Spot Fitness: A Beginner’s Guide to Reformer Pilates

(SPOT.ph) If there’s one workout that has surged in popularity over the years, it’s Reformer Pilates. Studios have been popping up all over Metro Manila, but with classes starting at a pretty steep price, it can be hard to tell if it’s worth the investment—or even the right workout for you.

It doesn't help that Reformer Pilates has also developed a very specific image on social media: fitness girls arriving in coordinated activewear, tumbler in hand, and making controlled movements look almost effortless. The workout has a lot more going on than the aesthetic suggests; in fact, it actually started out as a workout for soldiers in wartime. Yeah, it is definitely not as easy as it looks.

If you've been thinking of giving Reformer Pilates a try, here’s everything you need to know before getting on the machine.

• What is Reformer Pilates?

• What do you need for Reformer Pilates?

• What to know about Reformer Pilates if you’re a beginner

• Reformer Pilates studios in Metro Manila

Reformer Pilates may look like a very modern studio workout, but it goes back to Joseph Pilates, a German trainer who developed his method in the early 1900s.

Its origin is usually traced to World War I, when Pilates worked with injured or weakened people. He began using spring-based resistance to help the body move even when a person could not do a full workout. That idea eventually evolved into the Reformer: a bed-like frame with a sliding carriage, springs and straps.

He called it “Contrology” at that time, because the point was not just to exercise, but to move with precision, breath, and, well, control. Eventually, Pilates opened a studio in New York, the method quickly catching on with dancers. The rest is history.

Today, the Reformer may look intimidating at first, but its parts are fairly straightforward. You lie or sit on a padded platform called the carriage, which slides along the frame. Depending on the exercise, you may push against the footbar with your feet, pull on the straps with your arms or legs, or use both while trying to keep the carriage moving smoothly.

The springs determine how much support or resistance you get: more tension can feel more stable, but they can also make the carriage heavier to push; lighter springs offer less tention, but can feel harder because there is less support to keep you stable. Studios may also incorporate bands, balls, rings, or blocks into the exercise to add resistance, guide your alignment, or make it easier to feel which muscles should be working.

Because the carriage moves, even a simple-looking exercise can be very challenging. The goal is not to move as fast as possible, but to keep the movement steady while the right muscles stay engaged.

The most important thing you need to have is grip socks, which have rubber grips on the soles to help prevent slipping on the Reformer. If you don't own a pair yet, many studios sell them on-site.

For clothing, wear fitted, stretchy activewear that lets you move freely, such as leggings or shorts paired with any workout top. Also bring a water bottle and, if you tend to sweat, a small towel.

A quick tip: If it's your first session, try to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Mention that you're a beginner so the instructor can explain how the machine works. You don’t want to squeeze all that into a class that only runs for around 50 to 55 minutes.

Your coach is expected to walk you through the equipment and exercises during your first class, but there are still a few things to keep in mind before you step into the studio. We all want to feel at least a little prepared, after all.

For this, we spoke to Kirsten Ignacio, a coach at E.Space Pilates + Physio, and Clara Rosales, who regularly takes Reformer Pilates classes.

If social media is your only exposure to Pilates, it's easy for a very specific image to come to mind: women in matching workout sets who already look toned, flexible, and completely at home in the studio. The reality is much less intimidating.

According to Ignacio, there is no single look—or fitness level—you need to fit before joining a class.

“Pilates is for everyone. Different types, different ages, ethnicities, different goals—they are welcome.”

Rosales admitted she had the same assumptions before signing up: "I wish I knew you didn't have to dress up for this. Everyone online looks great in their matching sets and embroidered grip socks, but it's totally okay to show up in comfy clothes that won't hinder movement."

And don’t worry if you’re not particularly strong or flexible yet. The Reformer is a lot more adaptable than it looks. Whether you're recovering from an injury, pregnant, dealing with a medical condition, or simply haven't exercised in years, Ignacio said the exercises can be modified while still working toward the same goal. That may mean a lighter spring resistance, a slower pace, or a completely different variation. The workout meets you where you are.

"The instructor would gauge based on what you're capable of. Then from there, we're going to build up the intensity... It's a gradual buildup," Ignacio said.

You can absolutely begin with a group class, but if your budget allows, one private session is ideal to help you understand what is happening before you are expected to follow along with everyone else.

Ignacio said a one-on-one class gives the instructor more time to explain the machine, correct your position, and adjust the exercises based on your needs. This is especially useful if you have an injury, medical condition, or specific fitness or recovery goal.

