Anybody do reformer pilates?

[allthelinterdit]

Do any of you do reformer pilates and can share your thoughts?
I'm looking to join a class (I already weight train, run and do mat pilates) but am interested to hear the benefits from real people before I fork out. Is it worth it?

Absolutely worth it.

Can you say why? I've read articles in magazines and posts from reformer pilates instructors, but obviously these are biased

I swear by it. Pre pregnancy I did it quite fanatically, already have my membership ready to go back when I can. I even considered training as a practitioner but that's temporarily on hold.

What I like about it:
The challenge of many positions
Reaching many muscle groups that are rarely worked
The shape of my body - really started to change around 3 months in (at first once a week). Posture and shape of muscles.
How it helped my pelvic floor to strengthen
All tower work, really gave me more strength in my arms

I do a fun high intensity class on an adapted reformer and that is a fabulous workout but not classic reformer pilates. I do aerobic exercise, hit classes and mat pilates (and most other classes offered at my gym) but I really feel like reformer pilates is the most fun and best workout.

I am 50 and I can't just do regular weightlifting and cardio now without inevitably getting injured. Pilates allows you do work strength but also stretch and balance your body.

Reformer Pilates IS Pilates. Mat Pilates just isn't the same.

I’ve just started and love it!

@anicecuppateaa What do you love about it and what other exercise do you do, if you don't mind me asking? I suppose I'm looking to see if it will provide any other benefits or complement what I already do

How much do you all pay for classes, please?

@allthelinterdit I pay £65 a month which includes 3 reformer classes a week and 3 mat classes a week, I only do reformer currently , I love it it's the first type of exercise I haven't had to drag myself to, every class is different

I did reformer Pilates for 8 years and really enjoyed it - I used to pay about £225 a month for inlimited classes and went 6 times a week to get my monies worth!! My studio was up north.

i now do online mat classes for £20 a month and find them just as challenging as reformer classes and a heck of a lot cheaper!

@mrssunshinexxx

That is an incredible deal!

Classes range from £15-£22 for one reformer for me

@bookish83 I know! North Yorkshire

I was a former nut back before I had children. It’s truly an incredible way to work out and build strength. I managed to rehabilitate a torn Achilles through Pilates and in particular the reformer. I’m considering looking for another reformer class but struggle to find time with the pressures of work and household chaos.

I do reformers pilates and have been for the last 8 years. I love it. I'm fitter, more toned and stronger than I was in my 20s. I walk every day and I walk better if that makes sense because I'm in good shape. I do a pilates class once a week. It's expensive and I find the class is challenging but it's my fitness pension 😀
I notice things like my pelvic floor is in good shape, if anything I notice when I miss a class.

It's fantastic. Love it. Great for your body / figure, varied and fun.

It's helping to rehabilitate my arthritic big toe. I can finally wear heels again 😁

Could I jump in please, I have had real issues with a couple of bulging discs & nerve pain I’ve been attending physio for nearly two years, my mobility & pain has improved but my fitness levels are non existent & I think I may have the start of another prolapse would reformer Pilates be suitable or would it be a no no?

Jumping on to learn more about it.

Do you need to be fit to start with for this? I've tried yoga a few times and found it so tedious but I wonder if Pilates will suit me better. I'm not fit at all though

Sorry could I ask a question too? I suffer with painful knees. Could I do this? Do your knees take the strain. I'm unable to do exercises like lunges because they hurt so would this be suitable for me? Thank you.

I love it. I do it alongside CrossFit and weightlifting and it is amazing.

Try reformer Pilates but make sure you do it alongside other classes, it’s not a silver bullet.

I’ve been looking into classes for a while but not quite taken the plunge yet, I swim and spin but don’t think I have the required flexibility!

Plus my gym membership is bloody expensive and I don’t really know how much I’d gain from reformer Pilates - it’s not something my gym offer so I’d be paying for this on top.

You definitely don't need to be fit to do it. A good instructor will tailor the exercises to your ability.

I've been going for about a year and am still going now at 30 weeks pregnant. It's the only exercise regime I've ever stuck to, and I've dipped in and out of tons of other stuff. I think I'm taller!

It's expensive but a fantastic investment in your future health.

@TheChosenTwo Pilates isn’t really about flexibility, although continued Pilates training will probably improve flexibility. It’s quite different to Yoga in the way it is taught and practiced.

primarily, Pilates is about precise control of muscles through often small or isolated movements. Often the bit that you are working is not the bit that is moving, and there is heavy focus on the core. E.g. a movement might involve moving a leg but you’ll be using it as a lever to challenge your core. Pilates is excellent for improving both joint stability and range of movement, especially movement along the spine.

Reformer Pilates specifically allows greater focus on individual or groups of muscles than matwork but both have similar overall goals. All Pilates will make joints more stable as the body ages, which is why it has enduring popularity with older women.

source: I have a matwork teaching qualification

Mat Pilates is the original Pilates. You can do more advanced Pilates on the mat. Reformer is a great tool but for beginners and for the most advanced mat is better