Pilates is a powerful, dynamic workout for your entire body and is excellent for improving your posture and increasing strength and flexibility. While most people are familiar with traditional pilates workouts on a large yoga mat, Reformer Pilates uses a specialised machine for a killer workout that gets every part of your body engaged.
Before you start your first reformer Pilates class, it’s normal to feel nervous and unsure of what you might expect.
Give yourself some credit:
Please be kind to yourself and applaud yourself for trying something new. It might feel intimidating when you see the Reformer for the first time, or the person next to you can do the movements seamlessly, but remember, we all need to start somewhere. Remind yourself that it will take a few classes before you master the reformer and movements. Everyone else in the class was a beginner at one point too.
The basic principles of the exercises used in Reformer Pilates are the same as regular pilates, but there are a few things you should know before heading into your first class.
Anatomy of the Reformer machine
Knowing the anatomy of the Reformer machine will help you feel less intimidated by it- so let’s start with the basics.
A Pilates Reformer machine from Framefitness is made up of a flat carriage, a set of springs near your feet which is hidden by a platform, a foot bar, resistance straps with loops for your hands, shoulder blocks, and a headrest. Next to the machine, you often will find some Pilates accessories like a Magic Circle or light hand weights.
The springs on a reformer for pilates are colour coded, determining the resistance and difficulty level. Don’t worry too much about this because your instructor will help determine which spring you should use and explain any modifications before you start moving. It’s easy to swap over springs if you load up too much resistance on the first go, so don’t power through any pain.
Smaller class sizes
Try to find a studio that doesn’t take any more than 6-8 people in a class. The more intimate the class is, the more interaction you will get with your instructor, who will help you with your technique and show you how to use the reformer safely. It’s also important to take it slow when you first start so you can learn how to self-correct your movements, avoid injuries and get the most out of your workout. Having a smaller class size will also help you focus and allow you to enjoy the mind-body-breath connection that will come after attending classes for some time.
Before you jump into buying a studio membership, an introductory Reformer Pilates class is an excellent way to learn how to perform different exercises, and most studios will require you to do one before joining on a membership. If they don’t recommend trying before you join, I suggest you purchase a class pass before opting for a membership to ensure it’s the correct type of exercise for you.
The studio culture
When choosing a studio for a membership, make sure that they align with your values. Your instructors should be welcoming and interactive, and you should feel comfortable asking questions. Choosing a studio with this in mind will keep you coming back to your classes and make your experience much more enjoyable. If you join a studio just because you think they look good on Instagram, but they don’t align with your core values, the excitement will ware off quickly and you won’t find it enjoyable in the long run.
It’s suitable for everyone
People often assume you need to be very flexible to do Pilates or that it’s just a bit of stretching and core movements, but Reformer Pilates is a versatile workout that can benefit anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. It offers a full range of motion, which allows participants to get every part of their body burning all whilst targeting small or large muscle groups.
This type of exercise has many benefits for a wide range of people and reformer machines are easy to use for people with limited mobility. People from all walks of life enjoy the benefits from Pilates. You might find a professional athlete recovering from an injury, a retiree looking to up their golf game and a beautiful ballerina working on their overall fitness in the same class.
Reformer Pilates is a fun and very effective way to workout. It gives you the opportunity to focus on your mind-body connection which can help you better understand your own body.
About the author
Rima Alijew is the owner of acclaimed Pilates, Barre and Yoga studio, Trunk Studios, she has a passion for helping her clients establish long and healthy relationships with themselves. Rima prides herself in putting the client first and believes that health is not about how an individual looks, but how they feel inside.
