A Pilates reformer looks a little like a bed frame with a sliding platform (the carriage) where the mattress would be. Various ropes and pulleys connect your hands or feet with the reformer’s springs, increasing the tension and intensity of your Pilates exercise.
As the name suggests, a reformer class is designed to reform your body’s movement patterns, eliminating bad habits to improve posture, strength, and mobility.
Lying, kneeling, sitting or standing; each reformer session is a total body workout and a balance between strength, flexibility and control.
Classes are based predominantly around the Reformer but may also include other pieces of studio equipment, where needed to help challenge areas of difficulty. The Goal of a reformer classes is to create an increased variety of coordinated movements and do what is was named to do…reform your body!
The Reformer is perfect for everyone no matter what age or level. If you enjoy mat Pilates but want more intensity and challenge as well as feedback on alignment then the Reformer is a great piece of apparatus.
Please note classes may not be suitable for you if you are carrying significant injuries or require Pilates for rehabilitation.
If you’re already familiar with mat Pilates, you’ll find many of the exercises translate straight to the reformer but in a more intense and challenging way. That doesn’t make the reformer ‘better’ than the mat – it’s a different discipline with different aims.
The main technical difference between a tower and reformer is the positioning of the springs. They’re centrally located on a reformer and wore widely spread on a tower. Practically, that makes the tower a little easier to master, and enables you to work on different muscle groups in different ways.
Mixing classes and equipment is a great way to build variety into your Pilates practice.
