Pilates on the Reformer
Much more than just the latest fitness craze. The Reformer is a truly marvellous piece of equipment. It brings great versatility and diversity to your Pilates session. I have been teaching Reformer Pilates for over 10 years, and it seems the whole world is catching on now.
Recently, Zoe has joined me in teaching Reformer sessions too.
If you simply want to read about our special offer for new clients or book a visit or call before booking please visit our new 1 to 1 clients page.
How will the Reformer benefit you?
The Reformer is spring loaded. We vary the springs and therefore the resistance you work with.
Lying on the Reformer is very supportive . Whilst you are supported you still work on strength, stamina and flexibility. This feature of Reformer Pilates can be helpful if you need a rehab based Pilates session.
With the Reformer exercise repertoire, we can adapt the exercises and the resistance to make exercises more or less demanding. You might be lying on your back, keeling, standing or sitting. We’ll never run out of options and new challenges to learn alongside familiar exercises.
What makes the Reformer really special is the movement of the carriage. It is strangely calming, and quite fun . Trust me on this one, even if you think the Reformer looks a bit scary (and you aren’t alone there). At the same time the motion adds intensity and complexity to the exercises because you aren’t just moving you, you’re moving the Reformer as well
Here is really short Reformer demo from me.
How the Reformer is helping my clients
Ruth has spinal stenosis and the supportive nature of the Reformer has enabled her work without pain from the stenosis and be able to build strength in her legs and bottom
Josie is very fit and we use the Reformer to challenge her to make further stamina and strength gains. She has chronic fatigue and doesn’t tolerate high impact exercise but we have the Reformer Jumpboard. Jumping on the Reformer (yes really) adds an element of cardio to her session.
Chris has chronic lower back pain and we use the Reformer to add variety to his sessions and use lying and standing on the Reformer to ensure good alignment during the exercises.
Julie is a regular gym user and came for advice regarding upper body strength training. She’s stayed because she loves the Reformer so much.
Other Pilates Studio Equipment
Pilates Wunda Chair
The Wunda Chair is, at least nominally, chair shaped and many of the exercises are done from a seated position although you can also stand and lie down and use it. It has spring loaded pedals which can be pushed with the hands and feet.
How has the Wunda Chair helped people?
Helen started Pilates to develop general strength after abdominal surgery and knee surgeries. We used the Reformer as a supportive environment to safely build strength in the legs and abdominal wall, and very soon after, added in Wunda Chair exercises to work the legs and knees from the more demanding standing position.
Pat wants to stay strong past her 70th birthday and we use the Wunda Chair for strength work and variety. Squats and lunges are great and we use those too, but using the Wunda Chair means we can load the legs separately and develop strength with the legs in variety of positions, not just the basic (and still valuable) squat position.
Sonia has injured her knees in a fall and we always allocate some of each session to knee exercises. The Wunda Chair can be used rather like a Gym Leg Press machine for Sonia.
Sarah has had partial knee replacements in both knees and she also needs dedicated work on the knee muscles and also around the hips too. There are standing, seated and lying exercise on the Wunda chair to target this.
This is a short clip of me on the Wunda Chair, showing a tiny fraction of what it can do
Pilates Spine Corrector
Poor old spine corrector. It is lumbered with a dodgy name and looks rather dull compared to the glamourous Reformer. Don’t be fooled though. It is extremely useful. There are a few things in the classical matwork repertoire that I can only do if have the Spine Corrector to help me. More often than not I use it to assist exercise rather than to make things more challenging.
It depends upon what you want to achieve, how fit you are, whether we are aiming for rehabilitation, joint mobility, strength or anything else in between.
Who has really enjoyed using the Spine Corrector?
Gill has Scoliosis and we use the it to get a little bit of back bend into her spine, plus increased rotation on the tighter side.
If you sit in the dip and curve back, the spine is supported via the shape of the spine corrector. With that extra support, you can do a whole range of abdominal exercises with greater ease, more range and less likelihood of neck strain. Lots of people have enjoyed the opportunity to do abdominal work which feels more doable and less strained.
When Marilyn couldn’t get onto the floor she could manage to sit on the spine corrector and do a variety of leg strength exercises.
This is a short clip of me on the Spine Corrector.
If you would like to talk to Alison about 1:1 Pilates or book a session with Zoe or Alison, please contact me by phone, WhatsApp or email.
Session Costs
If you are new to Pilates Leeds we have a very good special offer for you. You can book three 1 to 1 sessions for just £99.
You are welcome to just book one session at £49 if you prefer to do that.
After you have had the special offer, the prices are :
£49 for one session,
£220 for a block of 5 (£44 each),
£390 for a block of 10 (£39 each).
Please note that for your first session (only) you are required to pay in advance.
For all of the sessions, if you cancel on the day then we ask you to pay a cancellation fee of £20 but if you cancel within one hour of the session we will charge you the full amount.
You can pay securely with your credit or debit card using the box immediately below. If you prefer to pay with PayPal, then you can do so by using the box further down the page. If you would like to speak to me before going ahead and making your booking please contact her by phone or email.
IMPORTANT: If this is the first time you have done Pilates with us, please can you fill out a very short Health Questionnaire before you attend class. (It only takes 2 mins). It is necessary for your safety, our planning and for our Insurance purposes.