Here’s what the workout can and can’t do for your fitness. Credit...Eric Helgas for The New York Times Supported by By Danielle Friedman Q: I’ve heard that Pilates can give you long, lean muscles. Is ...

Let’s get one thing straight: Muscle is muscle. Despite what many fitness influencers may have you believe, there’s no such thing as "lean muscle" or "bulk muscle." It’s all made from the same stuff.

For years, “lean muscle” has been treated like the gold standard. “Bulking,” on the other hand, sounds extreme, something reserved for bodybuilders or people who want to look intimidating. But that ...