Men destroyed by ‘damn hard’ girly workout

Men are trying a workout pegged as being “soft” – but they’re quickly discovering the truth. And, it must be said, it’s very entertaining.

We’ve all heard the jokes: “Pilates? That’s just stretching, right?” or “Isn’t that what ballerinas do?”

For years, pilates and yoga have been unfairly dismissed as a ‘feminine’ workout, too gentle for the gym bros.

A mat pilates session at The Loft pilates and Barre. Picture: Supplied

This bias was on full display recently during a heated argument on Perfect Match, where Bryton lost his cool when Dominique said yoga was a workout.

The internet was up in arms, and rightfully so.

“Tell me you’ve never tried yoga without telling me you’ve never tried yoga”, one commenter clapped back at him.

Bryton got crucified for his 'misogynistic' takes on the Perfect Match. Picture: Netflix

But a quick scroll through TikTok reveals a surprising truth: men are now trying pilates (and yoga), and they’re struggling. Like, really struggling.

Videos of musclebound guys wobbling on reformers, failing to master the Teaser, and generally looking like fish out of water are flooding the internet.

It’s quite entertaining, but it also raises the question: Why is pilates so damn hard for them?

The hidden strength of pilates

This may sound like groundbreaking information, but pilates isn’t just about flexibility. Cue the gasps.

It’s a full-body workout that demands core strength, balance, co-ordination, and body awareness.

So the big, strong gymgoers may have poppin’ muscles, but they generally lack the deep core engagement and control required for pilates exercises.

Speaking as someone who made the switch from only weightlifting to adding pilates, the burn hits diff.

This might be why even seasoned athletes, like George Hudd, a former Rugby Union player and current triathlete, find themselves sweating bullets in a beginner’s pilates class.

“Ten, fifteen minutes in, and I don’t think I’ve breathed so hard in my life,” George recalls with a laugh.

George is an ex-rugby union player and triathlete. Picture: Supplied

“We were doing single-leg lunges, and I was just standing there sweating, the only person in the class drenched.”

It was a moment that left him humbled and questioning all his preconceived notions about pilates.

It’s not just pilates either. The same applies to yoga.

Yoga goes beyond flexibility and relaxation — it’s a rigorous practice that demands strength, balance, endurance, and mental focus.

I admit, when I first tried yoga I didn’t expect it to be as hard as it was. I mean, if I’m looking for the easier route, give me 90 kgs to squat over Vinyasa in a hot room any day.

The rise of men in pilates studios

This humbling experience isn’t unique to George. Simone Doulaveras, the owner of The Loft Pilates and a former dancer, has noticed a surge in men joining her classes.

She attributes this trend to social media, where videos of tradies struggling through pilates classes have gone viral.

Simone is a pilates instructor and ex-dancer. Picture: Supplied

“I think the challenge and benefit is what’s drawing the boys in,” Simone explains.

But these men are quickly realising that pilates is no “girly” workout. As Simone puts it, “The common misconception is that pilates is easy, but as they start to feel the burn, they change their tune pretty quickly.”

Breaking down the bias

So, is there any truth to the idea that women are naturally better at pilates?

I hate to break it to you men, but you can’t blame your XY chromosome for this one.

While some minor physiological differences in flexibility might exist, the reality is that anyone, regardless of gender, can excel at pilates.

The real reason people are finding it tough in their pilates and yoga era is probably their prior forms of training.

Left: Luke is one of the male attendees at The Loft. Right: George also likes to do assisted stretching. Picture: Supplied

George describes how pilates differs from other types of training he’s done: “With weightlifting or rugby training, it’s all about explosive power — lifting heavy, pushing hard, and giving everything you’ve got in short bursts. But pilates is the opposite in many ways.”

He found that this new way of engaging with his body was humbling.

“You go from throwing around heavy weights to struggling to hold a plank or balance on one leg. It’s made me realise that strength isn’t just about how much you can lift — it’s about control, stability, and being in tune with your body.”

The benefits for men (and women)

Pilates and yoga aren’t gender exclusive, and neither are the benefits. You can expect:

•Improved core strength and stability

•Enhanced flexibility and mobility

•Corrected posture and alignment

•Reduced stress and improved mental focus

•A mind-body connection that will level up your overall training

And, good news, implementing workouts like pilates or yoga improves your skills in the gym.

Simone says “Gym floor workouts tend to target global muscles and functional movement patterns. Pilates provides both the stability and precision for these to be executed with more power, better form and less injuries. By incorporating pilates into their routines, our athletes are running PB’s, correctly recruiting glutes and core muscles which they’re both seeing in their muscle definition and form, as well as feeling during their workouts.”

George is grateful to pilates for his gained flexibility. Picture: Supplied

George also noted the benefits go beyond the physical for him. Being in a friendly, social setting with so many females allows him to gain insight into their perspective of the world.

“As single guys, we don’t really get to do that often unless it’s at a club or something like that, trying to pick someone up,” George shares.

“But in a pilates class, the dynamic is different. You get exposed to different conversations, and it’s just a really positive experience on a social level.”

The cultural shift: Men embracing pilates

The rise of men trying pilates, especially as seen on TikTok, is part of a broader cultural shift in fitness.

Men are beginning to embrace exercises that were once stereotyped as “women’s workouts,” and in doing so, they’re discovering benefits that traditional strength training might overlook.

Simone hopes this trend continues, leading to a greater understanding of movement consistency over simply chasing high-calorie burns.

“Rather than only valuing workouts where we’re encouraged to lift heavier or go faster, we’re seeing and feeling the benefit of slowing down, correcting form, and seeing changes in the body,” she says.

Despite the recent shift, George says many of his friends are hesitant to give it a try.

And although their original perception was that it was ‘too girly’ or ‘soft’. Now, it’s quite the opposite.

“I’ve tried to get some of my mates down to try pilates, but none of them have taken me up on it,” George admits.

“It’s funny because their perception has definitely changed — they don’t see it as this soft, easy workout anymore. Now, they just don’t want to do it because they know how hard it is. There’s still a bit of an ego thing there … It’s like they know it’ll humble them, and that’s what keeps them away.”

Overall though, pilates is BOOMING. Simone is in the process of expanding to offer around 300 classes per week between The Loft’s two locations in Caringbah and Cronulla.

Look, rocking up to a pilates studio might feel intimidating. But, like The Loft, most studios offer a range of classes to suit every level.

So, do you think you’ll occasionally ditch the barbell for a mat and ball?