Tip them on edge and apply a little pressure and they are turning. But find out for yourself, come rent a pair of shaped ski's and you tell me which is better. The convenience of the step-in is making them more popular. Newer designs are more responsive than they ever have been before. But, all that considered the conventional 2 strap, freestyle binding provides the most performance and range of motion.
Bindings can go both ways.
They can get easier over time since the springs get weaker. On the other hand, the bindings can get old, worn out inside, or even dirt in them. If you have more questions, I recommend you visit your favorite ski shop and have them visually inspect your bindings. Ironically, my body wasn't really sore from the exercise. Instead, my shins hurt tremendously from the pressure with which my snowboard pulled on my feet every time I rode the ski lift.