What to Expect at Your First Reformer Pilates Class – Engage Pilates
Walking into your first reformer Pilates class is a little scary. You're not even sure where to stand, let alone what to do with all those springs and straps. But I want to remind you of this: Every single person in that room was a beginner once, even the teachers, and even the studio owners. We've built our whole first-timer experience around making that first class feel as smooth and unintimidating as possible. Nobody's watching to see if you get it “right.” You're just here to start.
Here's exactly what to expect.
Before Your First Class: Tell Us What We Should Know
When you book, you'll sign a quick waiver in the Engage Pilates app, and that's also the moment to let us know anything that'll help your instructor take good care of you.
And please actually tell us! We genuinely want to know if you've got a stiff knee, tight shoulders, lower back pain, or if you're recovering from surgery, working with a physical therapist, or pregnant. The more we know before you walk in, the better we can prepare modifications that are right for your body.
Worth mentioning:
Any injuries, past or current
Chronic pain or areas that tend to bother you
Recent surgeries or ongoing physical therapy
If you're pregnant or recently postpartum (as long as you’re cleared for exercise
If you're nervous, or have questions
There's no such thing as too much information here, and it stays between us. If something comes up that's easier to talk through than type, you can always reach us through the Contact page before class.
When You Arrive: A Few Minutes Early
Plan to arrive about five minutes before class, and maybe give yourself a little extra for your very first one.
When you walk in:
Let your instructor know it's your first time (they'll usually ask, but say so if they don't)
Put your things away
Silence your phone and store it away
Fill up your water if you need to
Your instructor will greet you, show you to your reformer, and walk you through what you need to know before we get going.
What to wear: Comfortable clothes you can move freely in, nothing tight or fancy required. Grip socks are welcome, or you can go barefoot.
What to bring: A refillable water bottle and yourself
Before Class Starts: Your Instructor Will Check In
Your instructor will introduce themselves and ask if you have any questions or concerns. This is your moment to mention anything you didn't note when you booked, or just to say how you're feeling: nervous, excited, a little sore from yesterday.
They'll give you a quick tour of the reformer: what the carriage is, how the springs work, where to position yourself. If it feels like a lot of information at once, don't worry. You learn this by doing.
During Class: We Guide You Through Everything
The shape of a class:
A gentle warm-up to get you familiar with the equipment
A series of exercises working your whole body
A cool-down and some stretching
What makes the ENtrance Class beginner-friendly:
The pace is slower, with clear, step-by-step instruction
Your instructor demonstrates the movements and tells you exactly what you should be feeling, and where
Modifications are offered throughout, so you're never expected to do something that doesn't feel right for your body or your range of motion
With a maximum of six people, you get real individual attention and hands-on corrections (if you're comfortable with those)
You will not:
Be expected to already know what you're doing
Need to memorize your springs or machine settings
Get left behind. If something doesn't click, just ask
Be judged for being new. Everyone's focused on their own reformer, I promise.
You might:
Feel a little lost at first (normal)
Find muscles you didn't know you had
Be surprised at how much it challenges you, in the best way
Leave feeling accomplished
What the Reformer Actually Does
The reformer looks intimidating, but it's one of the most beginner-friendly pieces of Pilates equipment there is. Here's what you're working with:
A sliding carriage that glides back and forth on a frame
Springs that provide adjustable resistance
Straps for your hands or feet
A footbar to push or pull against
The springs are magic for beginners. Depending on the exercise, they can assist you (making a movement easier) or resist you (making it harder), which means the work is far more accessible than trying to do everything against gravity with just your body weight.
The springs also give your body feedback. You'll actually feel when you've found the right muscle. And on the moves where you don't yet, your instructor is right there to help you find it.
After Class: How You'll Feel
Right after: Worked, but probably not drenched in sweat. Pilates is challenging without being the kind of workout that leaves you unable to walk the next day (usually).
The next day or two: You may be sore in places you forgot you had!
By your third or fourth class: The movements start to feel familiar. You'll know where to position yourself, and the cues that sounded like a foreign language at first will start to make sense in your body.
Common First-Timer Questions
"What if I can't do something?" Then you don't, or your instructor hands you a modification. There's zero pressure to do anything that doesn't feel right.
"What if I'm the only beginner?" The ENtrance Class is built for exactly this. It's where new clients start, so you're in good company. And your instructor is giving you the modifications you need either way.
"What if I don't understand what the instructor means?" Ask. There's no such thing as a dumb question here, and your instructor would much rather you ask than quietly struggle. You can also glance at your neighbors for a visual.
"I'm not flexible / strong / coordinated. Can I even do this?" Yes. Pilates builds all three. You don't need them on day one, that's the whole point of starting.
After Your First Class: What's Next?
After you take your first class, here's what we'd suggest:
Aim for two to three classes a week for the first few weeks to build familiarity
Start with the ENtrance Class until the movements feel comfortable. It's the foundation everything else is built on
Consider a private session or two if you want to build confidence faster, one-on-one
Be patient with yourself. Pilates has a learning curve, and that's completely normal (again, remember that everyone has been a beginner)
After a few consistent weeks, you'll start to notice the changes: better posture, more core strength, easier movement, and things that felt impossible in your first class start clicking into place.
Ready to Book Your First Class?
A quick recap:
Let us know about any injuries, concerns, or questions when you book
Arrive about five minutes early (a little extra for your first one)
Wear something comfy, bring a water bottle, go barefoot or grab your grip socks
Tell your instructor it's your first time if they don't ask
Ask questions whenever you're unsure
Be patient with yourself
The hardest part really is just showing up. After that, we've got you.
New to Engage? Our intro offers — 3 Group Classes for $85, or 3 Private Sessions for $260 — are made for first-timers.
Book either one through the Engage Pilates app (App Store or Google Play).
Questions? Email hello@engagepilatesstudio.com or call/text 847.616.1714.
Engage Pilates — 3950 Church Street, Evanston, IL 60203 · Serving Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Kenilworth & the North Shore
