If you have been searching for a workout that sculpts, tones and challenges every muscle in your body without destroying your joints, reformer pilates might be exactly what you are looking for. Over the past few years it has gone from a niche studio practice to one of the fastest-growing fitness trends in the world, and for very good reason. This guide answers the most common questions in full, so you can decide whether it is the right workout for you.
What is reformer pilates and how does it work
Reformer pilates is a form of pilates performed on a specialised piece of equipment called a reformer. Unlike mat pilates, which uses only your bodyweight and the floor, reformer pilates uses a sliding carriage, a system of springs, pulleys and straps to create adjustable resistance throughout every movement. This means your muscles are engaged on both the push and the pull, working harder and more efficiently than in most conventional gym exercises.
The reformer was invented by Joseph Pilates himself in the early twentieth century. He designed it to help rehabilitate injured soldiers and later used it with dancers and athletes. Today, modern reformer pilates has evolved far beyond rehabilitation. At CRUSH Studios in Haarlem we have reimagined the reformer as the centrepiece of high-intensity group fitness classes that combine the precision of traditional pilates with the energy of a boutique studio experience.
How the reformer machine works
The reformer consists of a flat platform called the carriage that glides along a frame on wheels. At one end, a set of springs provides resistance. At the other, a foot bar and ropes allow you to push, pull and stabilise in dozens of different positions. You can lie, sit, kneel or stand on the carriage depending on the exercise.
The spring resistance is what makes the reformer unique. Unlike free weights, which create a fixed downward load, the springs create constant tension in every direction. Your muscles have to control the movement on the way in and on the way out, with no rest in between. The result is a workout that recruits more muscle fibres, burns more energy and produces better results in less time than many conventional training methods. Want to understand the science behind this? Read our blog about why springs beat weights.
Is reformer pilates good for you
The short answer is yes, for almost everyone. Reformer pilates offers a wide range of benefits that go well beyond simply looking better in the mirror.
Full-body strength and muscle tone
Because the reformer engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously, every session trains your upper body, lower body and core in an integrated way. You are not isolating one muscle at a time. You are training the way your body actually moves in daily life. This leads to functional strength that carries over into everything from carrying groceries to competing in sport.
Deep core activation
The sliding carriage constantly challenges your stabiliser muscles, the deep layers of muscle around your spine, hips and shoulders that most gym equipment never reaches. Strengthening these muscles improves your posture, reduces back pain and creates the kind of long, lean muscle tone that reformer pilates is famous for.
Low impact, high results
Reformer pilates is a low-impact workout, which means it keeps the stress off your joints while still pushing your muscles to their limit. This makes it suitable for people recovering from injury, those with joint pain and beginners who have never trained before, while remaining genuinely challenging for seasoned athletes. Read our blog about why low-impact high-intensity training is so effective to understand exactly how this is possible.
Cardiovascular fitness
When performed at high intensity, reformer pilates keeps your heart rate elevated throughout the session, delivering real cardiovascular benefits alongside strength and toning work. At CRUSH Studios, the 50-minute classes are specifically designed to maintain that productive training zone from start to finish.
Is reformer pilates good for weight loss
Yes, though perhaps not in the way you might expect. Reformer pilates burns a significant number of calories during each session, especially when performed at high intensity. But more importantly, it builds lean muscle tissue. Muscle is metabolically active, which means it burns more energy at rest than fat. The more lean muscle you carry, the higher your resting metabolic rate and the easier it becomes to maintain a healthy bodyweight over time.
Many members at CRUSH Studios report that reformer pilates produced body composition changes they had never achieved with running, gym training or other classes. The combination of sustained muscle engagement, spring resistance and core activation creates a metabolic stimulus that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Is reformer pilates strength training
Reformer pilates occupies a unique position. It is not traditional strength training in the sense of lifting progressively heavier barbells, but it absolutely builds functional strength through resistance-based movement. The spring system provides genuine muscular challenge, and the eccentric loading of each exercise stimulates muscle growth and tone in ways that feel different from, and often surpass, conventional weightlifting for many people.
At CRUSH, the approach is High Intensity Reformer Pilates. The pace, the spring resistance and the sequencing are deliberately designed to push your muscles to fatigue within the 50-minute session. The result falls somewhere between strength training and cardiovascular conditioning, two goals achieved in one workout, without the wear and tear of high-impact exercise.
Who is reformer pilates for
One of the greatest strengths of reformer pilates is its inclusivity. The spring resistance can be adjusted, the exercises can be modified and the instructor guides every movement, which means both complete beginners and experienced athletes can train in the same class and get an equally effective workout.
Beginners benefit from the controlled environment, the instructor guidance and the fact that every movement is explained and demonstrated. You do not need to be flexible, strong or coordinated to start. You simply need to show up.
Athletes and regular gym-goers benefit from the stabilisation and deep muscle activation that reformer pilates provides. It fills the gaps that running, cycling and weightlifting leave behind, improving balance, posture and injury resilience. Read our blog about pilates and sport performance to see exactly how this translates for runners and cyclists.
People with joint pain or injury history benefit from the low-impact nature of the workout. The spring resistance allows you to train at real intensity without putting excessive stress on your knees, hips or spine.
What to expect in your first reformer pilates class
Walking into your first reformer pilates class can feel intimidating. The machine looks unfamiliar and the exercises seem technical. But CRUSH is specifically designed to make first-timers feel welcome from the moment they walk through the door.
Your instructor will walk you through the equipment before the class begins. You will learn how to adjust the springs, how to position yourself on the carriage and how to use the foot bar and straps. From the very first movement, the instructor will cue your form and offer modifications if anything feels difficult.
The class itself moves through a sequence of exercises targeting different areas of the body, from legs and glutes to core, upper body and full-body integration. At CRUSH Studios the lights are low and the music is high, creating an atmosphere that is more like a workout party than a clinical pilates session. You will burn, shake and smile, sometimes all at once.
Want a full breakdown of what to expect? Read our blog about what to expect from your first CRUSH class.
Reformer pilates vs mat pilates: what is the difference
Both mat and reformer pilates are rooted in the same movement principles developed by Joseph Pilates: core engagement, controlled breathing, precision and mindful movement. The key difference is the equipment and the intensity it enables.
Mat pilates relies entirely on your bodyweight and gravity. It is accessible anywhere and builds a strong foundation of core strength and body awareness. Reformer pilates adds adjustable spring resistance, which allows for a significantly greater range of exercises, more targeted muscle loading and higher overall intensity. Many people begin with mat pilates and progress to the reformer. Others dive straight in.
At CRUSH Studios we have chosen the reformer because we believe it delivers the most effective full-body workout for the widest range of people. Want to explore which class format suits you best? Read our blog about reformer pilates vs barre.
Why choose CRUSH Studios for your reformer pilates journey
CRUSH Studios in Haarlem is the home of High Intensity Reformer Pilates in the Netherlands. Every class is 50 minutes, every session is instructor-led and every movement is designed to maximise results while keeping impact low. The CRUSH method is built on the principle that the best workout is the one you actually want to do again.
Whether you are brand new to pilates or a seasoned mover looking for a new challenge, CRUSH is built for you. Read our story to find out what makes this studio different, then check the class schedule and explore our intro packages to take your first step onto the reformer.
Burn. Shake. Smile. CRUSH.