Reformer Foundations

Your first steps on the reformer. We cover the springs, the straps and the footbar, and build the core control every other class relies on. Nothing here assumes you have done Pilates before, and nothing moves faster than you can follow.

What a class looks like

The first ten minutes are spent on the machine itself: how to set your springs, where the headrest goes, what the straps are for, and how to get on and off safely. After that we move through footwork, arm work in straps, a short abdominal series and a stretch to finish. Every exercise is offered at two or three levels so you can take the version that suits your body today.

Expect to be corrected often, and take it as a good sign. Small adjustments are what make the exercise work.

Who it is for

Complete beginners, people coming back after a long break, and anyone who has done mat Pilates but never touched a reformer. It is also a sensible reset if you have been training for a while and suspect you have picked up a few habits.

What to bring

Grippy socks, which we also sell at the desk, and clothes you can move in without adjusting. Leave the water bottle by the wall rather than on the carriage. Arrive ten minutes early for your first one so we can set your machine with you rather than around you.

Good to know

Classes are capped at eight, so your teacher has time to come to you. If you are pregnant, recovering from an injury or working around a specific condition, tell us when you book and we will either adjust the class or point you at Prenatal and Postnatal or a private session instead.