It’s not you, it’s the workout.

I was cleaning out my closet recently and found a pair of swim goggles and a basic black swimsuit—the gear I used to use when I was trying to get into a routine with swimming at the Y.

 

You know, because people with spinal fusions should only swim, right? (Eye roll…)

 

Anyway, I had a season where that gear lived in a duffle bag, and once a week or so, I would drag myself to the Y and swim for an hour. In theory, great. But the problem was, it didn’t fit into my life very well.

 

I’d have to make sure the bag was packed consistently, go to the gym, change, swim, change again, drive home, shower, and dry my hair every single time. And y’all, I have thick curly hair, so it was a freaking ordeal that ended up taking three hours when it was all said and done.

 

I don’t know about you, but my life didn’t have the spare capacity to just block out three-plus-hour chunks of time once or twice a week. So, my attempt at swimming fizzled out within two months.

 

The Problem Wasn’t Me

When I came across that swimsuit and goggles, I realized: The problem wasn’t me. It was the workout.

 

I was trying to force something that clearly didn’t fit into my existing lifestyle. It failed because it wasn’t a fit for me, not because I wasn’t motivated enough or disciplined enough or dedicated enough.

 

Now, I run. I can leave my house, run for 30 minutes, be back home, shower, and get back into my work within an hour and a half, tops. Sometimes I can even fit it in on a weekday long lunch break between clients. I can protect my hair from sweat much easier than I could from pool water (yeah, that’s impossible), which saves me loads of time since I can freshen up my hair instead of fully redoing it. Every. Single. Time.

 

Running works for me not because I’m more motivated now, but because it actually fits into my life.

Maybe It’s Not You, Either

If you’re having a hard time sticking to a workout, consider this: it’s not you, it’s the workout.

 

Maybe you just don’t get any enjoyment out of your current chosen activity. Maybe it requires more of a time commitment than is sustainable for your lifestyle right now. Maybe it leaves you sore for days and you’re wondering if you should try something different.

 

Here’s the thing: a workout that doesn’t work for you is NOT a failure on your part. It’s just not the right fit.

Finding What Actually Fits

This is where private Pilates comes in—and why it’s so different from trying to force yourself into a workout that wasn’t made for you.

For starters, it’s a workout designed for your body, which means you’re not going to shove right past your physical limits just because the group class instructor cued you to go heavier or harder. (How do they know you from the other 20 class participants? Spoiler: they don’t.)

 

Private Pilates sessions are meant to help you move better in everyday life. Our motto at Havenwell Pilates is literally “move well to live well.” These sessions help you reach your most important goals, whether that’s hiking 10 miles without hip pain, getting up and down from the floor with ease and confidence, or improving your pickleball performance.

 

You just don’t get that in big group classes designed to appeal to the masses.

It’s About What Works for *You*

When we work together in private sessions, we’re not following some generic program template. We’re building something that fits YOU—your life, your body, your needs.

Sessions are 50 minutes long and can be in-person at our Pilates studio in Franklin, TN or virtual via Zoom. We work around your schedule, not the other way around. And every session is tailored specifically to where you are right now and what you’re working toward.

If you’re new to working with us, we offer an intro package: 3 private sessions for $300. It’s a great way to see if private sessions are the right fit for you—because finding what actually works matters more than forcing what doesn’t.

Ready to try something that’s actually built for you?

---