Dani Lieberman


The Reformer


There is probably no piece of Pilates equipment more famous than the Pilates reformer. The reformer makes a dramatic impression when you first see one, and an even more dramatic change in the body when you use it. Reformer classes are usually one of the main choices at Pilates studios. And portable reformers continue to grow as a home exercise equipment trend.



Body weight and resistance of the springs are what make the carriage more or less difficult to move. The beauty of the reformer is that parts are adjustable for differing body sizes and for differing levels of skill.


All kinds of exercises are done on the reformer to promote length, strength, flexibility, and balance. Most Pilates reformer exercises have to do with pushing or pulling the carriage, or holding the carriage steady during an exercise as it is pulled on by the springs. My image above shows an example of an advanced backbend exercise on the reformer. There are many, many reformer exercises, including those for first-time beginners to exercises that challenge the most advanced practitioners.