The BETTER Way: What’s Changing at Better and Why
It’s been just over 12 months since we opened our Reformer Pilates studio. One big trend we have noticed is people train the thing they’re already good at.
The member who enjoys lifting keeps lifting and turns a blind eye to the mobility work. The Pilates regular keeps booking Pilates because it feels good, and never goes near a barbell. Each of them gets better at one thing while another part of their body slowly falls behind.
That gap is what the Better Way is built to close.
What’s changing?
From Monday the 2nd of November, we’re trialling the Better Way for 8 weeks. Instead of two separate services, the timetable becomes one system with seven session styles across the two spaces. Every session has one clear job.
On the Gym floor: STRONG, SWEAT and a Saturday SWEAT. In the Reformer Studio: MOVE, STRENGTH, Saturday Reformer and CONTROL.
You don’t need to memorise the names. Each one comes with a one-line promise, and here’s what sits behind them.
The Gym Floor: Building Strength + Bone Density
STRONG
When: Monday | Wednesday | Friday
STRONG focusses on lifting weights, built around big movements like squats, deadlifts and presses. We also work on smaller exercises that support the body. The goal is to keep your muscle and bones strong, because we slowly lose both from our 30s unless we give them a reason to stay. Strength for the years ahead.
SWEAT
When: Tuesday | Thursday
SWEAT is our energy-building session. We blend weights, core exercises, cardio machines and bodyweight movements. Our sessions can always be scaled to your level, so you work at a pace that suits you. The goal is a stronger heart and lungs, so stairs, busy weeks and keeping up with family all feel easier.
SATURDAY SWEAT
When: Saturday
SATURDAY SWEAT is SWEAT with company. We blend weights, core exercises and bodyweight movements in partner and team workouts. Everything can be scaled to your level, so you work at a pace that suits you. The goal is a stronger heart and lungs, plus a good start to the weekend with great people.
The Reformer Room: Improving your Movement + Control
MOVE
When: Monday | Wednesday | Friday
MOVE focusses on mobility on the Reformer. Slow, controlled movements take your joints through their full range, and every exercise can be scaled to your level. The goal is to keep your joints and tendons healthy, so bending, reaching and getting up off the floor stay easy. Move freely, every day.
LOAD
When: Tuesday | Thursday
LOAD is our Reformer strength class. You’ll use heavier springs, slow lowering and short holds, and work your muscles. Every exercise can be scaled to your level. The goal is to build strong muscles, a stable core and real strength.
SATURDAY PILATES
When: Saturday
SATURDAY PILATES blends MOVE and LOAD in one class. We start with mobility to open up the joints, then build strength with controlled, spring-based work. Everything can be scaled to your level. The goal is to move well and feel strong.
CONTROL
When: Sunday
CONTROL focusses on slow, breath-led movement and long stretch holds. It’s gentle, and everything can be scaled to your level. The goal is to recover and reset, so you head into the week feeling better.
Why each session has a role to play?
Picture a day at the beach. You carry a full esky across soft sand, which takes strength. You walk the length of the beach and back, which takes stamina. You crouch to a low chair, twist to grab the sunscreen and get back up, which takes movement.
Most days ask for all three - strength, stamina and movement. Most training only covers one or two.
Giving each session one job makes it clear what you’re getting, and it makes gaps easy to spot. If your week is all STRONG, you can see exactly what’s missing.
A simple starting point:
Three sessions a week: STRONG and MOVE
Five sessions a week: add LOAD, SWEAT or CONTROL
That’s a starting point, not a rule. Some members will lean towards strength, others towards movement, and both are fine as long as nothing is left out completely.
Why we are trialling this?
We’re trialling this rather than locking it in because the best feedback comes from people training in it. Your coaches and instructors will check in with you along the way. We’ll run a poll and we’ll decide what stays, what changes and what goes. Some things will change, and that’s the point of a trial. If something works, tell us. If it doesn’t, tell us.
Each session has one clear goal.
Together they cover everything your body gets asked to do.
That’s the Better Way.
