Pilates Reformer 101: Exercises, Benefits & More
You might have seen the Pilates Reformer online or at your local gym and thought, “What on earth is that?” The Pilates Reformer — which looks like a giant sliding rectangle box with pulleys and cables and straps — looks (and sounds) like a weird medieval torture device. But once you get the hang of it and take your first class, you’ll probably fall in love with this exercise equipment that originated in the early 1900s.
What is a Pilates Reformer?
The Pilates Reformer is an exercise apparatus invented by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s. It has a rectangular wood or metal frame and contains a cushioned platform that slides up and down the frame called a carriage. There are also cables with loop handles attached to pulleys for your hands and feet. While there are many iterations of the Pilates Reformer that exist, most of them contain a foot bar, cushioned shoulder pads on the carriage, and springs that allow you to adjust the resistance. Nowadays, there are even lightweight versions of the Reformer that are foldable for easy storage.
Benefits of Reformer Pilates
Along with the physical benefits, Alo Moves Pilates instructor Bianca Wise is a big fan of the mental benefits of Reformer Pilates and Pilates Reformer exercises. “It's allowing you to gain a better connection through your mind, body, and soul and allowing you to feel a little bit more aligned within yourself,” she says. “The Reformer is there to challenge us and it’s also there to build more strength and flexibility too.”
The Pilates Reformer can:
Build strength and flexibility
Improve body awareness
Increase core strength and stability
Enhance control and precision of movement
Challenge cardio endurance
Provide a low-impact workout and is easy on joints
Help with injury recovery
Is Reformer Pilates Hard for Beginners?
Practicing on the mat might be a more approachable way to start Pilates, but beginners can start with Reformer workouts with the guidance of a trained instructor. However, the added resistance of the machine and learning the functionality of a Reformer adds in a few extra steps while you’re getting into the flow of it.
If you’re practicing on a Pilates Reformer at home without an instructor, we recommend online Pilates Reformer workouts with trained instructor Bianca Melas to help guide you with form.
Is Reformer Pilates Better Than Mat Pilates?
In short, no — but it all depends on your personal goals and preferences. If you’re a beginner, we recommend starting out with Mat Pilates and understanding the foundations of the classic movements. If you’re at a more moderate to advanced fitness level and are seeking to gain strength through resistance and have access to machines, then Reformer workouts will help you achieve your goals. Either way, you’ll receive an excellent workout that you can scale to your current fitness level.
What to Wear to Pilates Reformer Class
We recommend wearing clothes that are tight to your body so nothing catches or snags on any part of the Pilates Reformer, but ultimately, you should wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and inspire you to exercise. We outlined some Pilates class outfit ideas that would work for your Reformer workouts.
Want to try online Pilates Reformer workouts for free? Get full access on Alo Moves with a free two-week trial.