The reformer is the most well known of the large Pilates studio equipment. Like the cadillac and wunda chair, it uses springs which can be adjusted to provide assistance to support you, or resistance to challenge you.
The reformer has a sliding carriage that moves as you push against the footbar or pull on the straps using your hands or feet.
The reformer and other studio equipment were invented by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. I teach private studio classes in the Pilates Method tradition, where the reformer is used alongside the other large equipment to tailor exercises to your needs. In these sessions, we work to continually build on performance and technique by adapting the exercises as you become stronger and move more efficiently.
Reformer classes are a recent phenomenon. They are held in larger studios with a number of reformers, where a group run through exercises together as in a mat class. However, there is little time or scope for personalising settings and tuition, so it’s harder for an instructor to teach a group of clients on reformers effectively.
The popularity of Pilates and the recent increase in demand for reformer teachers has led to a proliferation of Fitness Pilates courses, which may teach the exercise choreography but skimp on the substance of the Pilates Method which makes it so effective. The Society for the Pilates Method says “We do not believe that training providers should offer Reformer courses and qualifications to teachers who hold no prior education and qualification in Pilates.”
If you are fit and well and want to try some of what Pilates can offer, you might enjoy and benefit from attending a reformer class. If you want to experience the transformative effect of the full Pilates method, or are starting Pilates to help with pain or to recover from an injury, I recommend you look for a teacher with comprehensive training in the Pilates Method and start with some private tuition. In either case, don’t be afraid of asking your teacher for their credentials before signing up with them. My teaching association recommends no more than 10 in a reformer class and 12 in a mat class.
Further reading
- Ultimate Guide to the Reformer by Balanced Body
- Group Reformer Classes: Our View by Body Control Pilates
- The Society for the Pilates Method “Promoting Excellence in Pilates”
First published: Sep’19, Last updated: Nov’25
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