Ep. 67: Are you training all muscle fiber types in your movement practice?

Modern Body: Pilates & Movement for Life

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In this Episode

Most workouts promise results, but few explain how your body is actually responding under the surface. In this episode of Modern Body, Aly DiRoma unpacks the different types of muscle fibers—slow-twitch, fast-twitch, and everything in between—and why understanding them can completely change the way you train.

From endurance-building Pilates to power-packed plyometrics, Aly breaks down how various types of movement activate specific fibers and shape your physicality. It's not just about “doing more,” it’s about training with intention—so your body can not only move well, but adapt, perform, and recover with greater ease across your lifetime.

With personal insights, practical examples, and a peek behind the curtain of how the Modern Body weekly movement map is designed, this episode encourages you to be strategic with your workouts—whether your goal is better posture, more strength, or feeling resilient in your day-to-day life.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why every movement modality favors specific muscle fiber types
• The differences between type I, type IIa, and type IIx fibers—and how they affect performance
• How Pilates supports endurance and posture through slow-twitch activation
• Why explosive movements and resistance training aren’t just for athletes
• How to structure a well-rounded week of movement using the Modern Body approach

References

Muscle Fibre types. Physiopedia. (n.d.). https://www.physio-pedia.com/Muscle_Fibre_Types

Terzis, G., Vekaki, E., Papadopoulos, C., Papadimas, G., & Stasinaki, A. N. (2024). Muscle Ultrasound Echo Intensity and Fiber Type Composition in Young Females. Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology, 9(2), 64. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9020064