Reformer vs PT

[tostaky]

Hi, I am about to receive a little bit of money and i was thinking of buying a pass either at a reformer studio nearby or some PT sessions
My goal is 1) building muscles and then 2) losing weight. I already do yoga and pilates three times a week. BMI 27 (i would like to lose a stone in order to get into the healthy BMI range). Im a 50yo female. Weak pelvic floor so no running or jumping for me. A bit worried about lifting (hence considering Reformer)

what would be the best way to achieve my goals?

if i go for PT, what is the best value for money 30mins sessions or 1hr sessions?

just wanted to add: im thinking of spending about £1000. That would mean 1 Reformer class a week for a year or 1 one hour PT session for 6 months or 1 30-mins sessions for 9 months. Roughly

If you’re already doing reformer then a PT would be good or some 1:1 reformer sessions. I do a lot of reformer and also have pelvic floor issues. I feel like I need to do some weights to build muscle as reformer isn’t doing enough.
you need a PT that is clued up on pelvic floor so you don’t end up doing lots of squats / crunches that put pressure on pelvic floor.

@Geminispark thanks - same with yoga/pilates- i feel i need more than my own body weight to gain more muscles….

100% a PT. But just make sure it’s a good post natal trained - I would probably say a woman who’s had babies or is a bit older herself just so you can talk openly about any pelvic issues! I see a PT twice a week and have terrible pelvic floor and everything is designed with that in mind.
reformer is great but isn’t going to give you the muscles and bone density focus you need at this age. My figure has changed drastically for the better since my PT!

They do different things tbh, and I am now doing a mix of advanced pilates, reformer and PT each week. Mid 40s and have never felt stronger. May be speak to a few PTs and see how you feel after that? A good one will understand what your goals are and work with you.

if you want to loose weight then you need to do aerobic cardio to burn fat and be in a calorie deficit, and to built muscle you need to lift weights. Building muscle whilst trying to lift weights, and just muscle as a woman can be difficult but once you burn fat you get better muscle definition and tone anyway.
TLDR: PT

Thanks all
what about 30mins session vs 1 hr session?
in terms of value for money?
perhaps 30 mins is more intense, more focused? And so better value?

I'd start with an hour as 30min isn't long once you warm up and stretch, but then maybe drop it to 30min and do those things yourself once you know what you're doing. I used to begrudge paying my PT to stand there watching me warm up for 10min so tended to get there before my session time to warm up on my own and then I maximised my time with them, and same with stretching at the end.

Is there a virgin active near you if there is reformer pilates and all classes are included in the membership so you could use the money monthly paying for it all that way. The have weight lifting classes everything fitness related plus a free pt session.

Also have a look at Caroline Girvan on YouTube, I’m going to start doing her 30 mins dumbbell workouts at home

You do need to be in calorie deficit to lose fat but you don’t have to do cardio. I’ve lost 10kg on just strength training and calorie counting. I don’t do any cardio at all.

In answer to OP I found having a PT game changer for me.

Same! It is basically outsourcing the knowledge, motivation and planning - and having someone who can listen to your goals, tailor your plans exactly for it (rather than a generic you tube workout) and then monitor your progress, correct your form and push you when they know you are ready. Honestly it’s the best money I’ve ever ever spent.

I do reformer 4-5x a week and whilst it’s excellent for core it’s not the best way to build muscle. The best way to build muscle is to get a gym membership and use the resistance machines. Or Caroline Girvan online (but need to buy heavy enough dumbells). And really push yourself. No need for PT.

Thanks all - I sometimes do CG videos but i would need to buy better weights. I have a few odd hand me downs weights and they are far away from being ideal… Maybe i’ll do CG tbis summer/autumn and get a PT for the winter months when motivation is harder to come by…
ive tried the gym but i get bored of doing things on my own. Also i cannot afford a yoga studio membership on top of a gym membership and there is no way i stop the yoga studio… the teachers are simply better than the ones at the gym (and ive tried most of the local gyms over the years).