Like many of our fellow muses, we were completely mesmerized by Lori Harvey’s sculpted physique—those toned arms, chiseled back, and envy-inducing abs. And when she casually dropped that Pilates was the secret to her snatched frame, we had only one response:
Bet, Lori. Say less.
We’ve dabbled in reformer Pilates here and there, usually as a way to cool down after HIIT sessions. To us, it was more about stretching and breathing than really working out. You know, not the type of workout where you’re gasping for air, drenched in sweat, and questioning your life choices. So, naturally, we were skeptical—how was Pilates going to transform our bodies into Lori-level masterpieces?
But instead of treating Pilates as an occasional supplement to our fitness routine, we committed to it completely—30 Pilates sessions in 30 days.
The results? Unexpected, to say the least.
1. Pilates High
We’ve heard of a runner’s high—the rush of dopamine that keeps runners hooked—but we personally have never related. And while we’ve always loved the idea of being a gym girlie, the reality never quite stuck.
But Pilates? Pilates was different.
We actually looked forward to class. Something about slipping into a cute set, grabbing an aesthetic pre-class drink, and heading off to a reformer session felt like an event, a ritual we cherished. And beyond the aesthetics, there was a new sense of gratitude—gratitude for movement, for breath, for simply showing up.
2. Craving Gains
Nothing—and we mean nothing—will humble you faster than struggling to hold a basic tabletop position in Pilates. The worst part? It looks so deceptively easy.
Pilates is the queen of micro-movements. The ones that seem innocent until you’re trapped in a brutal cycle of “Hold it right there…” followed by “Now, pulse!” when you’re already begging for mercy. It’s both a physical and mental battle.
But the wildest part? We started to crave it. Our bodies adapted, our strength increased, and at one point, we even considered adding gym sessions to the mix—though we held off to keep this experiment fair. But let’s just say, Pilates awakened our inner workout baddie, and the gym will definitely be seeing us soon.
3. A Whole New Flex
If reformer Pilates did nothing else for us, it absolutely transformed our balance and flexibility.
After every session, we felt the tension from daily stress melt away. And somewhere between all the footwork, stretching, and core control, our flexibility skyrocketed. So much so that our instructor pulled us aside to let us know:
“You’re ready for Level 2.”
Now, if you’re unfamiliar, Level 2 is where things get serious. Advanced movements, instructor approval required, and an entirely new (and very intense!) training challenge. But that’s a story for another day.
4. Posture Perfect
We’ve been slouchers since middle school—posture was never our strong suit. And the constant back pain? Not cute.
Enter reformer Pilates.
After 30 days, we caught ourselves sitting taller, standing straighter, and moving with intention. Our bodies felt aligned, and those nagging back pains? Practically nonexistent. Turns out, all those planks, suspension training, and seemingly endless pulses were secretly working wonders on our core strength—aka the foundation of flawless posture.
5. Confidence Skyrocketed
Between the daily Pilates ritual, the noticeable strength gains, and our newfound ability to actually finish tough reps, something magical happened—our confidence soared.
It wasn’t just about looking better (though, yes, our bodies were toning up nicely). It was the way we carried ourselves. Posture on point, head held high, and an extra level of glow that had us investing even more in skincare, hair, and, of course, the cutest matching Pilates sets.
Slowly but surely, we found ourselves stepping into full Pilates Princess territory.
6. Unexpectedly Spicy
Now, we won’t get too personal, but let’s just say… our lovers definitely benefited from our new love of Pilates.
Between all the legs in straps moments (strictly for foot exercises, of course), the countless hip thrusts, and the undeniable confidence boost, our reformer Pilates classes came with unexpected after-hours perks.
And let’s just say, our flexibility, endurance, and, um, movement control made for some very fun nights.
While we may not be fully Lori Harvey-level just yet, Pilates has proved itself to be the real deal. So, what’s next?
We’re extending this challenge for another 60 days—because if 30 days did this, we can only imagine what’s in store at the 90-day mark. Stay tuned for updates on our full transformation.
Would you take on the 30-day Pilates challenge? Let’s chat in the comments!
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