January 13, 2026
Reformer Pilates is having a moment. Studios are popping up everywhere, classes are constantly booked, and everyone seems to be talking about it. It’s the new “it girl” of fitness — and like all trends, it’s something we’ve seen before.
Just like fashion, the fitness industry works in cycles. Things come back around with a twist, a new name, or a shinier marketing angle. And right now, Reformer is the trend riding the wave.
But here’s where I’m going to be really honest — and yes, it might piss some people off.
Why Pilates Alone Isn’t Enough
Let’s get straight to the point:
Pilates simply isn’t heavy enough.
Before anyone panics — no, Pilates isn’t bad. It’s brilliant for control, mobility, alignment, stability, and awareness. It absolutely has value. But for Joe bloggs off the street who is tight on time wanting to see results it’s not the smartest way of engaging in exercise. Doing lunges and squats as a basic movement can be challenging for people. Never mind having a limb on a moving board.
But if you’re relying on it alone to give you the strength, muscle tone, and long-term resilience you want?
It’s not going to cut it.
Your body needs load. Real load.
To build serious strength, we need resistance that’s heavier than our own body weight or a few springs.
We need to get the skeleton under proper load to help fight off osteoporosis.
We need enough challenge to build muscle, protect joints, and make everyday life easier.
I’m talking:
climbing stairs without feeling puffed carrying shopping bags without needing a break lifting kids without your back screaming moving through life feeling capable, not fragile
Pilates doesn’t give you enough of that by itself.
Time Matters — And So Does Your Goal
If time is tight (and for most people it is), then what you choose to do with that time matters. If your goals include:
physical change more muscle increased strength better bone health long-term resilience
…then relying on Reformer Pilates alone is going to leave you disappointed.
It’s a great part of a program.
It is not the whole program.
Pilates + Strength Training = The Real Win
If you love your Reformer classes, brilliant — keep them. They teach movement quality in ways other training styles don’t. But pair it with strength training, and you’ll finally get the results you’ve been chasing:
a stronger, more capable body actual muscle development better posture improved power and endurance long-term health benefits you can’t get from Pilates alone
Final Thought
Pilates isn’t the problem.
The problem is thinking it’s enough on its own — because it isn’t, especially if you want meaningful physical change.
Reformer is a tool.
A great tool.
But it’s not the entire toolbox.
Strength training is the piece that makes everything else work.
