To those who are new to Pilates, a reformer can look like a medieval contraption. Students lay down on a platform attached to springs and use their own body weight as resistance to tone all over. If those two sentences intimidated you, don’t worry. It may take you some time to adjust to the equipment, but once you’re comfortable, you’re in for one of the best workouts of your life.
“My favorite thing about Pilates reformer is that it is a total body workout,” says Bailey Rizer of Washington, D.C.’s reformer-based Reformation Fitness. “Mat Pilates can be super challenging but focuses more on stretching and core—while this is awesome and needed, I myself just love the hundreds of moves you can perform on a reformer and you can really attack all muscle groups.” If you go to a reformer class, expect a more chiseled figure all over. And who wouldn’t want that?
Here are five tips for the best Pilates reformer experience:
1. Heed Cues
Rizer advises that those new to the reformer should pay careful attention to the instructions the teacher is giving. “Listening to cues is crucial so students understand how to prevent lower back pain and focus on strengthening the core,” Rizer says. Luckily, most reformer classes tend to be small. Reformation Fitness caps each one at six people to ensure students receive individualized attention. Newer students at the D.C. studio also are placed on a reformer in the middle of the room so they can watch other students.
2. Consider Taking a Private Lesson
“Many clients are intimidated by the reformer machine and prefer to do privates first so they can get the basics before jumping into class,” Rizer says. “This is totally based on the students comfort level.” If you go to classes regularly and pick up on cues quickly, it would be fine to go to beginner or mixed-level classes according to Rizer. Reformation requests that clients with major injuries or in recovery take one to two private sessions before going to a group lesson. This will help students know when to make adjustments and get a better workout, says Rizer.
3. A reformer class can be a toning or cardio workout
Reformer can be a different workout each time depending on the instructor and type of class. Rizer explains that Reformation Fitness offers a basics class for newer students learning the machine and a more advanced cardio-based class too. Each of Reformation’s five teachers focus on different things including cardio, small muscle groups, large muscle groups and classical style. You should go to the class that meets your personal fitness goals.
4. You don’t need a Pilates Background
If you you’ve never taken Pilates before, you can still go to a reformer class. Sure, it may take you more time to pick up on the vocabulary (do you know what pelvic tilts are?), but you’ll get there. “Having a Pilates background is always helpful,” says Rizer. “However, it is in no way mandatory and will in no way limit the workout you are put through. Pilates, like most fitness, evolves, and we are always looking to add new moves to our classes.”
5. The Benefits From Reformer Are Endless
The reformer is seen as a piece of wonder exercise equipment as the list of what clients can expect from the workout is lengthy. Rizer says students should expect a loss of inches, increased mobility, flexibility and range of motion, improved balance and coordination, improvement in posture, shortened recovery time and decreased back pain. If you have your doubts about that list, Rizer’s experiences with students should clear that right up. “I don’t think I’ve ever had someone take a class and not return,” she says. “You can tell after one hour what a difference the reformer makes and why it is so much different than a ‘regular’ workout.”
Have you ever tried the Pilates reformer?
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All images via Thinkstock
