weights, but I used to row and now play badminton. If anyone can suggest exercise that slims down the shoulder area, I’d love to hear it!

Not the point but how do you have time to do 16 classes a week? Do you work FT and have kids? I'm both admiring and envious of your dedication, I belong to a lovely gym but carving out time is tough.

16 classes a week is about 7 too many.
It's not the pilates making your shoulders big.

The o isn't doing bench press or pull ups. They are doing a single once weekly kettlebell class. This won't be bulking up shoulders

It's kind of insulting to those women who train hard for years to gain muscle when people think they will bulk out like the hulk by lifting a couple of 5kg kettlebells once a week. It's HARD for women to build. It takes contact effort and determination. Not Pilates and some single armed shoulder presses once a week 😑

@boopboopbidoop I've been a competitive weight lifter, and some women do bulk more than others, some have a higher muscular body composition.

OP more than likely looks amazing with her defined muscles.

I was simply saying to OP it will be the kettlebells not the Pilates that are causing the change, equally as mentioned up thread I agree with another poster it will be posture change making a difference to her coats fitting.

Yea I know it’s virtually impossible to gain muscle, I only do one 45 min session of kettle a week and I don’t lift very hard at all. It will not be kettles. It can’t possibly be the kettles.

So it it must be my posture!

@megletthesecond what do you mean? I would have thought that Pilates is so gentle you can do every day? Admittedly I am obsessed.

@candyisdandybutliquorisquicker WFH PT - teenagers who don’t notice when I disappear 8-10 sat and sun 🤣

Don't think there's anything you can do in terms of making them smaller. I definitely admire your dedication though !

I used to dislike my broad shoulders but have accepted them. You can buy a size up and have shirts tailored with a dart or two, and look for clothing with panels/princess seams. Boat neck but not off the shoulder necklines look good too.

Im a Pilates instructor- I instantly thought it’s because you have better posture. I had a client who started hitting his head on beams in his house after doing Pilates.

I don't think swimming has made my shoulders bigger at all, some of us are built brawny by default.

@delatron Well according to my Pilates instructor, it’s my improved posture! Which is great as that’s the reason I joined in the first place. 👌

Women with broad shoulders do not look like men.

You haven’t seen me

I look like Eddie izzard

Women with broad shoulders do not look like men.

You haven’t seen me

I look like Eddie izzard
🤣