All About the Springs on the Reformer

Springs can be found on many of the different apparatuses in Pilates, and they can cause a lot of confusion! Let’s talk about the springs on the reformer to clear up some common questions so you can use them with confidence. 

Why The Apparatuses Exist

If we look back to the origins of Pilates, Joseph Pilates first developed the mat work. It is much like a combo of calisthenics, yoga, gymnastics, and functional movements – all of which are incredibly hard. He often worked with people who had injuries and had a hard time doing body weight work, so he designed different apparatuses to help them in a variety of ways. They give support and add resistance to help build strength, control, and awareness of movement. If you deep dive into the work of beautiful movers in the Pilates world, you’ll notice their control and how strongly connected they look (like a gymnast). They’ve built this control through practice, but also by utilizing the springs to challenge themselves.

What The Springs Are For

The springs on the reformer create resistance to help you build strength. You might think then, that more springs equals more difficulty. This isn’t entirely true. Most exercises have a recommended number of springs to use. For example, three or four for footwork. We might use three for a client who is smaller or weaker, but we may also use 3 for someone who is stronger and has better awareness of how to move and control their movements. Less resistance means you need to have more control. The more a person becomes aware of how to move their body with more connection, more length, using the full body, the more they can get more of a workout with no springs at all.   

Spring Placement Matters

Where you put the springs on the reformer definitely makes a difference, but not in difficulty. Rather, it keeps the machine in good working order. If you use two springs on one side versus spacing them symmetrically (two in the middle or one on each side), it affects the wear on the wheels. The reformer will pull more to one side, causing them to wear unevenly. Also, never cross a spring over to a different hook so that it’s on an angle. This is not safe, or good for the machine.

Why Are Some Springs Coloured? 

Through my years practicing Pilates, I’ve worked out on many different reformers. Each manufacturer has different styles with slight to dramatic differences in design and features. A big differentiator can be the springs. Contemporary reformers tend to have the coloured springs, which indicate the weight of the spring. They generally have five springs: two of one weight, two of another, and a fifth that is usually the heaviest. Unfortunately, there is no set rule for the colouring, so you’ll just have to use your intuition. I recently taught a workshop on an apparatus brand that I had never used before. It took some trying things to figure out which springs supported each exercise the best.

The classical reformers have four equal-weighted springs, so there’s no guessing! When I first discovered a classical reformer I was immediately in love. First, I found that the springs felt different and made me work harder. With some research, I learned that the springs and wheels of a classical reformer do work differently. The spring closes before the carriage is fully closed, so you have to use your body to close it the rest of the way. The wheels also have a bit of a drag. People often think this is a flaw with the apparatus but it is actually meant to be that way.Second, I love the simplicity of being able to coach my clients on removing or adding springs without everyone asking “which colour, again?”. 

The Best Type of Reformer

As a classical teacher with classical equipment, I love the simplicity of the reformers. In a clinical setting, however, the classical springs might be too tough. And if you practice contemporary Pilates, there are some different exercises that the design of a classical reformer doesn’t let you do. The best reformer is going to be the one you feel most comfortable with! It can take some trial and error if you attend or teach classes at various studios. So don’t be afraid to ask questions, keep safety a priority, and remember that less can be more.