Reformer Pilates trend

[whatnextwhy]

What is the hype around reformer Pilates??
Is this a passing trend or genuinely better than mat Pilates?

It seems to go with matcha lattes and £££….

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.

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 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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

@JackGrealishsBobbySocks Isn't it just !

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.

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.