The interesting thing about Pilates is that each piece of equipment comes with its own style and
quirks, as well as pros and cons. The reformer is no different. Like all of the equipment Pilates
instructors work on, the reformer can be good for everybody. It's a versatile machine that's great
for all body types, sizes, and ailments. But it's also important to remember that it was designed
with classical Pilates in mind. Veering from that intended path can lead to the machine being
misused and the client receiving subpar results.
More than any other piece of equipment he created, Joseph Pilates designed the reformer to be
used in a sequence. Classical instructors are trained in this strict system of exercises that is not to
be deviated from. The order of the exercises was carefully thought out to maximize the
rerformer's intended purpose, which is to strengthen the clients for their mat practice. That
maxim is ultimately how the reformer should be approached: with Pilates mat in mind as the
intended result.
That's not to say that every exercise in the routine needs to be performed. Because the reformer
works against tension from the feet up and the shoulders down, clients with acute pain will want
to be careful when using the machine. Educated instructors should be aware of what exercises
could help or harm a client, and those exercises should be omitted from the sequence. This can
be done while the order of the remaining exercises remains intact. This is true for the reformer
more so than any other piece of equipment, even with injuries taken into account. With the right
instructor modifying the exercise to get the most out of a workout, there is nothing quite like the
reformer that can prepare the body for an excellent mat practice.