What you need to know before your first Reformer Pilates Class

As a Pilates instructor with over 10 years of experience, I want to share some insights into what you need to know before your first Pilates class.

Equipment-based Pilates vs. Mat Pilates: What's the Difference?

Equipment based Pilates is slightly different than mat Pilates. When training with the Pilates equipment you are on a moving platform. This adds a little more balance, coordination, and control to your workout. The reformer, for example, uses a spring resistance system that can be adjusted to fit your individual needs. This means that instead of adjusting the weight of an exercise, you'll be adjusting spring tension to make it easier or harder.

Most studios have springs that are color coded and the instructor will always guide you on how to combine them to change the level of difficulty of an exercise. Sometimes adding more spring tension will make it easier because it offers more support. Sometimes adding more spring tension will make it harder since you are exerting more effort because of the heavier load. The beauty of equipment-based Pilates is that there's always a way to adjust the equipment to match your goals and the intention behind each exercise.

What to wear to your first Pilates class

Tight clothing is best.

Wearing tight, form-fitting athletic apparel is best for equipment-based Pilates classes. This allows your instructor to see your form better and provide adjustments during class. Loose clothing, like an oversized sweater or hoodie, can make it difficult for your instructor to see your spine's shape, whether you're bracing your abdominals correctly, or if you need to pull down your shoulders. Pilates is a precise method of movement, and even the smallest detail in body positioning and adjustment in form can change how much work you get out of each exercise.

For more details on what to wear for your first Pilates class, check out my blog article What to Wear for Your First Pilates Class which expands more on details such as jewelry, zippers etc.

Some of my favorite Pilates Brands include:

Most gentlemen prefer to wear compression type shorts or leggings underneath loose shorts as some of the exercises can cause clothing to ride up.

Some Studios require grip socks for class

High volume studios do this for hygiene reasons. Sometimes your hands are going where your feet just were AND you are relying on the person before you giving the equipment a good wipedown. If a studio does require grips socks regular socks are NOT an alternative. Grip socks have a sticky type of padding on the underside that prevent you from sliding around like you would in a traditional sock, helping to prevent injuries. Most studios have socks for sale ranging from $16-$24 but you can also find options on Amazon. I recommend the following:

What I also love about grip socks is if you have a hardwood floor or tile floor you can now wear these around your house and no longer worry about slipping and sliding.

Arrive a few minutes before class begins

If you are anything like me then you probably HATE feeling lost or confused. Give yourself time to meet the instructor, give them a heads up about any injuries you may have had, fill out your waiver, and get comfortable in the studio setting.

With students that are new to Pilates in a 1:1 setting I go over the equipment with you and give a rundown of the equipment we will be using that day before we start our session. In a group setting I review the equipment at the start of class for the beginner/entry level group class. It is a BRIEF rundown of the equipment and how to use it which is why I recommend starting with a 1:1 session so you can get more familiar with the equipment and terminology of a Pilates class.

Get ready to work but have fun!

I’m not going to lie; when done correctly, the workouts can be challenging, but also extremely fun. Think of it like an adult jungle gym without worrying about falling off the monkey bars.

Pilates works for every body. Combining strengthening, stretching, and a little cardio in each class, you will leave your sessions feeling a little taller, a little stronger, and feel more aligned inside and out.

Ready to try equipment-based Pilates for yourself? Book a session at my studio today and experience the benefits firsthand. Intimidated by the Reformer? Knowledge is power. Claim my free guide Pilates Reformer; What the heck is that? below to learn the common parts and pieces of the equipment used in a class.