Pilates Thoughtful Tuesday: Why "Harder" Isn't Always Better (and How I Prove It)

Instructor guides standing balance work, focusing on alignment, control, and calm breath awareness.

It usually happens before we even hit the mat.

A client looks at me, maybe a bit restless, and says they want something harder. They want more sweat, more effort—the kind of "proof" that tells them the session was worth the investment.

I never hear this as laziness. Honestly? I hear it as a compliment to their work ethic. The fitness industry has trained us to believe that if you aren't gasping for air, you aren't making progress. But in my studio, we do things a little differently.

The One-Leg Test

Instead of arguing or jumping into a set of 100s, I keep them standing. I ask them to do one simple thing: Balance on one leg.

No tricks. No speed. No fancy equipment. Just standing there.

Immediately, the "truth" shows up. The foot starts gripping the floor for dear life. The ankle wobbles like a leaf in the wind. The jaw tightens, the breath disappears, and the shoulders creep up toward the ears.

In that moment, I’m not just a teacher; I’m a mirror. I point out what’s happening in real-time. I tell them, "This is global work." It’s not just your calf working; it’s your spine, your pelvis, and your nervous system trying to find a home.

Hard Work vs. Pilates Better Work

This is where the idea of "harder" starts to soften.

In most gyms, "hard" means adding: more weight, more reps, more speed. But in Pilates, "better" means organizing what’s already there.

You can’t hide behind speed when you’re on one leg. You can’t force your way through it. Either your body organizes itself, or it doesn't. When a client feels their pelvis settle and their breath return while staying perfectly still, they realize something vital: Effort was actually the thing making them unstable.

The Lesson: When effort drops, stability improves. Effort should support your skill, not replace it.

Why This Matters for the Rest of the Session

Once we’ve had this "standing conversation," the rest of the hour makes sense. Whether we move to the Reformer or stay on the mat, the intensity now has a reason.

I don’t need to "sell" Pilates or defend why we aren't doing burpees. The work explains itself. If a client asks for "harder" later in the session, I don't get frustrated. I just stay consistent. I repeat the goal. Clarity teaches so much more than persuasion ever could.

The Final Result

I always finish the session exactly how we started: standing.

Posture never lies. If a client feels steadier, lighter, and more "put together" than they did forty minutes ago, the conversation is over. I don't need to ask if it was a good workout—they can feel it in their bones.

Hard work impresses you for an hour. Better work stays with you for a lifetime.

Next time you’re tempted to just "go harder," try going better first. You might be surprised at how much more challenging, and rewarding, that really is.