Keep it small, keep it safe, keep it special!
What’s currently the hottest fitness craze in the UK and around the world? Reformer-based fitness classes in gyms and health clubs, which can have anything between 15-20 Reformers in the room (we know of one club that has more than 30).
We have avoided including the word ‘Pilates’ when talking about these large classes as very often the only real connection to the Pilates Method is that they use Pilates Reformers.
If anyone goes to these classes wanting to learn more about the proven benefits that Pilates can offer, due to the large numbers in the class they are often going to be disappointed. There is very little reference, if any, to the Pilates fundamentals and to tried and trusted Pilates exercises. There is virtually no attention to the individual needs of those taking part, mainly because of the numbers in the class, and because instructors running the classes may not have the training to understand how to adapt exercises to ensure that a client gets maximum benefit and is working safely and effectively.
Worryingly, there is often also very little focus on the safety aspects of working on a Reformer. It is vital that anyone using this piece of equipment with its moving carriage, moveable footbar, and adjustable springs has a proper introduction, as injuries can occur if they do not understand the basics of set-up and safety.
Our two main concerns:
Safety: These large classes are often the first experience that many clients have on the Reformer. It is impossible for an instructor to keep an eye on what everyone is doing at any given moment in time in such classes, so there is a much-increased risk of accidents and injury. The instructor should also check the set-up of the Reformer before every exercise (what springs are connected, is the footbar secure, and more), but anecdotal evidence suggests that this is frequently not the case.
Reputation: The Pilates Method, when taught correctly by properly trained teachers, has been delivering results for decades. It has been taught on a 1:1 basis on the mat or using studio equipment, in small matwork groups (often with up to 12 people), or in small Reformer groups. Its reputation is founded upon the way it can be adapted for the individual and for the benefits it offers across the board from first-time exercisers to elite athletes.
This is what has made it so popular, and it is precisely why these large Reformer groups have come about – everyone wants to do Pilates!
But that’s where the problem arises – whilst these classes provide a good workout, they have very little connection with Pilates. Most group Reformer instructors have only had a short training and have been given no foundation in the Pilates fundamentals and in the core exercises.
They are primarily taught to deliver a repertoire of exercises that may not necessarily be safe or suitable for everyone in the class – many of which Joseph Pilates would almost certainly struggle to recognise! They end up delivering what is essentially a cardio class that happens to be using a key piece of Pilates equipment. The high numbers in the class may also mean that instructors are not able to ‘walk the room’, give individual correction, and check all is well.
Is that Pilates? Certainly not, and that’s why so many people come away from these classes having enjoyed a challenging cardio workout but thinking “is that all Pilates can offer?”. Quite simply, it sells Pilates short, and there is sadly now more press coverage on injuries than on benefits.
Why are Body Control Pilates Reformer classes different?
We believe that anyone teaching on the Pilates Reformer must have a solid training base in the Pilates Method, having qualified in Pilates matwork before moving on to Reformer training.
Teachers holding a Body Control Pilates Reformer certification have successfully completed a course that covers more than 70 exercises; how to adapt those exercises for the individual; and how to keep an eye on safety at all times. They have passed a teaching assessment and gained a certificate that not only qualifies them to teach, but which is also needed for insurance purposes. You can be certain that with a Body Control Pilates Reformer teacher you are in the safest and most capable of hands!
Classes that run at our flagship centre in London will never have more than 8-9 participants working on industry-leading Balanced Body Reformers. This allows the teacher to give that all-important attention to everyone in the class so that they get the most from it. We also offer live, interactive, online classes for Pilates teachers with their own Reformer at home, again keeping the numbers small.
Many of our Reformer teachers around the UK and beyond also offer classes based on exactly the same principles. You can find a full listing of qualified Body Control Pilates Reformer teachers here: Find your nearest Body Control Pilates teacher – Body Control Pilates (just click on ‘Reformer’ in the Filter).
Why not try the difference?
Do you regularly go to a high-intensity, highly-populated group Reformer class, but have the feeling that Pilates can offer you so much more? Then try a Reformer class with your local Body Control Pilates teacher – you’ll be amazed at the difference!
And if teaching on the Reformer is perhaps something you would like to do in the future, please get in touch us and we can discuss a route plan for you – but it will involve you qualifying as a matwork teacher first! Please drop an email to Ella Porter or give us a call on +44 207 636 8900.
If you are already a qualified Pilates matwork teacher who wants to know more about our Reformer certification programme, please contact Sarah Bargeron.
In conclusion
Pilates has been our passion for 30 years. Body Control Pilates has played a leading role in building both the awareness and the reputation of Pilates in that time. We welcome the current explosion of interest in Pilates, but we are also very concerned at how ‘Pilates-based’ exercise is being delivered at the moment – both in terms of education and instructing. It can both damage the way that Pilates viewed and impact negatively on the fantastic and highly professional work of the many thousands of properly-trained Pilates professionals working in the UK and around the world.
Looking ahead
We welcome initiatives that are currently well underway in the UK to clarify Pilates qualifications; to give professional recognition to Pilates teachers; and to potentially set up a national register of teachers.
Work is ongoing and is being led by EMD (the UK National Governing Body for group exercise) in partnership with The Society for the Pilates Method (SPM). Body Control Pilates is a Founder Member of the SPM, a not-for-profit body set up to develop education standards and to represent the interests of the more than 2,000 Pilates Method teachers on its Register.
Working with EMD, the SPM is developing a number of Scopes of Practice across Pilates matwork and studio equipment. Each Scope of Practice will detail the certified skills and knowledge that someone must have to teach a certain type of Pilates class or a particular category of client. These Scopes will also cover Group Reformer and Group Matwork classes that have a large number of participants.
This update: August 2024