SheBoss Studio

More spring doesn’t always mean harder.

On the Reformer, spring tension changes more than resistance.

In some exercises, adding spring increases the load and asks the muscles to produce more force. In others, heavier springs can provide more support and stability, while a lighter spring removes some of that assistance and demands greater control.

That’s why changing the springs can completely change the way an exercise feels.

It’s not simply more spring = harder or less spring = easier.

The spring choice depends on the exercise, the intention and what we’re asking the body to do.

That’s part of the intelligence of the Reformer.

Why do Pilates instructors keep talking about your ribs?

Because your rib cage plays an important role in breathing mechanics, spinal alignment and core stability.

During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and the rib cage expands in multiple directions. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and the ribs naturally move inward as the abdominal muscles assist with breathing and stabilization.

In Pilates, cues like “soften your ribs” or “ribs down” are often used to help maintain an effective relationship between the rib cage, spine and pelvis, especially when movement or resistance causes the ribs to flare forward.

But the goal isn’t to force the ribs down or hold them rigidly in place. Your rib cage is designed to move with your breath.

We’re developing the ability to breathe, maintain alignment and control movement at the same time.

That’s why something as subtle as your rib position can change the way an entire exercise feels.

Strength training is about challenging your muscles against resistance. On the Reformer, that resistance comes from more than springs alone. Spring tension, body weight, leverage, range of motion, tempo and exercise selection can all change how much demand is placed on the body.

When programmed with enough challenge and progression, Reformer Pilates can build muscular strength and endurance. But it also asks something more of the body: stability, control, coordination and mobility, often while smaller stabilizing muscles work alongside the larger global muscles.

Does that mean Reformer Pilates replaces every form of resistance training? No. If your goal is maximal strength or lifting increasingly heavy loads, traditional weight training serves a different purpose.

But saying Pilates “isn’t strength training” simply because you aren’t holding a heavy barbell misses the bigger picture.

Resistance is resistance. What matters is how you use it, how you progress it, and what you’re training for.

At SheBoss, we believe there’s room for both.

Back to School. Back to You.

September is the perfect time to get back into a routine that makes you feel stronger, move better, and gives you time that’s just for you.

New to SheBoss Studio? Experience 7 classes for $50 over 14 days, with access to Reformer, HIIT, Strength, Mobility and Restorative classes.

Try different classes. Meet our instructors. Find what works for you.

Your new routine starts here.

New clients only. Terms apply.