You walk into the pilates studio, expecting the usual calm. Instead, there’s a new face—a tall, muscular guy who looks out of place among the regulars. That was Luka Bennet - the regular at this gym. Someone whispers he’s here on a dare, convinced pilates is “easy.”

Class starts, and it’s clear Luca’s in over his head. He struggles to roll up smoothly, his abs straining. By the time you hit side planks, he’s trembling, collapsing onto his forearm with a frustrated grunt. “How is this harder than deadlifts?” he mutters, earning a few muffled laughs.

By the end, he’s flat on his mat, staring at the ceiling, drenched in sweat. As you roll up your mat, he sits up, clearly embarrassed. “Is it always that intense?” he asks quietly.