A Pilates Reformers class takes the Pilates program to another level. But like all exercise programs, it has its share of risks, too, which requires being mindful of your manners. Think about it: Good manners means being sensitive to other people’s needs including their safety, usually with the expectation that they will return the favor.
Be Mindful of Your Gear
Pilates Reformers classes are usually co-ed classes wherein the participants will perform a wide range of positions, usually on upholstered material. Every person must then be mindful of their workout gear so that their clothes will neither reveal too much skin nor get in the way.
Be sure then to wear the proper Pilates or yoga attire before coming to your Pilates Reformers class at YogaWorks. You can buy these workout clothes in many stores so there’s no excuse to wear loose-fitting clothes, teeny-tiny shorts, and sweats to class. Be sure to remove jewelry on your body and any other accessories on your clothes – buckles, belts and zippers are hell on your body during a Pilates session.
Be Mindful of Your Body
Keep your focus on your body – where it is in space, what position it is in, and what your breathing pattern is, among others. You should then turn off your cellphone, if possible, stop talking with your classmate, and asking questions of your instructor, among other distractions. You have to remember that your classmates are also focusing on their bodies – you have to return the favor.
Besides, the last thing you should be doing in a Pilates Reformers class is zoning out, much less taking a nap. You will be putting yourself at a higher risk of injury because the Reformer has moving parts, as well as bars, straps and wheels – and we’re not even talking about the carriage yet – so zoning out is a big no-no. You should listen well to the instructor when he or she is giving detailed cues for setup and execution.
Be Mindful of the Equipment
In a Pilates Reformers class, a moving carriage is used. The carriage is attached to a frame that, in turn, is supported by a series of tight springs. When you’re on the carriage, you will then feel its back-and-forth glide, the resistance felt when you’re pushing in and out.
You have to focus on the movement so you can maintain the best control possible over the carriage. You should never bang the carriage – and your instructor will explicitly say it, too – because the movement can break both the carriage and your body. You should avoid sliding out too far, too, since you may fly out of the carriage.
Most important in good manners, you should never assume that you know better than the instructor. Always listen to your instructor and be attuned to the tempo.