If you have been keeping up with pop culture, you may have seen that Saturday Night Live recently used Pilates as the basis for one of their notorious sketches.
Framing two new Pilates class participants as the stars in a horror movie centered in the Pilates studio, the comedy show offered a lighthearted take on the feeling of new attendees not knowing what to expect.
If you have never been to a Pilates class, you may wonder what parts of the SNL sketch were true and which were played up as jokes.
Let’s review Pilates’ moment on Saturday Night Live and see how they injected humor into the real-world application of this fun and effective exercise method.
“Wrap Those Straps”
During the skit, the Pilates instructor guides participants to use the various straps that are available on a reformer machine, ordering attendees to do ridiculous maneuvers like wrapping hand straps around feet straps and then around a person’s head.
While it’s true that Pilates uses straps and springs to create resistance, you won’t be required to wrap your whole body in them, braid them, or create the world’s best fish net with them!
Using reformer resistance is simple and customizable. Most instructors will have participants focusing on a specific part of the body at one time while still being able to activate the core and use simple but effective breathing techniques.
So don’t fret about being overwhelmed with all the straps (and the unusual things you might think you’re supposed to do with them) they are simple to use and your instructor won’t let you turn them into a braid!
“Most of the Women Are Ex-Dancers”
When looking around the room, the SNL sketch actresses note that most participants are ex-dancers. While Reformer Pilates is a great way for professionals to maintain their strength and health, you don’t need to be an athlete, dancer, or an expert to enjoy Pilates on a reformer.
(It is true, though, that J. Pilates’ first studio shared an address with the NYC ballet! It’s grown far beyond these roots nowadays.) In fact, Pilates is suitable for people of most ages and ability levels.
It’s also important that, as you engage in Pilates, you stay centered on yourself. Don’t worry about what other people in the room are doing, whether they seem to have more skill than you, or how their bodies look.
Concern yourself with your own form and use this as an opportunity to stay mindful and relaxed.
“She Doesn’t Need Modifications”
One of the characters in the skit notes that Chelsea, a participant in the class, doesn’t need any modifications because she can do it all. This refers to the ability to adjust the reformer machine to make exercises more accessible, because the reformer can support movements to help people who need additional assistance.
In most classes, a person will be adjusting their reformer machine regularly by changing the springs, either to provide the aforementioned support or to add additional resistance.
New participants don’t need to worry about how and when to modify their machine; a good instructor will teach you what you need to know, and at RTR, we will always tell you which spring to use.
And remember—don’t worry about what other people are doing! If Chelsea is not using the same spring setup as you, that’s Chelsea’s business.
“I Can Wear My Regular Socks”
The Pilates instructor in SNL’s faux trailer makes a lighthearted quip that one of the new attendees seems to have forgotten her grippy socks—but that her regular socks will be fine—before throwing her out of the room like a horror movie monster.
This scene is a humorous take on the standard practice of wearing socks with grips on the bottom to Pilates classes.
It’s smart to use grip socks because, if you’re doing exercises that require you to stay stable or push using your legs, you can get a lot more out of the movement if you’re focused on good form rather than trying not to slip and slide around. In fact, at RTR, they’re required for safety!
Why Reformer Pilates Is So Hot Right Now
The Saturday Night Live sketch is a facetious take on this highly popular exercise method—and now more than ever, people are seeing Pilates pop up from some of their favorite entertainment media.
Reformer Pilates is experiencing a golden age at the moment thanks to many outspoken celebrities and athletes (think Justin Bieber and Tom Brady) sharing their success with the method. In fact, did you know that the cast of the recent smash hit Barbie (2023) all did Reformer Pilates in order to prepare for their roles?
Try Reformer Pilates to See What the Hype Is About!
By this point, you’re probably intrigued by the possibilities that Pilates can offer—and no, we promise that classes look nothing like a horror movie!
The experts at RTR Pilates are happy to guide new participants through the basics of using a reformer and setting achievable goals, whether you have some experience with Pilates or are entirely new to the concept.
Contact RTR Pilates to sign up for a beginner Pilates class!
