Reformer Pilates Class

The magic of the Pilates Reformer

Complete mind-body solution

Pilates on the Reformer is an incredible movement system that is endlessly beneficial for your mind and body and one that should run so much deeper than the dream of a flat stomach!
Beyond your toned abs your body will be transformed from the inside out. You will notice the difference in how your body looks and moves, improving your alignment, posture, strength and flexibility.

The calming power of reformer pilates will clear your mind, leaving you de-stressed and relaxed, while taking your body confidence sky high.

A Reformer Pilates class takes your whole mind and body through an incredible flow of movement, using actions such as squatting, lunging, rotation and extension. The aim is to get our bodies moving again, stretching, strengthening, increasing mobility and challenging our neuromuscular patterns to get our bodies back into sync.

How does the Reformer work?

Reformer Pilates works using the resistance of springs. The resistance will challenge your body in every plane of movement. It will tone and strengthen your muscles and it doesn’t stop there - resistance training has long lasting benefits for bone density. Balance exercises are a big part of Reformer Pilates. Improving balance prevents falls and injuries especially as we age. As we advance through life, our muscles & bones follow a path of degeneration where they lose strength and mass. So as you work out on the reformer you are not only strengthening your body for now but looking after it for the future. Put in the ground work now to live better later on.

Balancing in the moment

Reformer Pilates balances us in every sense of the word. For many of us our minds are in overdrive, we are stressed, tired and sometimes feel a little out of control. Pilates is a wonderful form of mindfulness. No stress, no worries, just time to focus on you. This time to unwind and self reflect will benefit you for hours afterwards. You will notice how much happier, relaxed and at ease you feel after a class.

Reformer Pilates allows you to change your body goals. Instead of focusing on the scales we focus on positive body goals. These positive goals empower our minds and bodies, keeping us focused and motivated leading to unbelievable results.

The classes at Pilates Lifestyle are “fun”, dynamic and challenging. Although Reformer Pilates is one of the hardest workouts for your body you won’t notice the time fly by. After the session you will feel like a superstar - sweaty, but a superstar nonetheless!

Fun Facts about Reformer Classes

Your co-ordination is not as good as you thought it was… While you thought you nailed your left from your right decades ago, there's something about trying to balance on a reformer machine that throws the whole system into disarray.

Exhaling and inhaling can be confusing… No matter how many times you're told to inhale and exhale throughout your session, you still find yourself holding your breath for prolonged periods, and only realising after your teacher spots your red face and pursed lips!

Rolling your spine is not something that comes easy…. While you're trying your hardest to complete the apparently fluid motion, you can't help but notice your spine touching the machine is more of a 'dunk, dunk, dunk' motion.

The sound of the carriage crashing 'home' is shameful…. While everyone else is able to keep their carriage steady and glide it 'home' with ease, you're accidentally smashing yours into the end of the machine and ruining the peaceful atmosphere.

The use of the straps is vaguely disconcerting... Seeing your feet in stirrups conjures flashbacks of labour, which is not what you need when you have core-work to do.

The image of yourself falling off the carriage never leaves you... Squatting is hard at the best of times but when you're on a surface which can move at a moment's notice, you do wonder whether a toned body is worth it.

You enjoy the sound of your voice telling people you do Reformer Pilates... You may struggle to get through a sequence without getting confused, but hey, no one except your trainer and classmates need to know that.

You leave every class feeling like a total superstar... Yes, you may have some improving to do, but when it comes to it, you're owning those straps, that carriage and those abs like a total pro.

Mat vs Reformer Pilates: Which is right for you?

If you’re new to Pilates, one of the first questions you might ask is whether Mat or Reformer is the better place to start. The truth is, both are rooted in the same method and offer powerful benefits—just in slightly different ways.

Mat Pilates is where it all began. Using your own body weight, it builds deep core strength, body awareness and control. There’s a simplicity to it that can be incredibly effective. Without equipment to rely on, you learn to truly connect to your movement, refine your technique and develop strength from the inside out. It’s also wonderfully accessible—you can take what you learn on the mat anywhere.

Reformer Pilates, on the other hand, brings a different kind of support and challenge. The spring-based resistance of the machine both assists and intensifies movement, helping you find alignment while also building strength through a greater range. For many people, this makes exercises feel more achievable at the beginning, yet more progressive over time. It’s particularly helpful for improving posture, mobility and balanced strength across the body.

Reformer classes also tend to offer more variety. The machines allow for a wider repertoire of exercises, meaning sessions can feel dynamic, engaging and tailored to different needs—whether you’re building strength, recovering from injury, or simply looking to move well and feel better.

So, which is better? It’s less about one being superior, and more about what supports you best right now.

If you enjoy a minimalist, technique-focused approach, Mat Pilates is a strong foundation. If you’re looking for guided support, variety and a more adaptable workout, Reformer Pilates often becomes the preferred choice.

In practice, the two complement each other beautifully. But for many of our clients, the Reformer offers a more supported and versatile way to build strength, confidence and consistency—especially when starting out.

The types of Pilates classes:

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