'I tried 'STRONG' Pilates and here are my honest thoughts.'

Everyone in my life has become a 'Pilates Girl'. 

Not necessarily in the $60 water bottle, matching-activewear kind of way. It’s just starting to feel like all the women in my life had a meeting to decide that Pilates is their new favourite thing. 

And despite my hesitation about becoming a TikTok aesthetic (and the silent, desperate pleas of my bank account), I’m officially a Pilates Girl too. 

When I tell people that I do Pilates, the regular response is, “Mat or reformer?” 

These days though, there're heaps more than two answers. 

A wave of hybrid pilates brands have started to infiltrate our Aussie shores, combining the slow and steady resistance training of regular pilates, with more high-intensity or weight-training style workouts. 

Watch: Here's what happened when Mamamia's Chelsea McLaughlin tried a workout by Commando Steve. Post continues below. 

One of those is STRONG Pilates, which just opened up in Sydney, but already has a bunch of studios in Australia and globally all with huge waitlists.

I was super lucky to give their new place a whirl, and well, I have thoughts. 

First off though, here’s a little about me so you get the right mental picture. 

By my own arbitrary fitness scale, I would say I’m “fit enough.” I’m certainly not running a marathon anytime soon, but exercise is a regular part of my life… as is cake. After a workout, I’ll be the beetroot red one who’s sweating from pores that most human beings never knew existed. 

In terms of my workout routine, I’ve only recently made the leap to Pilates Girl. I'm much more at home in the gym or on a netball court. So yeah, I was *a little* nervous to try what they describe as one of the toughest and most effective workouts you can do… 😬

So, how does it actually work?

STRONG Pilates classes are all built around a contraption called the 'rowformer'. It blends together (no prizes here!) a rowing ergometer machine and a pilates reformer machine. 

You can use the rowformer in lots of different ways depending on the class, like lunging on the moving carriage, sitting down on the rowing seat or pulling the reformer handles for upper body work, all whilst wearing some adorable, grippy socks. 

I tried their 'BODY' class which is essentially the all-rounder. It includes some cardio movements using the rower, paired with some full-body reformer pilates moves (read: the burn). 

We did three bursts of rowing, interspersed with three bursts of pilates, one for the lower body, upper body and core. Each of the bursts was relatively short so you’re never spending too long on one thing.

Ok so, what did I actually think?

They weren’t lying. It’s very difficult. 

Let’s not beat around the bush here. Your muscles will be crying. And the sweat. Good gracious. I literally had to stop in the middle of a plank series, not because it was too hard (it was) but because I needed to grab my towel so desperately so that I wouldn’t slip off the machine.

Should I have been more concerned when they told us that it would be much harder than regular reformer pilates? Perhaps. 

Was I quietly happy that everyone in the class (including some actual, real-life models) was also visibly struggling? Of course, I’m only human.  

Less maybe can be more. 

As someone who normally separates the cardio, weights and low-impact resistance in my workout routine, I was kind of sceptical that I’d feel like I did a “good enough” workout in 45 minutes; roughly the same amount of time I’d normally spend on just one thing. 

You know what they say though, don’t judge a book by its sleek, fancy cover. I finished the class properly out of breath, feeling pretty similar to how I feel post a 45-minute HIIT session at the gym, and the numbers on my Apple Watch were roughly the same too. 

It’s strangely confidence-boosting.

I know, I know, all exercise gives you a serotonin boost or whatever. 

That’s not what I’m talking about here. 

It was genuinely very satisfying to gradually figure out how the machine works and start to feel like I knew what was going on. I walked away from the class feeling a little smug, and like I could totally go back and try to work up to the harder movements next time. 

It’s actually for everyone. 

Reformer pilates can be intimidating at the best of times. There are handles and springs and carriages flying everywhere, and that’s before you add in a rowing machine. 

It would be pretty understandable if at first glance you might say, “Not for me.” 

That’s definitely how I felt. Especially because the dark-lit, mirrored studio screams cool and exclusive, a far cry from the approachable yet unflattering fluorescent lights of my regular gym.  

But the fake-it-til-you-make-it attitude was out in full force, and I really had no reason to be nervous. The trainers were super helpful and guided everyone on exactly what to do when, and how to adjust the movements for our experience levels. 

And the class was simply fun! Great people with great music blaring, which at the very least distracts you from the feeling of your legs falling off.

What’s the verdict?

If you’re a fan of a more relaxed atmosphere while you exercise, then you might be happier in a regular reformer pilates class. 

But if you’re already a Pilates Girl looking to mix up your routine, or add a little challenge in, then you’ll probably love a hybrid-style Pilates session. 

In fact, anyone whose week generally runs away from them (everyone) should give it a go at least once - it’s worth it for the smugness alone.

Have you ever tried a STRONG Pilates class before? What are your thoughts? Share with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Supplied; Caitlin Bailey.