We’ve all seen the aesthetic TikTok videos of Pilates women in matching sets gracefully moving on a reformer. They almost make it look like a glorified nap with leg extensions. But for creator Daniela Mora (@danyella5000), a decision to use her “oh so expensive” membership turned into a high-stakes battle for survival.
Daniela’s video captures that specific moment of post-workout regret when you realize you’ve accidentally enlisted in the fitness equivalent of the special forces. Her discovery of the brutal reality behind the reformer has reached a massive audience. It servers as a hilarious counter to anyone who thinks Pilates is just “breathing and stretching.”
Daniela’s Pilates session never had a ‘chill’ breathing exercise
Daniela headed to a noon class expecting the standard “inhale, exhale” routine that usually allows her to ease into her day. Instead, she encountered an instructor who seemed to have a personal vendetta against the class.
“I don’t know who pissed off my Pilates instructor, but you need to apologize,” she joked. To her surprise, the instructor skipped the pleasantries and went straight into heavy “red and green” spring resistance and intense arm work. Which, of course, Daniela hadn’t prepared for.
She felt like she was in the army
The workout was so grueling that Daniela compared it to “Ironman training” rather than a standard reformer session. Having only consumed “a light bite and half a coffee,” she was physically unprepared for the “Mini Reformer” onslaught.
By the time the class ended, the simple act of walking out of the studio became a challenge. Daniela described her progress as moving “inch by inch” with her feet.
A single tank top was too heavy for Daniela after the intense Pilates arm training
The true nightmare of the session came after class when Daniela tried to run a simple errand. She was returning a single, paper-thin Zara tank top. But her arms were so fatigued that she had to alternate hands just to carry the bag.
“Do you know how thin a Zara tank top is? And can you imagine how I couldn’t carry that?” she remarked. She hilariously highlighted the total muscle failure that followed her “good fit woman” attempt.
Is Pilates really that exhausting?
Despite its reputation for being low-impact, Pilates is notoriously deceptive. It focuses on small, stabilizing muscles that we rarely use in daily life. So, it creates a “burn” that can be more intense than heavy weightlifting.
By using spring-loaded resistance on a reformer, you are constantly fighting to maintain control. This leads to the shaking, and eventual jelly-like limbs Daniela experienced. It isn’t cardiovascularly exhausting like a marathon. But for muscular endurance, Pilates is essentially a “stealth” bootcamp.
What to expect when signing up for Pilates
If you’re planning to “be a good fit woman” and sign up for a class, here is what’s actually behind the curtain.
First, you have the spring system where the colors represent resistance. Red is heavy; green is medium; blue or yellow is light. If your instructor tells you to put on “red and green” right away, say your prayers. You won’t be doing big, flashy jumps. You’ll be moving three inches back and forth until your muscles literally give out.
After the session, your legs and arms will probably shake. This is normal, though it feels like you’re losing a fight with a machine. Like Daniela, you might find that the most difficult part of your day is carrying a shopping bag or, heaven forbid, a singular tank top, after the session.
Respect the reformer or pay the price
At the end of the day, Daniela’s story is a reminder to never underestimate the “mini” in Mini Reformer. While she might have left the studio barely able to walk, she’s successfully warned millions of us.
So, if you’re going to Pilates, eat a full sandwich first and maybe leave the Zara returns for tomorrow. We hope that Daniela has recovered enough to wear the tank top she couldn’t return. For the rest of you, remember to stay hydrated and beware of the red springs.
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