The Pilates Reformer

To continue the apparatus blog series, it’s time to talk about the Pilates reformer. (Read about the mat and the tower in previous posts.) More people are learning about this “machine” called the reformer, but it isn’t a new apparatus by any means. Joseph H. Pilates invented and designed the reformer, and got a patent for the design in the early 1920’s. Back then, the Pilates reformers found in his New York gym (Pilates studio) were like furniture pieces with claw feet.  

The Anatomy of the Pilates Reformer

Today, the classical reformers made by Gratz, Legacy, Pilates by Design, and Balanced Body Contrology Line (to name a few) are the most similar to the original reformers. These all come with the following “parts”: 

• Footbar
• Strap
• Springs
• Carriage
• Head Rest
• Shoulder Blocks
• Leather or Rope Straps
• Pulleys
• Reformer Frame
• The Box
• Jump Board (optional)

There are also many reformers on the market that are variations of the original. They may be wider, longer, have moving or padded footbars, or have towers attached. I’ve even seen a reformer that rocked like a cradle. 

The Pilates reformer is said to have gotten its name because it was designed to help you reform your body. It took me years to understand how this could be, but it actually has a lot to do with the design of a reformer. I used to be excited to get on any reformer to do a workout but I now have my favourites. Some most definitely show you when your body is moving asymmetrically, or is twisted or crooked. These reformers will force you to self-correct because the movements and how the reformer feels when you move will feel off unless you make a change. Not all reformers “feel” this way, and I love the ones that do. 

How to Use the Pilates Reformer

The reformer, like the mat work, has a sequence of exercises that go in a set order. One exercise prepares you for the next and upcoming exercises in the sequence. In my original training we learned to teach two orders of the exercises: the first order being Level 1-3 and the second order being the level 1-3 plus level 4 and 5 exercises that you can add on. Since then, I’ve learned slightly different orders of the exercises in some other training programs, but for the most part, the orders are very similar. This is how the reformer is taught/used in classical Pilates. 

Like on the mat, reformer workouts start with you laying down and slowly progress to lifting your legs and upper body, sitting, getting on top of the box (long box then short box), standing and kneeling with your hands for support, and finally standing without holding on. Since the reformer moves, this makes some exercises both fun and sometimes scary! Of course, we work towards building core strength and control to be able to do these more challenging exercises. 

Joseph Pilates had wall charts with photos of the exercises in his gym, so his clients could follow along on their own. I love being in a studio that has the exercises posted, too. It’s a great way to learn the names of the exercises and how to set up the equipment for each one. 

Where to Try the Reformer

The reformer is one of the staple apparatuses in any Pilates studio; often, it’s the only apparatus a studio has. You may find reformer-only studios with rows of reformers, while others have a couple of reformers plus all of the other apparatuses to support your practice. Each one has its purpose, but the Pilates reformer is so popular for good reason: it’s an adjustable and adaptable piece of equipment that almost anyone can use to help them increase their flexibility, mobility, and strength. In turn, this helps improve their mat Pilates practice and everything else they love to do in life.