No More Mom Guilt: Choosing Pilates at Home Over Driving an Hour to the Gym

Hi friends, I’m Jalena—a busy homesteader, homemaker, homeschooler, wife, and mom. Like so many of you, my days are packed from sunup to sundown: caring for animals, teaching lessons, cooking meals, folding laundry, keeping up the house, and trying to keep everything running smoothly. It’s a life I love, but it doesn’t leave a lot of space for me.

And if you’re a mom, you probably know exactly what I mean.

For the past three years, my health has also been on a difficult journey. I’ve undergone test after test with my neurologist, searching for answers that never seem to come. My body has felt stiff, sore, and weak, and some days just getting through chores takes everything I’ve got. It’s been draining—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

But recently I realized something: if I want to keep pouring into my family and homestead, I have to start pouring into myself too. That’s where Pilates comes in.

Why Pilates?

Even though I’ve never once taken a Pilates class (crazy, right?!), I’ve done so much research on it. Pilates is known to increase strength, improve posture, loosen stiff muscles, and help with chronic pain—all while being gentle and low-impact. It’s the perfect blend of stretching and strengthening, exactly what my body has been craving.

The only problem? The nearest Pilates studio is 45–60 minutes away, because I live in such a rural area. With classes averaging $150–$250 per month (that’s $1,800–$3,000 a year), plus the time, gas, and stress of leaving home, it’s just not practical for me in this season of life. Sure, I’d love to have an in-studio class with an instructor and other women, but I cannot give up that much of my time and money!

So instead of giving up, I decided to bring Pilates home.

Why I Chose the Elevé Reformer by Siluet

After a lot of thought, I invested in the Elevé Reformer by Siluet. Normally priced at $2,750, this studio-quality Pilates Reformer is currently on sale for $1,999, and comes with $250 in free gifts—and they even offer a $97/month payment plan for us moms that prefer bite-sized payments. Compared to a studio membership, the reformer pays for itself in less than a year. And best of all, I can fit it into my schedule. I can exercise before the kids wake up, during nap time, or even late at night—no long drives, no wasted gas, no guilt.

And to make it even better, this reformer folds up and can be easily stored in a corner, so it doesn’t take up too much space, no matter where you put it!

This feels like freedom.

Let’s Talk About Mom Guilt

I know the voice all too well: “You don’t have time for yourself. You shouldn’t spend money on you. Your family needs you more.”

But here’s what I’m learning—investing in our health isn’t selfish, it’s selfless. When I feel stronger, I have more energy for my kids. When my body isn’t stiff and aching, I’m more patient with homeschool lessons. When I sleep better after moving my body, I wake up ready to handle the farm and the household.

Caring for myself means I can care for them even better. And that’s a truth every mom needs to hear.

Starting From Scratch

Because I’m brand new to Pilates, I’ll be starting slowly and learning as I go. Thankfully, there are countless (free) Pilates reformer workouts on YouTube. Some I’m planning to follow include:

• Gone Adventuring Pilates – easy-to-follow routines at every level
• Holistic Movement Pilates – tons of variety for all stages
• Real Good Pilates– FUN & challenging Pilates classes to build strength, flexibility, and embody joyful movement

With these tools, I can learn right here at home and grow stronger one workout at a time, in my own time.

Sharing the Journey

This is more than just an exercise plan—it’s a new chapter in my life. I’ll be documenting my at-home Pilates journey on my YouTube channel: REFORMER ROOKIE – A Homestead Mama’s Pilates Journey. My hope is that by sharing openly—the struggles and the victories—I can inspire other moms like me to give themselves permission to invest in their own health. Give me a little bit and I promise to get videos posted on my new channel.

If you’re curious, here’s the exact reformer I chose: Elevé Reformer by Siluet.

I’m excited, hopeful, and a little nervous—but mostly, I feel proud. Proud that I said yes to something that will help me feel better, grow stronger, and serve my family with more joy. Because at the end of the day, that’s what this is about: building a healthier me so I can keep pouring into the people I love most.

Here’s to stretching, strengthening, and stepping into a healthier future—one workout at a time.