I remember the first time I ever saw a reformer machine. I was joining a new gym and was on a tour with the staff member when she stopped in front of a room with about five machines that I had never seen before. She told me this was the reformer pilates room and started explaining about it. I honestly don’t know what she said because I couldn’t stop looking at the machine. I’d never seen anything like it before and, quite honestly, it looked like some kind of a sex table instead of exercise equipment. I totally judged the room and didn’t give reformer pilates a second thought.

Fast-forward a couple of years and I bought a Groupon for an exercise class called “Booty Barre”. I’d never heard of booty barre before, but who wouldn’t want to have an amazing butt?! I was really excited about the class and went every time I could. Part of the Groupon also included a few private sessions on the reformer and I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t as excited to set that appointment up.

I’m not sure what it was, but I was extremely intimidated by the reformer. I am strong with cardio and even weights, but I didn’t know how I would be on the reformer… and the unknown kind of freaked me out a bit. The Groupon was about to expire, so I called to set up my first appointment.

Jumping Onto The Pilates Reformer Machine

The day came and I stepped into the Pilates studio I’d been going to for months, but this time was different and I was so nervous. I didn’t want to fail or be weak, but I tried to keep an open-mind. I got on the reformer and did some exercises and thought, “Hey, this isn’t that bad. It’s actually kind of fun!”

The hour of my private session went by so quickly and I could not wait to sign up for my next one. I loved it. I did my next private session the following day and was sore. I felt sore in muscles I didn’t know I had! It was a good sore though – like a “this is going to change my body” kind of sore and I was hooked.

Once my private sessions were over, I purchased a package and have been dedicated ever since! I absolutely love it. In the past, I’d measure an exercise by the amount of sweat that poured off (I sweat a lot!) of me and by my breathing. Reformer pilates made me realize that you can get an amazing workout without sweating all over the place.

But don’t get me wrong, just because you don’t sweat a ton does not mean it’s an easy workout. It’s not at all. It’s super challenging in ways you didn’t know were possible. Your whole body changes over time and it’s such a positive workout. If you were like me and a bit intimidated by the reformer machine, don’t let it get in your way. Sign up for a private session to learn about it and to familiarize yourself with the machine. I promise you will be so happy you did and I’m sure you will love it just as much as me!