Reforming Every Body

First things first – I don’t think I had a clue as to what pilates actually is until my first visit to Sara at Reforming Every Body.
I thought I did. But, no… no clue at all.
First of all? It’s not all matwork. Meaning, I had been under the impression that pilates was much like yoga – a workout/​stretch based exercise done on a yoga matt. I had the vague impression that there was more calisthenics involved but that basically, it was much like yoga.
So, when Sara leads me up to their loft inside A-​Train Fitness and directs me to their reformer (a spring resistance based apparatus with sliding platform unlike any other workout machine/​apparatus I’d ever encountered), I was surprised.
The reformer is created to give users a precise workout, targeting specific muscle groups to promote core strength, flexibility, and good alignment – all while protecting your back. It’s amazing the number of exercises one can do on this simple apparatus. You may do one exercise laying on your back working your legs and abs – and then one minor adjustment and you’re propped on a box on your tummy engaging the deep muscles of your core while working your triceps – and then the box is removed and your standing on the thing working stabilizing muscles and your inner thigh muscles. It’s challenging and has left me with sore muscles in my core and legs that few workouts ever even activate.
During my workouts, I’ve also used the Cadillac (a large table like apparatus that is equipped with arm and leg springs) as well as their pilates chair. All of my workouts have been done under the careful tutelage of Sara John who is certified in pilates apparatus as well as matwork pilates. She is always so helpful with my form and it’s so amazing to me how one minor adjustment in my form can suddenly bring the desired muscle work into sharp focus.
Their space is intimate but they keep their classes small (the largest class is capped at 7 participants) as well as doing private sessions. Four private sessions are required in order to participate in the group classes. The private sessions are a bit on the spendy side – but now having done them, I can see the value of the initial investment. From there, you can either continue on with private lessons, opt for semi-​private (where you can workout with 1 or 2 friends), or do their group classes (with 5 – 7 participants). Their group classes are much smaller than other places (which is nice!) but aren’t priced any higher (which is also nice!).
I’m so glad to have begun my journey in pilates. I tend to be someone who likes to participate in varying workout types, which I will likely continue to do – but pilates at Reforming Every Body is one I will come back to again and again.
Get to it!