The Reformer will get you moving from all the right places! This Pilates apparatus has a moving carriage and uses springs to assist and resist you as you move. You'll follow a specific sequence of movements that you'll build upon as you move up levels. You'll learn to become 'body aware' as you move and the focus will be on learning control and balance in your movement. We’ll encourage you to learn to embody the exercises and learn all of the ins and outs of each movement to prepare you to progress to the next levels.

Reformer – Basics

Suitable for beginners. We also recommend this level if you’re returning from a break from your Pilates practice or if you’re new to our studio.

Pre- requisites: Our group classes are not recommended for everyone. Physically you must be able to go from standing to sitting on the floor to standing UNASSISTED. 

Next level: Beyond Basics Reformer

Combining group classes: Basics Tower and Basics Studio Mat compliment Basics Reformer.

Progressing when combining classes: Moving first from Basics Mat to Beyond Basics Mat will prepare you to then move up to Beyond Basics Reformer. We recommend you continue at Basics level Tower when you first join Beyond Basics Reformer.

While there’s no fixed amount of classes you should do before moving to the next level (everyone’s different!) we suggest a minimum of 12 lessons on the Reformer with us before considering moving up to the next level.

Reformer – Beyond Basics

Here you will build on what you learned in your Basics level Reformer lessons. You’ll practise movements that start to challenge your co-ordination and build on your strength and flexibility. We promote personal responsibility in your workouts so that everyone can progress. It will be assumed that by signing up you know your Basics and are ready to take ownership of those Basic exercises as anything covered in detail at Basics level is cued now with more advanced expectations.

Pre-requisites:

• Be injury free.
• Embody your Basics - you understand how to move from your centre and with control.
• You know your equipment set up - it will be assumed you understand equipment set up and safety on our Classical style apparatus (no coloured springs) . Without assistance can set your Footbar/Springs/Headrest/Long Box/Short Box/Foot Straps.
• You know your Basic exercises (including Footwork/100/Elephant/Knee Stretches etc)
• You’ve built up enough strength and flexibility - You can put your feet in the straps easily and without opening the spring. You can perform all 10 breaths of The Hundred, 100 pumps, without needing to rest or lay the head down. You don’t feel wrist or neck pain when doing Elephant and Knee Stretches. You can easily ‘roll like a ball’ on the mat.

Next level (usually after consistently practising this level for up to a year): Intermediate Reformer.

Combining classes: You’re in BB Reformer and BB Mat and Basics Tower and considering moving up to Intermediate Reformer - the guidance is to move to Intermediate Tower and Mat FIRST as these prepare you to move up to Intermediate Reformer.

Reformer – Intermediate

Now we FLOW. You’ll get a great full body workout doing big movements that require good strength and flexibility as well as coordination. By signing up to this class it will be assumed that you are performing your Beyond Basics workouts really well. i.e. you know what you’re at and you move with control in big ranges.

Pre-requisites:

• Be injury free.
• Be able to easily roll through your spine in all directions.
• Be able to control when to and when not to move your spine in all directions when needed.
• Know your ‘transitions’.
• Know your Beyond Basics exercises thoroughly: Short Spine, Teaser (are you ready to flow straight in?), Long Stretch.
• Ideally you’ve been attending Intermediate Tower & Mat lessons in addition to your Beyond Basics Reformer lessons in preparation for joining this class - you’ll learn a lot of the Intermediate Reformer ‘choreography’ there in a more supported variation.

Next level: Int/Adv Reformer. Let me just say however, to get to a point that you are truly following the Pilates principles while able to flow through a full Intermediate Reformer workout without needing modifications - you ARE Advanced. Not everyone chooses to move up to Advanced Reformer due to the flexibility needed to do those Advanced exercises and that’s okay! Advanced Reformer is the most challenging class in the studio.

Combining classes: We advise that you should already be practising Advanced Tower and Mat before joining our Advanced Reformer classes.

Reformer – Advanced

A flowing and dynamic Advanced Classical Reformer practice is learnt over time. It requires a committed and dedicated Pilates practice to get to this level and it's here that your movement possibilities are fun and endless. It can be beneficial to prepare for joining this level with some private lessons where you can learn the Advanced exercises at your own pace and with hands on assistance and guidance from your teacher.

Pre-requisites:

• Be injury free.
• Be practising already with an advanced mindset - You’re completely in control of swiftly transitioning each exercise without needing cues for equipment set up or spring choices etc. You’re in control of your body, knowing when to challenge yourself and understanding what does or doesn’t feel good in your movement.
• You should be able to confidently, and without modification, flow through the full Intermediate Reformer order (Footwork, Long Box Series, Short Box Series, Long Stretch Series, Front Split Series etc.)
• You should be practising Pilates consistently.
• Ideally you’re already doing Advanced Mat and Tower classes to prepare you for Advanced Reformer