Reformer Pilates - does it do anything?

[Kirsty2323]

I have recently started reformer Pilates (doing foundation courses at the moment).
I have a good level of fitness already and cannot feel anything after my reformer class. I am not sure if I am not doing it right (the instructor does correct form) or if I am just too fit for the beginners class. Is it worth persevering and is it worth giving up one of my other gym classes for reformer? Would love to hear other people’s experiences with reformer pilates.

It does work but I don't know if you already have core strength...I'm currently lifting heavy weights and am follwing this thread with interest as I was thinking of doing a 6 week course but won't if the weight training is more effective.

Sounds like you need to increase the spring resistance to make it harder.

Try that first and then consider going to a more intense class

Depends on the class. First one I did was a waste of time. Then tried again with a different instructor and it was brilliant, really felt it.

What belovedlucy says. It's easy to work with light springs and stick to basic exercises, and not be cued on pelvic position, breathing, abdominal connection etc, and it won't do much. Ditto when reformer classes are just circuits classes on the machines. But done properly, it's brilliant. I teach it (and own a studio), and you need to challenge yourself properly, maintain Pilates form and do the exercises for long enough to fatigue the muscles. I have a few favourite teachers at my studio - one is very flowy, with innovative sequencing, works all planes of movement and I come out feeling like I've worked my muscles and stretched. The other 2 are slow and strong. Long sets, heavy weights and working really slowly so there's nowhere to hide.

I think it does do something! I'm one month into going to a specialist reformer studio and whereas I thought I had a fairly good level of fitness before I started (run 3-4x a week, go to 1x pump/body tone/legs bums and tums type class at the gym) reformer has revealed just how weak my core and shoulder muscles actually are. There are so many poses that I can't hold for the full time of the exercise and some I can barely do at all (hi side planks). It's been really eye opening for me and has ignited my inner stubbornness as I'm determined to get stronger so I can do the moves properly!

Also judging by the very toned physiques of all the people around me in the class it seems to pay off over time...

I will say that I think it's a class where form is everything - the times when I'm doing a move thinking it's remarkably easy are invariably the times when the instructor comes over to correct my form, and the move suddenly becomes a lot harder.

The answer is it depends on the instructor - from my experience some of them are just stretching and breathing work, and others are more like a proper workout.
In your case you could move up to the next level, or say to the instructor that you would like a bit more of a challenge, or a heavier resistance.

Yes it does work. Brilliant for posture and core strength.

Maybe you need to move up to a more taxing workout. Ask the instructor.

Thanks for the replies. I will keep going, but maybe join a more advanced class.

Instructor dependent esp. if high baseline level.

I have pilates 1:1s and PT. I heavily encouraged my very fit PT to go to a pilates reformer class with me and he really struggled as it works your core in a different way.

(The pilates teacher may also have made it quite hard as he has been fairly dismissive of pilates).

I expect I'm nowhere near as fit as you and I just jumped straight into a regular class, its hard and feels like a workout but not too hard. I looked at the beginner in my studio and it is really really basic stuff