Five Pilates reformers are making their way to Empower Fitness Studio in Albany, Georgia! We're preparing to add small group reformer classes, and I'm excited to bring this new option to our community.
If you've been curious about reformer Pilates but felt unsure about the equipment, cost, or experience needed, I want you to have a clear picture of what we're planning.
What is reformer Pilates?
A Pilates reformer has a sliding platform called a carriage, adjustable springs, straps, and a footbar. The springs create resistance and can also provide assistance during certain exercises.
Your instructor will guide you through movements in different positions, explaining the equipment and helping you with adjustments along the way. Like mat Pilates, the focus is on control, alignment, and moving with intention.
You don't have to understand every strap or spring before your first class. Learning how to use the reformer is part of the experience.
What are the physical benefits?
Pilates can help improve muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, balance, and body awareness. Reformer exercises use spring resistance to challenge muscles throughout the body, with particular attention to core control. (Better Health Channel)
In class, we'll work on:
- Core strength and stability: Practicing control through the muscles that support your trunk.
- Full-body strength: Using resistance to work your arms, legs, hips, and back.
- Flexibility and mobility: Moving through a comfortable, controlled range of motion.
- Balance and coordination: Learning to move steadily and deliberately.
- Body awareness: Paying attention to alignment and how your body moves.
The resistance and exercise setup can be adjusted, giving you different levels of challenge as you learn.
Is reformer Pilates low impact?
Yes, Pilates is generally considered a low-impact form of exercise. Our reformer classes will emphasize controlled movements rather than repeated jumping or pounding. Low impact can still be challenging: spring resistance, careful technique, and slower movements give your muscles plenty to do. (Better Health Channel)
If you're pregnant, recovering from surgery, or managing an injury, speak with your healthcare professional about participating and let us know before booking. We can discuss the class format and whether it fits your needs.
How is it different from mat Pilates?
Mat Pilates uses your body weight and sometimes small props to create a challenge. Reformer Pilates adds spring resistance and a moving carriage, offering different ways to perform and adjust exercises.
If you enjoy our mat Pilates classes, you'll recognize many of the same principles. Reformer Pilates will be another option to enjoy alongside your current routine.
Making reformer Pilates more approachable
For some people, the hardest part of trying reformer Pilates has been finding a comfortable way to begin.
Some studios require private introductory sessions or previous experience before joining a group class. That can make getting started feel expensive or intimidating, especially if you'd rather learn alongside others than take one-on-one sessions.
Cost can be another barrier. Reformer classes are a separate investment, and it's understandable to want to know what you're paying for before committing.
At Empower, we're planning small group classes with a clear introduction to the equipment, so beginners have a place to start. You won't need previous reformer experience, and you can learn alongside other people who are new to it, too.
You can find our member and nonmember rates on the Reformer Pilates page. My goal is to give you a welcoming way to try something new, with guidance, company, and clear expectations from the beginning.
Small classes, with room to grow
We're starting with five reformers so each class can offer personal attention and guidance.
As interest grows, we can add class times and, if needed, additional reformers. We'll watch booking patterns and listen to your feedback as we build the schedule.
I want this to be an offering our clients can enjoy regularly, and we'll make adjustments as we learn what's needed.
What does this mean for our members?
Our members are the reason Empower has been able to grow. You show up for classes, bring your friends, encourage our instructors, and make new people feel welcome. I'm grateful for that, and I want you to feel valued as we add something new.
Reformer classes will be priced separately from regular studio memberships, but Empower members will receive discounted reformer pricing.
Offering you a special member rate is one way I can thank you for your continued support.
Your membership will continue to cover our regular membership classes, and reformer Pilates will be an additional option. You can see the rates and package options on the Reformer Pilates page so you can decide what works for you.
When will classes begin?
Once the reformers arrive, we'll get them set up and prepare to offer community classes starting in mid-November.
These introductory sessions will give participants a chance to become familiar with the equipment while our instructors gain experience teaching in the new space. We'll explain who these sessions are suited for, how they'll work, and how to sign up before they begin.
Classes will be 45 minutes, and you'll book them through our regular schedule. Grip socks are required, and you can pick up a pair at the studio. We'll announce class times as we get closer.
Interested in trying reformer Pilates at Empower? Let us know at the studio or send us a message. Hearing which times work for you will help us plan. You can find everything else on our Reformer Pilates page.
I'm looking forward to getting the reformers set up and sharing those first classes with you!