That was the case for Rosales, who started her journey with Reformer Pilates with a private class after her doctor recommended low-impact workouts following her wrist injury: "I always recommend a few private sessions to first-timers, not because I don't believe they can handle a group class from the get-go, but because it's much better if a coach can assess your strengths and weaknesses, target specific concerns, and come up with a workout plan that matches your pace."

Some studios like E.Space Pilates + Physio may also offer a posture assessment for first-timers, which gives the instructor a baseline before deciding which exercises could help.

Don't be embarrassed if your instructor approaches you to correct your form. That is part of the experience, especially if you're still a beginner who's figuring out what to do.

That correction matters because even a small change in position can affect which muscles are doing the work. If your ribs, hips, or feet are slightly out of place, another part of your body may take over instead. A good instructor should not only cue the movement, but also watch how you perform it.

“What’s important is that they have the eye for correction in your form,” Ignacio said. “They observe and apply their observation onto you by tailoring the program.”

That should still happen in a group class. Ignacio said the instructor may not be beside you the entire time, but they should check each participant and adjust the exercise as needed. If you feel like you are being left to copy everyone else, it may be worth trying a different class or studio until you find an instructor whose teaching style works for you.

When instructors remind you to breathe, it’s not because they want you to relax. In Pilates, breathing is a big part of how you control the movement. Beginners can get so caught up in what they should be doing that they forget to breathe through the hardest part.

“When you’re breathing, you’re connecting your breath with your movement. You’re connecting with your muscles,” Ignacio said. “A general rule for Pilates—this could differ in different institutions or Pilates academies—but from what I’ve learned, the main rule is inhale when you’re preparing for something and then exhale when you’re exerting the effort.”

Not to mention, holding your breath will lessen blood flow throughout your body, which Ignacio said may make you feel lightheaded during the class.

That exhale can also help you understand what “engage your core” is supposed to feel like. Ignacio’s cue is simple: “Kunyari uubo ka.” Notice how your midsection tightens—that’s closer to the feeling you want than simply pulling your stomach in.

If you come from a gym background, your instinct may be to move faster to get it over with, but that only lets momentum do the work—and defeats the point of the class you paid for. The real challenge is to move slowly enough that you remain in control from beginning to end.

According to Ignacio, moving slowly keeps the muscles working for longer. What looks like a simple movement can become much more difficult once you are required to control every part of it—which is exactly the point.

“When you’re doing it slowly, you’re firing a lot of muscle fibers. So it’s very efficient for your muscles. We have different contractions, so when you’re controlling those contractions, it also helps with blood flow,” Ignacio said.

It may not feel like much is happening at first, but don't mistake slow for ineffective. For Rosales, the results spoke for themselves over time: “My coaches put great importance in slow and safe, but steady growth. It wasn’t about how I looked anymore, but how I didn’t have to catch my breath after flights of stairs, or how my wrists don’t hurt like crazy anymore, or how I can walk out every day thinking I am strong and capable.”

Branches: Fairview, Kanlaon, Maginhawa, Timog, and White Plains in Quezon City; Marikina City; SMDC Jazz Mall in Makati City; and Avida Towers Centera in Mandaluyong City

Operating hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day for most branches but it's best to double-check before you go

Rates: Starts at P999 for a single group class

What makes E.space stand out is its accessibility. It has one of the largest networks among Reformer Pilates studios in Metro Manila, with nine branches across Quezon City, Marikina, Makati, and Mandaluyong. It is also among the more affordable options, with package rates that are lower than many boutique studios.

The studio also says its Reformer classes are guided by Pilates-trained physiotherapists, with an emphasis on proper form and movement. That makes it a good option for beginners who want more guidance while learning the basics.

Branches: Park West Building in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, and Axis Tower 4 in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Operating hours: BGC branch: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends

Rates: Starts at P1,350 for a single group class

Fit to Live is for people who want Reformer Pilates to feel more like a structured training program than a one-off boutique workout. Beginners can start with introductory and foundation sessions before moving into classes built around mobility, stretching, strength, or more athletic movements.

The studio also doubles as a Pilates education and rehabilitation space. Fit to Live is listed as a host studio by BASI Pilates, an international instructor-training organization, which gives it a stronger teacher-training background than the average studio.

Branch: Noble Place, Dasmariñas Street corner Juan Luna Street, Binondo, Manila

Operating hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day

Rates: Starts at P730 for weekday off-peak group Reformer classes, with regular weekday evening and weekend classes priced higher

The Reformation Club is the clear choice for Manila residents who previously had to travel to Makati, BGC, or Quezon City for the full boutique Pilates experience. It began as the first boutique Pilates studio in Manila, opening its original space along Juan Luna Street before expanding to the larger Noble Place location in Binondo.

Also read: A Guide to Pilates Studios with Beginner-Friendly Classes