Reformer Pilates classes come in many forms, and it can be difficult to know how to get the most out of your sessions. Some push themselves hard to level up their work, only to injure themselves.
Others zone out during classes and find their progress has stalled. If you want to advance your practice at the studio and reach new heights of strength, flexibility ad balance, it is essential to approach Pilates the right way!
However, no single “hack” will suddenly make Reformer Pilates easy. A person gets out what they put in when it comes to Pilates, and minor adjustments to habits and routines are often all it takes to elevate your practice.
Try these top Reformer Pilates tricks and techniques!
Pilates Tricks for Better Performance
Outside any particular exercise, there are a few basics that anyone should keep in mind to get the most out of Pilates. These tricks can help you move past plateaus and break into new class levels or difficulties.
Drop the Pressure
One of the main pain points for people who are getting stuck in their Pilates routine is that they’re striving hard to match certain expectations. Maybe they see someone in their class who seems to be doing better than them, or they cannot exactly match the instructor’s movements and speed.
Perhaps a new, more advanced class is starting soon, and they want to join, so they are trying to get ready but feel they will never make it in time.
No matter what reason a person has for putting pressure on themselves in their Pilates classes, one of the best ways to elevate their practice is to drop that pressure. Remove the strain of trying to match someone in class or reach a certain point by a specific time. Instead, focus on being consistent and achieving a quality workout.
Collaborate
The instructor is present to teach participants how to perform exercises, adjust the reformer, and get the most out of their time. Think of the relationship with the instructor as collaborative rather than as leader/follower.
Participants should allow the instructor to make critiques and adjustments to their form for better outcomes, and good instructors should listen to participants who are struggling.
Listen
Speaking of listening, anyone in a Pilates class should be listening to more than just the instructor. Turn attention inward, too, to hear what the body is saying. If there is pain or it is time to rest and recover, do not ignore these signals. Supporting the body helps it grow over time (and faster than pushing it too hard!).
Techniques to Elevate Your Reformer Pilates Classes
Once participants have these basic tricks down, here are a few recommended techniques for ramping up Pilates classes to something more advanced.
Knee Stretches
This exercise is a good bridge toward more advanced planks. Participants kneel on the reformer carriage and place both hands on the foot bar. Keeping arms straight, push the carriage away with the knees until the body from the knees to the shoulders is diagonal.
Scooters
The scooter helps increase the flexibility of the pelvic region, granting access to more difficult exercises over time. Standing next to the reformer, place one foot on the carriage, then face the foot bar. Bend the standing knee slightly as if sitting down in a chair. Then, gently push the carriage back using the other leg to create a deep stretch before returning it to its regular position.
Side Arm Lifts
Building core strength is essential for elevating a person’s Pilates abilities, and this exercise is a good place to start. Begin by kneeling on the carriage facing sideways with one hand on the foot bar. Grab a strap from the same side as the foot bar, then pull it slowly upward and above the head. This creates deep activation of the core muscles. Switch sides to target the other half of the body.
Level Up Your Reformer Pilates Skills With a Great Instructor!
Reformer Pilates classes are highly adaptable for each participant, but this level of flexibility can sometimes leave you feeling unsure of how to create a concrete plan for elevating your abilities. By following some basic tricks and choosing a few smart exercise inclusions, you can bridge the gap between your current skills and the difficulty level you want to achieve.
The instructors at RTR Pilates can help you achieve your goals and stay healthy, flexible, and active. Contact RTR Pilates to sign up for a class!