You might have heard about reformer Pilates, but chances are there isn’t a class available in your area yet, or maybe there is but it’s very expensive.
Worry not, I’ve found a way to recreate this style of exercise at home so you can experience the benefits of reformer Pilates, such as improved coordination and mobility, better flexibility and posture, and even injury prevention.
To recreate some reformer movements at home, you can use Pilates sliders. These flat, lightweight discs go underneath your feet or hands so that you can slide in and out of movements.
This workout by Pilates instructor Iris Poldervaart uses Pilates sliders and Poldervaart actually describes it as a reformer Pilates at home workout.
I tried the routine, and as someone who's tried reformer Pilates many times, I was impressed by just how well it mimicked a traditional reformer Pilates workout.
How to do Iris Poldervaart's reformer Pilates at home routine
All you need for this routine is a pair of Pilates sliders. I used a pair from BetterMe, which work well and are available in a range of colors.
You don't even need a yoga mat, because the workout is designed to be done on hard floors, although I did it on a rug and the sliders worked OK.
However, it's worth investing in a pair of grip socks while using the sliders, to stop your feet from sliding off the discs too much. Our colleagues at Marie Claire recommend these Pilates socks on Amazon.
The 20-minute routine includes a warm-up and a cool-down, and Poldervaart makes it easy to follow.
My experience swapping out the reformer for Pilates sliders
One of the main benefits of reformer Pilates is that it's a brilliant way to develop control and balance, something I prioritize because of a long-standing knee injury.
This workout uses the sliders to add an extra challenge to movements like regular and lateral lunges. Doing these exercises without sliders will still build strength, but adding in this piece of kit increased the difficulty, meaning I had to focus even more on balance.
Just as on the reformer, using the sliders in this workout meant that core engagement was essential. You must brace your core when standing on the sliders to keep your body upright and your feet from sliding out from under you.
This workout provided all the same challenges I get from reformer Pilates, and I'd recommend sliders to anyone who wants to upgrade their home workout—particularly as they're so easy to store and transport.
