Oh Reformer! You feel So Good!!!
Back in the days, I use to work as a studio assistant to an owner of a Pilates studio in Miami, FL where only the rich and famous would attend. During those years, Pilates wasn’t as popular as it is today and having a studio with 20 reformer tables was unheard of. The perks of working at the studio were that I could take classes whenever I wasn’t working and only IF the class wasn’t full. That only happened once in a blue moon but when it did…it was heaven! I recently joined LA Fitness and was offered a Pilates demo class at their PILATES BY LAF studio. I was already feeling sore from my week and was looking forward to revisiting those classes I use to do once a month or so. There were several reformer tables which gave me some nostalgic feelings of the good ole days with my besties. The days we use to all complain lying down on the machines disrupting the class with our laughter and giddy comments. Unlike me, they are all still in Miami and still making the same remarks and jokes.
So there I was one of seven other anxious testers ready for the demo to begin. The wonderful instructor was very precise in his teaching and explaining of muscle groups and use of the reformer machines. As we began putting our bodies through different straps and changing springs from green to blue, a voice in the distant with a broken English kept complaining in a comedic manner. With every stretch came an “oh no! My hangsting.” “Eh, Awh, no, no, no.” “No more!” These comments kept the class laughing but he wasn’t the only one feeling that way. It felt as though he was externalism how we felt on the inside. It had been a decade since I last stretch my body in such a manner. Yes, I taught fitness for many years but never with a reformer machine. The resistance and straps move your body in a manner in which our body doesn’t adapt to on a daily basis. I was in pain but I couldn’t judge if it was because I was sore from my weight training the day before or because the exercises were pushing my body to work.
I couldn’t half-ass my work out because the instructor was looking for form and for the full movement. My legs were stretched out to the side in a straddle manner while my arms were strapped and pulled forward through my legs along with my head and upper body. Thinking about it now, this could’ve been a great scene in 50 Shades of Grey 😉 I only did that demo for 30 minutes but I can honestly tell you that it worked my whole body and my body was shaking! My muscles were shaking uncontrollably to the point that I had to sit in the sauna to relax them after the class. That class was so great; I could only imagine what a full hour must’ve felt like. I really I wish I could add this class to my workout schedule but the cost is not in my current budget. But for those of you out there that want to try an amazing class that will stretch you and makes you strong, I definitely advise you to take a Pilates Reformer class…you will be sore but you won’t regret it!!!
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