You Don't Need to Find Your Motivation. You Need to Decide.
I’ll be the first to say it as a trainer and owner of a fitness studio. Motivation goes in waves.
Sometimes I'm on a high and I'm excited to run, excited to work out, eating well, feeling good and really on top of things. Other times I just need someone to keep me accountable.
When I sign up for a group class, when I put my card down for personal training, you bet your ass I’m going to be there.
Because now I've done three things:
1. I've made a promise to myself.
2. There's someone there waiting for me.
3. I've made an investment.
I put my money behind the decision.
And all three of those things make a difference for me.
Because let’s be 100% honest for a second. You can know exactly what you should be doing and still need accountability to actually do it. That’s pretty human.
Why Core Strength Is About More Than Visible Abs
Let's talk about the core.
Because fitness has always had an aesthetic attached to it.
The 90s gave us skinny culture. The 2000s swung hard in the other direction and celebrated curves. And since the Pilates boom post-COVID, we've somehow landed right back at the size-0 ideal — except now she's wearing an Alo set, drinking a green juice and casually showing off a perfectly flat stomach while telling us this is what "strong" looks like.
And listen...I love an Alo set.
But let's actually think about this for a second.
A flat stomach is not the definition of a strong core.
And I honestly think that's something the Pilates industry should be talking about a hell of a lot more.
Your core can be incredibly strong without being flat, defined or remotely resembling the stomach of the person teaching your class. Genetics, body composition, hormones, nutrition and a whole host of other factors influence what your midsection looks like.
Strength is what your body can do. Aesthetic is what your body looks like. They're not the same thing.
What Your First 90 Days at Core (LP) Could Look Like
We promise, your first 90 days won’t be someone handing you a mat and wishing you luck.
We actually want to know you, your body, and what you want to experience from your time with us.
Because the right starting point for one person might look completely different from the right starting point for someone else.
How Many Times Per Week Should I Do Pilates as a Beginner?
When I first started working out during my senior year at Michigan State, I thought the only way I'd see results was if I worked out every single day.
Then one of my friends convinced me to join an eight-week fitness challenge.
The commitment?
Just two classes a week.
I'll admit...I laughed.
Two workouts? That wasn't going to change anything.
Fast forward eight weeks, and not only had those two workouts become one of my favorite parts of the week, but they completely changed the way I looked at fitness.
Because I learned something I still tell clients today:
You don't need to do more. You need to do what you can actually sustain and then build from there.
Should I Do Cardio or Pilates First?
If you've ever combined running, walking, cycling, or another form of cardio with Pilates-inspired strength training, you've probably asked yourself:
Should I do cardio or Pilates first?
The answer depends on your goals.
If your goal is improving endurance for a race or specific athletic event, your cardio workout may take priority.
But if your goals include:
Building lean muscle
Improving body composition
Getting stronger
Supporting metabolism
Creating more definition
Then Pilates-inspired strength training should usually come first.
And here's why.
What the “Pilates Shake” Actually Means for Building Lean Muscle
If you've ever taken a Pilates-inspired strength class, you've probably experienced it.
Your legs start trembling.
Your arms begin shaking.
Your core feels like it's vibrating.
And somewhere around the halfway point of the movement, you start wondering:
"Is this normal?"
Or maybe you've heard someone say:
"If you're shaking, you're building muscle."
Then someone else chimes in:
"Nope. That's just a Pilates thing."
So...who's right?
The answer is somewhere in the middle.
Is Reformer Pilates Strength Training
When most people hear the word Pilates, they picture stretching, shaking, and maybe a few hundred tiny pulses.
And while Pilates has always been built around control, precision, and core strength, the word “Pilates” can sometimes make people underestimate how physically demanding it can be.
So the question is:
Is reformer Pilates actually strength training?
The answer depends on the type of reformer workout you’re doing.
“I’m Not Fit Enough For A Reformer Class” (And Other Lies You Tell Yourself)
“I’m not flexible enough.”
“I need to get in shape first.”
“I’d probably look ridiculous in there.”
“I’ll try it once I’m more fit.”
We hear this all the time.
And honestly, it’s usually the exact reason someone should be in the room, not the reason they should avoid it. Because none of those thoughts are actually about fitness. They’re about fear of being seen in something you’re not already good at…yet.
Why We Start With a Consult Before Your First Class at Core (LP)
“Why can’t I just book a class?”
“Is this just a sales call?”
“Do I really need to talk to someone first?”
We get these questions all the time, and honestly, fair. Most fitness studios want as few barriers to entry as possible. Click a button, book a class, figure it out when you get there.
That’s just not how we do things at Core (LP). Because while skipping straight to class might feel easier upfront, it’s usually the reason people end up frustrated, inconsistent, injured, or starting over again three months later.
The consult exists to stop that cycle before it starts.