How to Work Out in the City

Pilates Princess vs. Gym Rat

By: Olivia Berg

Photo by Olivia Thorton

A blast of heat hits my face as I walk into the mirror-lined room. Girls in matching sets, sprawled out on their mats as music floats through the air. The murmur of voices quiets as an instructor welcomes us with greetings over the mic. The next 60 minutes pass by in a blur as our CorePower Yoga instructor leads us through chaturanga, sun-B, chair pose, and lastly shavasana.

That after-workout-class feeling is like no other. I was hooked after just one class and decided then to make Pilates an integral part of my workout routine. Previously, weightlifting in the gym was my go-to. Talking to friends, I quickly realized I wasn’t the only one who has traded barbells for a reformer.

Moving to Boston made me completely reinvent how I exercise. This was a big change from my woodsy, suburban surroundings of Seattle, Washington. In Seattle, to exercise, you could just venture outside and jog along the twisting trails nearby. But here in the city, constant traffic lights and icy wind made running outside nearly unbearable. So, what could I do to work out while living in the city? Two types of exercise were recommended to me: Pilates and weightlifting.

The Gym

The freedom of weightlifting is both its biggest strength and its biggest weakness. Without structure, your workout is more personalized, but it also makes it hard for people to hold themselves accountable.

Lauren Holm, a self-acclaimed gym rat, loves the gym because “it’s more diverse and there are more options.” At the gym, it's your own personalized workout. Pilates classes leave little room for interpretation.

Another bonus is cost. For Boston University students, a FitRec pass is included with tuition. Studios like Solidcore and CorePower are an extra expense. Bailey Noonan says weightlifting is worth it — she can really “feel a difference in [her] strength.” And the science backs her up. Weightlifting is known to build muscle, while Pilates is more about stability and body awareness.

But how many times have the early mornings dedicated to back-bi day morphed into snoozing the alarm? This phenomenon is quite common, especially for students with late nights and early mornings.

Pilates

Pilates’ recent claim to fame is mostly due to its judgement-free, organized, and high female representation in its classes. It was the most-booked workout globally in 2024 according to The Body Coach. 

Weightlifting spaces are notorious for being testosterone-fueled and unwelcoming. Long lines at the machines and eyes that linger for a little too long make this especially intimidating when you are just starting out.

For Bridget Rich, a Pilates enthusiast, one of the biggest draws is the “less judgmental space.” The sense of camaraderie among the women in these classes offers her a sense of comfort and enjoyment. It also creates a sense of motivation to be surrounded by strong people all going through the same workout. Kiera Kelleher feels it too, saying she's much more incentivized when she’s “following a specific routine everyone else is doing.”

At the end of the day, the best workout is the one you’ll actually show up for. If you need extra motivation or prefer group settings, embody the Pilates Princess. If you prefer doing your own thing and having more choice, the gym is calling your name. In a city like Boston, you can’t go wrong if you find a workout that works for you!