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Reformer Pilates is now one of the most popular workouts globally. According to a report from Allied Market Research, the Pilates and yoga studio industry is projected to reach $520.6 billion by 2035, growing by 14.3 per cent between 2025 and 2035, and it was ClassPass’ most-booked workout of 2024.
Fitness enthusiast Michel Janse decided to put the hype to the test by completing 100 reformer Pilates classes to see whether she’d experience any meaningful benefits. ‘I’m here to share all of my thoughts on whether I like reformer Pilates, if I’ve noticed a change in my body, if I think it’s worth the hype, or if I just think it’s an expensive trend,’ she said.
Not an elite athlete, Janse had dabbled in a wide range of workouts, from tap dancing and Orangetheory to cycling. ‘I have always loved trying workout classes and sticking with them,’ she explained. Ready to commit to something new, here’s what she discovered after developing a consistent Pilates practice.
1. Joint stability improves
One of Janse’s main reasons for starting Pilates was to address joint instability. ‘I have hypermobility and something that I suspect runs in my family called hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome [hEDS], where my joints dislocate all the time,’ she explained.
She hoped reformer Pilates would help her build stability. ‘I looked at Pilates as a way of building strength because it focuses on tiny stabilizing muscles. I did dance growing up, and I’d compare Pilates to using some of the same muscles you’d use in ballet at the barre.’
Around class 30 or 40, she began to notice changes. By the end of the 100 classes, she was barely experiencing dislocations at all. ‘I haven’t had a shoulder “uh-oh” in months, whereas it used to be almost a bi-weekly occurrence that I would at least sublux and have to grab my shoulder and pull it back in. That was the main goal, and I feel like I accomplished it.’
She did, however, experience some knee discomfort, though it wasn’t clear whether Pilates was the cause. ‘Normally my knees don’t bother me because I stay away from high-impact activities. But I’ve noticed during plank sequences or movements where I have to lock my knees, they catch and feel like they might slip or pop. It might be my form. Otherwise, all of my other joints feel so much better.’
2. It builds core strength – with the right technique
‘So much of Pilates is core-focused,’ Janse says. Even when movements target other muscle groups, the abs are almost always engaged. ‘You’ll be sitting doing arm work, but you’re scooped into a C-curve while pulling the ropes. If you’re not engaging your core properly, you could be training your muscles to work incorrectly.’
For that reason, she recommends choosing a studio that prioritizes technique. ‘That’s the critical difference between enjoying your classes and seeing results versus not.’
3. Variety prevents plateaus and boredom
One of the biggest draws was that no two classes felt the same. ‘Even if we do similar movements, the sequences are always completely different.’ That variety also ensured a full-body workout using just one machine. ‘I trust that I’m not overworking the same muscles and neglecting others. Everything gets hit across the week.’
Unlike gym machines that isolate one muscle group, reformer Pilates allows you to adjust resistance while staying on the same piece of equipment. ‘You can customize the weight on one machine the whole time.’
It was a refreshing change from workouts she’d previously found repetitive. ‘I’ve taken so many classes, like cycling, where it’s the same thing every day. Eventually, I feel like I’ve hit a wall. With Pilates, there’s so much variety and customization that reaching a plateau feels far less likely.’
4. Mental health benefits show up quickly
The psychological benefits were immediate. ‘I felt the mental benefits straight away,’ Janse says, crediting the calming studio environment. ‘It feels like a treat to go, the playlists are great, and I leave feeling refreshed and in a better headspace.’
She also likened Pilates to yoga in its restorative elements. ‘You finish with stretching, breathing and mindfulness. And sometimes you’re lying down for a good chunk of the class, which doesn’t hurt.’
Another unexpected benefit was switching off digitally. ‘In a class, I don’t have my phone with me. Taking an hour to unplug has had such a positive impact on my mental health.’ She also found it sparked creativity. ‘So many ideas come to me mid-class. It’s better than shower thoughts.’
5. It’s not enough for cardio on its own
One downside was that Pilates alone didn’t improve her cardiovascular fitness. ‘It’s really not very cardio-focused. Sometimes my heart rate goes up during a tough plank or lunge sequence, but it’s nothing like doing proper cardio,’ she said.
Research supports this. One study found energy expenditure during Pilates was similar to slow walking at 3.2kph and lower than normal walking at 4.8kph, suggesting it may not be enough to drive aerobic adaptations.
As a result, Janse plans to add more cardio alongside Pilates. ‘It would probably be healthy to mix in cycling or walking on an incline.’
6. Physical changes happen gradually
Visible changes took time. ‘Around class 70, we were facing the mirror during some tricep and shoulder work, and I noticed a bit of muscle definition,’ she said. ‘I’ve never really seen myself look strong before.’
Feeling stronger was one of her original goals, and she feels she achieved it. ‘I’ve noticed big improvements in how I feel day to day.’ That was partly due to choosing a strength-focused Pilates studio. ‘There’s a lot of slow, controlled, weighted, balance-focused work.’
7. Progress is possible at any level
One of Janse’s favorite aspects was how adaptable the workout is. ‘They always give modifications to make an exercise easier or harder.’ That flexibility made progress feel accessible. ‘As long as you’re in tune with your body and know what’s challenging, you can keep improving.’
After 100 classes, she doesn’t see it as the end point. ‘I want to keep going because I genuinely enjoy it, and that says a lot about the workout.’
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