What is Reformer Pilates?
The Pilates Reformer is a beautiful and sophisticated piece of Pilates equipment which uses springs, ropes and pulleys to provide the type of resisted exercise which creates the lean muscle tone that Pilates has become famous for.
The machines offer a challenging, functional, all-over-body workout for all levels of ability, and exercises can be modified and adapted to suit a variety of different conditions and ailments.
The use of this type of exercise can be excellent for bone and muscle strengthening, whilst being pelvic floor and joint safe and is well known for improving posture, body awareness and overall body strength and flexibility.
Is it for you?
It is useful to have a reasonable level of health and fitness before you start Reformer Pilates. Certain conditions may still be suitable, however it is important that you let your instructor know about these during your induction session. Our Pilates teachers are very knowledgeable and have extensive experience working with a variety of different conditions and patient populations and so it is likely that exercises may be modified accordingly to suit you if necessary.
The Pilates principles that would apply to a Mat class still apply to the Reformer and so previous experience of Pilates exercise is beneficial, but is not essential.
It is usual to find Reformer Pilates challenging, however don’t be intimidated by this, or indeed by how the machines look! Your muscles may ache and shake, however it gets easier with practice and the more you do, the more familiar you’ll feel.
Our Reformer Classes
All of our Reformer classes are currently run from our spacious boutique studio at our clinic on Whitsundoles Farm, Milton Keynes. All classes are led by experienced Pilates practitioners and Physiotherapists, ensuring that you are guaranteed to receive an effective workout delivered by knowledgeable teachers. Classes are kept small at a maximum of 6 people, to ensure that individual attention is received during the classes, and that your technique is optimised throughout. Our classes comply with social distancing regulations in accordance with government guidelines.
These classes are popular and so pre-booking is essential. For class timings please check our timetable frequently as new classes are likely to be added into the schedule on a regular basis.
Your health and safety is at the forefront of our thinking and in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic we have had a major studio restructure to do our absolute best to ensure this. We now operate a strict studio policy for all classes and one to one sessions and this will be made clear before you attend our studio for any sessions. Our reformers are also spaced 2m apart to comply with safe social distancing guidance as outlined by the government. For further information regarding our Covid-19 policies please email us directly.
Induction
For safety reasons, all new clients will require an induction session before they begin our Reformer classes. This is to ensure that you are familiarised with how to set up and use the Reformers before entering the class setting, making sure you feel confident to join and preventing disruption of the class flow. All Reformer brands are slightly different and so it is important that you’re familiar with the machines and relevant safety information before use. These sessions are 30 minutes long and are arranged at a time to suit you.
This session is really a one to one, and we will take you through some of the Reformer repertoire to ensure you get a good feel for the machine. It also enables us to gauge your level of ability, and if there is anything we need to be aware of before you start regarding specific issues or problems. This is to make sure you get the absolute best out of your Pilates classes.
Beginners Reformer
Our Reformer beginner classes are suitable for complete novices and new beginners to Pilates. Although it is useful to have some degree of Pilates experience before you start, THIS IS NOT ESSENTIAL as everything including the key Pilates principles will be covered within your beginners course.
You can guarantee you will be in safe hands while you get to literally “Learn the ropes” and if you have any specific conditions, exercises can be modified to suit you appropriately..
Once you know the basics, you can move up a step and try our Intermediate/Mixed level classes, or embark into our Enliven POWER program if you feel like more of a challenge!
Although you are entering as a complete beginner, these initial classes will still be challenging and you will still feel as though you have worked your whole body by the end of your classes [because you have!].
To enter our beginners program please email us.
This class is 60 minutes long
Intermediate/Mixed Level Reformer
These classes are a step up from the Beginners program. Once you’re familiarised with the machines and feel confident to move on, you may wish to progress yourself further by joining one of these classes. You will feel more of a challenge, as this class uses exercise and strengthening principles to work the body in a more advanced way.
This class is 60 minutes long
Enliven POWER Reformer
We have spent the last 6 months using the knowledge gained from our 17 years of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Pilates experience to create this unique Reformer class. We have applied our extensive strength and conditioning expertise to come up with a challenging class which will really test your Reformer Pilates ability! This class really brings Reformer exercise to a whole new level and is not for beginners or those with active joint problems, painful conditions or balance issues. To book onto this class, email or call us directly.
This class is 60 minutes long
Please note: In light of Covid-19 we are currently not running our pre and postnatal reformer classes. Please keep checking back as this is likely to change later in the year.
Postnatal Reformer
This is a gentle class, suitable for new mums from 8 weeks postnatal. Whatever your delivery method, this class will ensure you will get back in touch with your core muscles and pelvic floor, as well as strengthening the rest of the body in a safe and progressive way.
It is useful if you have had a Mum Check with us prior to attending this class, particularly if you think you may have a diastasis abdominus [tummy muscle separation] or pelvic floor dysfunction. We can discuss these issues when you attend for your induction, however it may be that further assessment and/or Physiotherapy/GP referral may also be required depending on your symptoms.
This class is 45 minutes long and BABIES ARE WELCOME!
Prenatal Reformer
This class is suitable for the pregnant woman at all stages of pregnancy, as long as you have done Reformer Pilates before and your pregnancy is complication-free.
It is a gentle class specially designed to keep your core active and your body flexible and strong during your pregnancy.
To book onto this class, you will need an induction beforehand and a pre-screening to ensure you are suitable health-wise to attend.
This class is 45 minutes long
