Why You’re Shaking in Pilates (And Why That’s a Good Thing)

So you’re in class, holding a lunge on the reformer, breath steady, glutes engaged, and then - BAM. Your legs start trembling like a baby deer on a trampoline. Is something wrong?

Nope. In fact… something is very right.

At Rise Pilates Studio in Keyworth, we celebrate the shake. Here’s why those wobbles are a sign that the magic is happening - not that you’re weak.

💡 What’s Actually Going On When You Shake

The shake you feel during Pilates is called neuromuscular fatigue, which is a fancy way of saying your muscles and nervous system are working really hard together.

When you’re holding a position, especially a small and controlled one (hello, pulses), your stabiliser muscles are firing over and over again to keep you in place. They’re doing the heavy lifting, literally. And when they start to fatigue? The shakes kick in.

It’s not failure. It’s progress. It means you’re pushing to a new edge, where your strength gets built.

🌱 Why It’s Actually a Good Thing

1. It Builds Strength at a Deeper Level

You’re not just working surface-level muscles - you’re getting into the tiny, often-ignored ones that support posture, stability, and injury prevention.

2. It Means You’re Challenging Yourself

You’ve moved out of your comfort zone. That’s where the magic happens - and where your muscles grow stronger and more resilient.

3. It Improves Mind-Body Connection

The more you shake now, the more your body learns how to stabilise later. That’s neuroplasticity, baby. You’re literally training your brain to support better movement.

4. It Gets Easier (But Not Less Effective)

The more often you show up, the more control and strength you’ll build - and the more intentional the shake becomes. You’ll still wobble… you’ll just love it.

🧘‍♀️ Should I Stop If I’m Shaking?

Nope, not unless you’re in pain or losing control of your form. Your instructor is always there to modify or cue you through it. But if you’re shaking and still safe? Stay in it. That’s where the good stuff lives.

And remember: Everyone shakes. From beginners to instructors. It’s not about how “fit” you are, it’s about how connected you are to your body.

🫶 What You Can Do to Embrace the Shake

• Breathe – shallow breath feeds panic. Deep breath brings control.

• Focus – tune in to your core or breath, not the burning in your thighs.

• Hold – even two seconds longer than last time counts.

• Laugh if you need to – shaking is human, not embarrassing.

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Ready to Shake With Us?

Whether it’s your first time on the reformer or your fiftieth, you’ll feel it. (We’d be worried if you didn’t.)

Join us at Rise Pilates Studio in Keyworth for small-group reformer, mat, tower, and hot Pilates classes that challenge you without crushing your soul.

Book a class. Bring the socks. Embrace the wobble.