Reformer Pilates

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Hi,

I’ve booked in for a reformer Pilates class after a popular ‘boutique’ studio opened up a new one nearish me.

They only do reformer Pilates, Barre classes and spin classes at my site, they do conditioning classes elsewhere so that might get introduced at some point. Quite expensive but got an introductory offer for 10 sessions of any combinations works out £10 per session which seems quite good.

I’ve done some mat Pilates before at the local leisure centre but by the second class I could do it all as it was very basic and didn’t change. Due to working shifts this place is the best for my schedule as runs early morning and evening classes as well as day time.

I’ve never done reformer Pilates before though so am a bit nervous, I have my grippy socks and will arrive 15 mins early. All sessions are 45 mins.

Does anyone have any advice? I’ve done a spin class through them a year ago and whilst it was very good they only did spin classes at that site so I didn’t stick with them.

I’m going through a stressful time and have lots of aches and pains as baseline so hope it might be good for that. I will try the barre and spin classes too. I’m aiming for 3 classes a week in total, I was with a gym I quite liked for a while but they stopped offering the challenging classes and reducing their opening hours so I had to leave.

sorry for the long essay, any advice and tips welcome xx

I'm not sure what advice you are after.

You seem to be looking for a challenge and nobody can tell you if that studio will give you that.

There are two main approaches to Pilates: the classical approach which focuses on the original moves that were created by Joseph Pilates about 100 years ago building on them and modifying them in accordance with his focus on breathing, control, concentration, centering, flow & precision. It's a slow and deliberate approach that works the whole body: it makes you very strong. Or there is a more contemporary approach which is more dynamic, faster, with much less control and looks way cooler on Instagram. It's almost balletic at times. Potentially more scope for injury but often quite cardio. Some say its exercises on a Pilates reformer.

Both are equally valid. Find out which one the studio does and which would be best for you.

Reformer is fun. Expensive where we are so I do the ordinary Pilates.

I love Reformer Pilates; I usually go twice a week. I find it's a really nice overall low impact workout. It's actually the only exercise I have stuck with. The machines look a bit intimidating but once you get used to them, you'll be fine.

My main advice would be to try out a few different instructors to see which one you prefer. I've tried a few whose style of class I really didn't enjoy - some are more into gentle stretching and balance, and others are a bit more of a full on workout, some are a mix of both.

The great thing I find with the class is that 50 minutes goes really quickly, and also the classes are quite dynamic - you're never really doing the same move for longer than a minute or two, so even if you hate it you move on to something else pretty soon.

If you tell the instructor at the start of the class that you are new and they will show you how to set up the machine correctly for your height, it would also be a good idea to let them know if you have any pain/ stiffness and they should give you adaptation.

Also, I don't think there is a need to arrive 15 mins before class, you might just be waiting outside if there is a class still going on.

Our classes are half mat half reformer

Reformer is great, you'll live it. Way much more fun than normal pilates. They'll show you the ropes (literally) and it's all very controlled movements, so nothing to be scared of.
I'd love to do it again, but I moved away from a nearby studio.

Thanks everyone I loved it, went back today. Will go again next week. Got some DOMs now though 🤣

Glad you enjoyed it. I did too. The machine really helped me maintain the correct position. Mat pilates was a bit rubbish for me. But so much depends on the instructor and mine was superb.