Reformer Pilates trend

I believe its been popular in C.Asia and E.Europe for years. I remember staying in a B&B in Azerbaijan and they had the equipment which looked like some sort of torture room.
I tried it when a new place opened up (UK) paid for 5 sessions and loved it and I think I've only done mat pilates once. I'd happily continue but unfortunately far too expensive.

I started classical equipment( mainly reformer) lessons over 20 years ago. I still do them.
I think the difference is the regimented class with a row of reformers where everyone does the same thing at once aren't Pilates. They are something using a device designer for Pilates for other purposes. If you look at the various studios many of the instructors have no pilates training that all. The many qualified and very experienced teachers I've encountered over the years won't teach more than 4 people at a time usually(insurance is strict,) because that's all that's safe and practical. In Pilates equipment the room for incorrect technique and injury is high so close surveillance and correction is needed. If u your technique is even a little off, you won't get results so close supervision is a great sign as it's personalised and adapting exercises for each person based on their personal abilities and profile.
When done well, may Pilates is very good for core, and joint strength and stability á well as for your shape and overall tone. It works. And you can do it at home in your own too. Reformers mixed with other equipment a full classic set up, in my experience gets much more dramatic results quicker, youre often doing very similar exercises to mat but the added resistance if the springs and ropes enhanced the exercise giving a better outcome. There are far more advanced exercises which your wouldn't be able to achieve anything like without equipment too.

I love reformer pilates. I don't drink matcha lattes, nor do I have lots of $$$.
It is a bit pricey though, admittedly.

But my wrists and shoulders don't tolerate mat pilates. Especially my wrists. Reformer is a lot more supportive for my body.

I have been in a regular class with reformer for 2 years - which also mixes in mat on occasion - and it's bloomin' amazing. Previously did yoga x 2 a week for 25 years. Classes are small, and really intense. But worth it. They have also now introduce a barre studio but probs not going to go there. My balance is so shot that the Pilates is about as far as I can go with that ! Recommend.

I was doing Reforner Pilates about 25 years ago. Not a passing fad.

It's been a thing for ages but it's normal for there to be fitness trends eg hot yoga, soul cycle etc.

I’ve been doing reformer for about7 years. It’s not a mindless trend. It is amazing. Done properly it’s the most amazing work out, has got rid of all my aches, pains and fitness and has transformed my body. It’s amazing

Yes it probably is a fad, but I do really enjoy it. It's not better or worse than mat pilates but I do find there's more variety with the reformer. Probably my mat instructor but we did the same routine pretty much every week and it got quite boring. I've never drank a matcha latte though...

Ooh, I’m signed up for my first reformer class next week, not done Pilates for over 10 years !

I find the reformer class trend very annoying tbh - I don’t like all the faffing with springs and various accessories as it cuts into the actual exercise time. Also they are way more expensive per class than mat Pilates or Barre. More and more reformer places are opening up, I’d prefer more variety.

You can even do pilates on TRX... now that is a killer for me.

I think the basics executed in any way whether on mat or with equipment are always extremely tough tbh. The earliest reformer was invented by Joseph Pilates himself more than a century again so it has been around for a very long time!

Not better, but different. The two types work the muscles in slightly different ways, and there are some exercises you can do on the reformer (or the cadillac) that can't be done on the mat - and vice versa.

I’ve been doing reformer for years. But my access has improved recently as I now get it included at my trendy gym!! I like to mix up mat and reformer classes. I used to do two mat, one reformer a week (mostly on cost grounds as I had to pay separately for reformer). Now I aim to do two reformer and one mat a week.

reformer can provide support to build up to exercises that are difficult on the mat, better isolate individual muscle groups, and if you are a regular provide a more challengibg workout against resistance than mat can.

Loads of celebs have been doing it for years too. So I think it is a fad. But it will broaden the base of long term devotees.

But beginners are definitely better starting in small group specialist environments. The Pilates studio I go to has max 6 people in a class vs my gym which has 14-20 depending on the branch. I get on ok at the gym but I know what I’m doing and can make my own adjustments. A newbie friend has retreated back to a studio environment to get the basics on my advice.

Been around for years, not a new thing.