Reformer Pilates trend

I'm another one baffled by the 'faffing' objection. Changing springs, adding a box, picking up the straps takes seconds - faster than tying or untying band in mat class. And picking up a ring from a reformer takes the same time as picking one up from a mat.

Anyway, I need 10 seconds breathing time between exercises. If you don't you're probably not working hard enough.

it is, but it's exploded over the last few years. It was designed to be a stepping stone to the mat, as mat is harder - you vs gravity on the mat, bed supports you in your alignment. I do lots of other stuff too, but nothing like reformer done properly (2 key words! Lots of reformer classes aren't really teaching Pilates I have found), to give you a strong core, and strong local muscles supporting the joints. It's also more varied than the mat, there's loads you can do on it.

@JackGrealishsBobbySocks Isn't it just !

Lol, "suspension trainer" is probably the best search term. You can use them for all kinds of mobility and strength and movement exercises.

I’ve had to give it up as I find it too hard these days. Where I am, it’s expensive for the odd session unless you sign up for a pack. But the pack has a time limit and I’m not fit enough now to do 2 or 3 classes a week.

when I did it regularly my thighs had never been so firm!

I don’t understand the faffing you reference. It takes less than a second to swap a spring or add/remove one on a reformer. How does that cut into exercise time precisely? They are colour coded so it’s not like you need to remember the weight that each spring represents. The springs are there precisely so you have variety ie can change the resistance to suit your fitness level.

beyond the springs, I’m not sure what accessories are used that are more of a faff vs mat Pilates. It takes the same amount of time to pick up weights or resistance bands for example regardless of the class you’re in.

What’s the problem with these things being in trend? I don’t understand the point that you’re trying to make.

I like matcha - I have been buying it since 2015 though. I like reformer Pilates too, it can be expensive but I can afford it. I go twice a week.

To me, reformer Pilates is an enjoyable way to pass time. It’s the same as spending an hour playing padel or going swimming or whatever. Most people go because they enjoy it, it doesn’t need to be anything more than that? What are you expecting?

As someone who mid 20s and fit, reformer Pilates has probably made me more flexible. I like it as a way to keep my fitness topped up and to keep my body lean. When I went through a period of not going to the gym or exercising much outside of Pilates, I found my back/shoulders became more defined and toned. More so than when I was regularly weight lifting. It’s just a relaxing, low effort workout.

Before I go down a rabbit hole, should I google 'clone pilates straps' ?

You do realise that nobody is forcing you to ‘faff’ around at reformer? Resistance training (that the springs and accessories bring) is a much more effective work out.

Can I recommend TRX pilates if anyone wants to try something a bit different for a cheap option?

You can get high quality fake TRX clone straps with a doorway anchor on Amazon for £20-30.

I love reformer. Started about 12 years ago and continued through both my pregnancies. With the right adaptations it’s great for a pregnancy workout.

I hate trendy things but the nearest Pilates place near me is reformer only so I went. I LOVE IT. There is something about the movement and resistance that quiets my brain more than normal Pilates where I constantly worry about my form. The springs have helped me really know my progression too as I can see if I can do more of less springs. I’ve sent all my “non-quiet mind” friends and they love it too.

I’m not in a big city though so it’s not full of influencer types. Just normal people some of which are in their 80s!

Try another instructor if there's lots of faffing. With my instructor we only ever use one accessory (or very rarely two) and also change spring max once per class. She will often work it so that we're doing an exercise or stretch and she will change all the springs while we do that.

I've wanted to do it for years so I might try it soon. I think the equipment is finally coming down in price so it's more accessible now.

I like to think I'll look like a streamlined 6ft supermodel after one session.

My aunt raves about it, I gave it a good go with 5 sessions but I wasn’t impressed.

Yes some of the exercises are hard but I never understood the logic of what we were trying to achieve. You can build core strength and mobility with other exercises much more effectively (and cheaply!).

It’s a way to make money out of people who don’t want to go to the gym.

I mean reformer pilates has been a trend for a very long time. It was developed in the early 20th century and was trendy at the gym I went to in my 20s (I am 44 now!).

I also find traditional mat the hardest for some reason.

Pilates has been around for many years, reformer Pilates is nothing new where I am. It's just that it's been and still is priced for a wealthier clientele.

I had taken some reformer classes and bought a basic model and so do mat and reformer. I put bed risers under the reformer I bought to raise it off the ground, the stand was over $150 iirc. Adding the resistance from the springs makes the movements a bit harder and shows pretty quick results. I did find the reformer was harder than it looks.

I did reformer pilates about 5 times a week for 8 years, but it’s so expensive now I stick with mat based and weights. I honestly find mat based just as effective, and you can do it at home and choose the class - there are some great apps around.

Absolutely love reformer Pilates and have been doing it for the past 10 years. It’s only started being the ‘next big thing’ in the last couple of years. There’s a new studio opening every couple of weeks it seems at the moment near where I live. I think due to market saturation some of those studios will struggle and close eventually. But it is a fantastic form of exercise and the only one I’ve managed to stick with.

I have done mat Pilates for about 11 years but particularly enjoy reformer. Six years ago my lower back started becoming really painful and it turns out I have osteoarthritis in my right hip. The doctor just recommended Pilates which obviously I was already doing. Six years later whilst I do have painful bouts with my lower back it’s not as bad and certainly hasn’t got any worse. However even if my back is hurting I force myself to go to a class and always feel better afterwards so it’s certainly worth it to help you remain active.

I'd love to try reformer Pilates but it's so expensive. I'm hoping it's still a thing when my kids are older and take up less of my money.

Its
not new. I’d like to try it (I’ve done regular Pilates for years) but the costs at our local gyms are too high.

I love Pilates, I’ve been doing mat and reformer for over a decade and it’s great for both my mobility and my mental health.

Reformer is having a bit of a trendy moment, with all the twenty something girls in matching sets and matcha lattes getting into it, but don’t let that put you off.

If you’re interested in trying it, look for a small studio as PPs have said, where the instructor knows what they’re doing, your mat work instructor might be able to recommend one. If you’ve been doing mat classes you’ll have a good foundation for reformer and you might enjoy it!

I did my first reformer Pilates class yesterday, I’d wanted to try it before but didn’t have a studio anywhere close.

I absolutely loved it, it was much tougher than any mat Pilates class I’ve done.

I love reformer Pilates, nothing else has shaped my body like it. I also do cardio and weights but reformer is the best and I'm so glad there are so many studios now. Although I'm not keen on the ones where music is blasting and instructor uses a mic.