There’s something deeply suspicious about the subtle power of Pilates. No sweat dripping down your spine. No red face. No frantic playlist telling you to push harder, faster, stronger. Just slow movements, controlled breathing, and an instructor calmly reminding you to “stay with the shake.”
The first time I did reformer Pilates, I genuinely thought I wasn’t doing enough. As someone whose idea of exercise has always involved jumping around, struggling to catch my breath, or spinning until my legs give up, Pilates felt too quiet. And yet, the next morning, I could barely sit down. This trending workout has even surpassed the popularity of spin classes, with many classes sold out weeks in advance. I may be joining the rest of the world with reformer and classical Pilates, and it doesn’t seem too far away from being my new obsession.
Why Pilates Feels Like You’re Not Doing Enough
We’ve been conditioned to believe that pain and sweat are the ultimate markers of a “good” workout. If your heart isn’t racing and your clothes aren’t soaked, did it even count?
Pilates challenges that idea entirely. It is a low-impact workout, and with or without the reformer, it stays joint-friendly and fully body-focused. There’s no jumping, no sprinting, no moment when your lungs feel like they’re about to give out. Instead, everything is slow and deliberate. You’re moving through small ranges of motion, often repeating movements that feel almost too easy. That’s the unsettling part. There’s something strange about walking out of a class feeling composed with your blow-dry still intact. It almost feels like cheating — as if you’ve skipped the hard part.
The Pilates Burn
Here’s where things get deceptive. Pilates works through time under tension, meaning your muscles are engaged for longer periods without rest. Instead of big explosive movements, you’re holding positions, pulsing slightly, or resisting the reformer springs with control… all of which is doing more than you think!
Your muscles start working at a deeper level, especially stabilising muscles that don’t usually get much attention. Then the shaking starts. That’s when you know it’s working. You may have heard of the “Pilates shake”: that subtle trembling when your muscles start to fatigue under constant tension, being worked continuously, without the breaks you get in faster-paced workouts.
Which brings us to the next day. Delayed onset muscle soreness hits differently after Pilates. It’s deeper and more specific. Suddenly, your inner thighs, deep core, and muscles you didn’t know you had are sore in a way that you didn’t know was possible. These muscles are constantly working to stabilise you on the reformer; they’re engaged throughout the entire class. That’s why the burn feels subtle but relentless, and why the shaking starts even when the movement barely looks like movement at all.
It’s humbling and weirdly addictive.
Reformer Pilates Is Perfect for Busy Students
As a student, I’ve always struggled with morning workouts. If I run or do intense cardio before class, I’m exhausted for the rest of the day: sweaty, drained, and in desperate need of a long recovery window. But after class or studying, I’m too busy or exhausted to motivate myself to get that workout in.
Reformer Pilates changed that. Classes are efficient (usually 45 to 60 minutes) and genuinely full-body. Being low-impact leaves you feeling energised, rather than depleted. It’s the kind of workout you can do before lectures, work, or long library sessions without needing to lie down for an hour afterwards.
Not only is it reenergising and efficient, but Amelia Bell also shares that there are a multitude of ‘mind-body’ benefits: from lowering stress and anxiety to feeling more confident and calm, all while building up your strength and alignment. Whether it’s work stress, assignments, or just terrible posture from being hunched over a laptop all day, I think every student could gain from these benefits.
The Aesthetic Factor (Yes, It Matters)
Let’s be honest: it looks good. Clean studios, calm lighting, matching sets, controlled movements. The reality is it feels closer to self-care than self-punishment. When a workout feels inviting rather than intimidating, consistency becomes easier. You show up because you want to, not because you’re forcing yourself through dread. Mindset shapes habit and Pilates seems to understand that.
What Pilates Taught Me About Rethinking Fitness
If you love running, spinning, or HIIT, Pilates probably sounds underwhelming. I get it, I was skeptical too. But Pilates didn’t just change how I move: it changed how I think about strength. You don’t have to be exhausted to be strong, or punish yourself to properly work out. Strength isn’t always loud or dramatic or sweaty. Sometimes it’s quiet, controlled, almost invisible. For me, reformer Pilates not only allows me to get stronger and more flexible but also allows me to focus on my mental health and take time for myself. The second I enter the class, my phone is on silent, there are no distractions, and I can really just focus on myself.
To anyone curious about trying reformer Pilates, I recently tried The Reformer Studio in Newport and absolutely loved it. The studio has a welcoming atmosphere, and the class was challenging yet beginner-friendly. Use promo code “HERCAMPUS15” for 15% off single, five, and ten class passes. Code valid up to three uses per client until the end of March; terms may change or expire without notice. For the latest details, please contact the studio directly.
If in-person classes aren’t your thing (or your budget), there are loads of great online Pilates creators like Move With Nicole or Lidia Mera on YouTube that make Pilates accessible for busy students. Whether in a studio class or on YouTube, I would definitely recommend trying Pilates for a fun, low-impact way to move your body!