What is so magical about the Pilates Reformer?

First, let me start by saying that not everyone enjoys Pilates, oddly enough, I know, but it’s true.

Just as some people don’t like swimming or barre or running or yoga or bootcamps, some just don’t like Pilates. Each individual has to find the exercise that’s right for him or her. It should stimulate your mind, body, and soul. You should get a physical benefit, a mental benefit, and a spiritual benefit (loosely, nothing to do with religion but still on a deeper level than your mind or body).

That’s Pilates for me and for my clients.

I’m experimenting with a new class - a fusion of barre fitness and Pilates reformer. I tested it out this morning with a barre client who’d never been on a reformer before. I wanted a true test body for this new concept rolling around in my brain. When we were done, she said, “Cool, that was fun” and I, no joke, wistfully looked at the reformers and said, “Yeah, I know, I love the reformer” as if I was infatuated with it!

Well I am. The reformer never fails me. It talks to me. It shows me where I’m struggling and where I’m strong. It’s gentle yet forceful. It won’t back down. Just as it talks to me, it listens to my body and with a little adjusting from me, gives me exactly what I need every time, every single workout. It doesn’t judge me. It allows me to be me, to just show up, get on it, and experience a whole body workout every time (as long as I incorporate whole body exercises). As it speaks to you, it asks (demands) that you listen. Listen to your body, listen to the reformer, to be aware of how you are moving.

That’s magic. What else can you say that about? What other piece of fitness equipment (or workout, for that matter) works your large muscles, your small muscles, your pelvic floor, and engages your mind in every single workout?

I will be the first to admit, the Pilates reformer does look intimidating until you understand its design brilliance. The rolling surface with varying degrees of resistance force you to work in all directions of a move - an entire 3-dimensional experience. The plank (Long Stretch on the reformer) suddenly becomes other worldly! With proper cueing from a Pilates instructor, you’ll get the mental component to each exercise, as well. You must remain faithful to the move. It doesn’t allow you to cheat (again, with good cueing). Awareness of each exercise and the muscles firing in proper sequence are the prerequisites for a safe workout.

Finally, there is just nothing like the Pilates reformer out there. You stand, you sit, you lie down you kneel. You sit sideways, forwards, backwards. You arch your spine, flex it, rotate it, side bend it. All against a resistance that can be easy with heavy tension and hard with light tension. Exercises with no tension - meaning, the carriage (bed) is not anchored by resistance springs to a stationary bar - are the most challenging.

Heavy duty springs for some serious exercise!

YouTube is full of examples of classes on the Pilates reformer. Search for a few and you’ll see the machine in action if you are unfamiliar with it. The different brands of Pilates reformers each have their advantages and disadvantages. My bias is with Merrithew equipment (formerly STOTT equipment). Their springs are unsurpassed in the industry for quality and precision whereas other brands have basically bungee cords as their resistance tension or at best, a lighter weight spring. Merrithew even came out with a ‘power up’ spring set in which three springs are each 25% more in resistance! This is an excellent option for my stronger clients (men and some super awesome women), providing more of an athletic workout.

With all these wonderful attributes comes a price. For a quality reformer, expect to spend no less than $2000. Studio reformers are between $5000-$8000, depending on options.

Aside from that, this machine will last you into your 90s. And I do have a wonderful client in his early 90s and you know what? I get his feet in straps! There may come a time, if you enjoy running now, when you may not be able to run any longer. Or dance. Or play tennis. Or swim. Or whatever you do for exercise while you’re young. :)

You will never not be able to exercise on the reformer because it will change as you change.

That is just plain magic.