At first glance, the Reformer can look complicated. In reality, most beginners understand the basics within their first class.
Reformer Pilates is Pilates performed on a spring-based machine that can support, resist and guide movement through a wide variety of positions.
A Pilates Reformer is a piece of specialist equipment based on designs developed by Joseph Pilates. It has a padded platform called a carriage, which moves backwards and forwards along a frame.
The carriage is connected to adjustable springs. These springs can make a movement more challenging, provide support or create feedback that helps you understand how evenly and smoothly you are moving.
The simplest explanation: the Reformer is a moving platform with adjustable spring resistance that allows Pilates exercises to be performed lying, sitting, kneeling and standing.
The Reformer works through the relationship between the moving carriage, the springs and your body position.
You push or pull the carriage using your legs, arms or straps while trying to keep the movement smooth and controlled.
Adding a spring does not always make an exercise harder. In some positions, more spring gives support. In others, it creates greater resistance.
If one side pushes harder, the carriage may move unevenly. If you lose control, the carriage may become noisy or move too quickly.
The same spring setting can feel completely different depending on whether you are lying down, kneeling, sitting or standing.
Many people enjoy the Reformer because it combines clear physical feedback with a large variety of exercises.
A class can train the legs, hips, trunk, back, shoulders and arms within one session.
Spring settings can be changed to suit the exercise, the person and the level of challenge required.
The carriage allows movements to feel fluid while still requiring control.
The machine helps you feel whether you are moving evenly, smoothly and with enough control.
You can work lying, sitting, kneeling and standing, using the footbar, straps, box or other equipment.
Exercises can be adapted from introductory to highly challenging without changing the basic method.
A Reformer class is often more varied and dynamic than people expect. You are unlikely to spend the entire session lying down.
The first part prepares the joints, breathing and muscles for the work ahead.
The class may move between footwork, straps, kneeling, seated and standing exercises.
The final part usually reduces the pace and allows the body to settle.
Reformer Pilates is often described as a core workout, but that is only part of the picture. A balanced class works the whole body.
Footwork, standing exercises and lunging patterns can train the thighs, glutes, calves and hip muscles.
The trunk supports the body while the carriage moves, helping develop strength and control around the spine and pelvis.
Straps and spring resistance allow pushing, pulling and reaching movements for the upper body.
Many exercises require several parts of the body to work together while the carriage remains controlled.
Reformer Pilates does not isolate one muscle group for an entire class. It teaches the body to create strength, support and movement together.
Sometimes—and sometimes it is harder.
The springs can support a movement that would feel difficult on the floor. They can also add resistance, remove stability or make it harder to control the carriage.
The equipment does not decide the difficulty. The spring setting, body position, range, tempo and exercise all influence how challenging it feels.
Our Mat vs Reformer guide explains the differences in more detail.
Yes. The machine is unfamiliar, but beginners do not need to understand it before attending a class.
Dedicated beginner classes introduce the carriage, springs, straps and footbar clearly while still providing a full-body workout. Most people attend a few beginner classes before moving into Mixed Ability.
Some clients remain in Beginner because they prefer the pace and teaching style. Beginner is not a race to complete; it can simply be the class level that suits someone best.
Worth remembering: you are not expected to learn the Reformer in one lesson. Familiarity develops through repetition.
The Reformer provides resistance and feedback, but you still have to control the carriage and organise your body.
Mobility is part of a class, but Reformer Pilates also develops strength, endurance, balance and coordination.
Lying down removes some balance demands, but the springs and carriage can make the exercise highly challenging.
You do not need previous Pilates experience or a particular fitness level. The class should be appropriate for your starting point.
Strength, mobility, coordination and balance are useful for everyone.
There is no single type of Reformer client. People often enjoy it if they:
Our introductory offer gives you time to learn the machine, experience a few classes and decide whether Reformer suits you.
