Question: What is Pilates? Lauren Whitfield: Pilates is an exercise that it has really low impact of the joints. It's focusing on the core, trying to strengthen the core from within, which then will strengthen the back, alleviate back pain help you to all your different exercises. The core is such a big muscle it'll help with legs, arms, everything your waist, when you can tore it so. It really is trying to strengthen the core from within and trying to work a little tiny muscle that will then lengthen and stretch the body.