Your First Reformer Pilates Class in Madrid: What to Expect and How to Prepare

The first time you see a Reformer it can be a little intimidating. Springs, straps, a carriage that slides. It looks complicated, but the machine is actually designed to make movements more accessible, not harder.

If you are thinking about trying Reformer Pilates in Madrid and want to know exactly what you will find, this guide explains it step by step. No surprises.

Before Your First Class: Preparation

Arriving prepared for your first session makes a difference. You do not need anything special, but there are a few practical details worth bearing in mind.

What to wear

Comfortable, close-fitting clothes. Avoid baggy T-shirts or very loose trousers because they catch on the springs and stop the instructor seeing your body alignment. Leggings and a fitted top are perfect.

Most Reformer Pilates studios in Madrid practise in grip socks (with silicone dots on the sole), not trainers. Many studios sell them, but you can also buy them beforehand. Avoid normal socks: they slip on the platform.

What to bring (and what not to)

Bring a small bottle of water. You do not need a towel (the Reformer’s surfaces are cleaned between classes). Leave your phone on silent in the locker. Do not wear strong perfume, because in an enclosed space with conscious breathing exercises it can bother the rest of the group.

How early to arrive

Arrive 10-15 minutes early. On your first visit you will need to fill in a short health questionnaire, get to know the space and receive a basic explanation of the Reformer before the class starts. If you arrive just in time, you will miss that introduction and start the session with more uncertainty than necessary.

Mention any injuries or medical conditions

This matters. Before the class, tell the instructor if you have any injury, have had recent surgery, are pregnant or have any condition such as herniated discs, shoulder problems or high blood pressure. It is not to exclude you: it is so the instructor knows which exercises to modify and which to avoid.

In a studio with small groups like Pinar Pilates, where classes have a maximum of 8 people, the instructor can adapt the exercises individually throughout the session.

What a Reformer Pilates Class Is Like, Step by Step

A typical class lasts 50 to 55 minutes. This is how it is structured:

Welcome and set-up (5 minutes)

The instructor assigns you a Reformer and explains the basic parts of the machine: where the springs are, how they are adjusted, where to rest your hands and feet. If it is your first time, they will show you how to lie correctly on the carriage and find the neutral position of the pelvis.

Do not stress about trying to memorise everything. You will absorb it class by class.

Warm-up (10 minutes)

The class starts with gentle exercises to activate the core and mobilise the spine. It is usual to begin with footwork (feet on the bar), which works like a horizontal squat and lets you get used to the feel of the carriage and the springs.

Spinal mobilisation exercises (such as the pelvic curl) and breathing are also usually included. The aim is to prepare body and mind for the main block.

Main block (30 minutes)

This is where the whole body is worked. The instructor guides a sequence of exercises that alternates between legs, arms, core and side-lying work. In each exercise, they will tell you which springs to use, where to place your hands or feet, and where in your body you should feel the work.

Some exercises are done lying on your back, others on your side, seated or even kneeling on the carriage. The variety is wide and the class goes faster than you expect.

As a beginner, it is normal to need to look at the instructor or other students to understand a position. That is fine. It is also normal for some exercises to be harder than others: every body has its strong points and its areas for improvement.

Cool-down (5 minutes)

The class ends with stretches and mobility exercises on the Reformer. The straps are used to help stretch the hamstrings, quads and posterior chain. It is a moment to slow down, release tension and register how your body feels after the session.

How you feel after the class

After your first class you will very likely notice two things. First: muscles you did not know existed. It is common to feel the core, the glutes and the inner thighs in a new way. Second: a feeling of “lengthening” in the spine, as if you had grown a centimetre.

Soreness can appear the next day or the day after, especially in the core and the glutes. It is normal and disappears in 2-3 days. As your body adapts, it will be less and less intense.

For a broader view of the benefits and how the Reformer works, see our complete guide to Reformer Pilates in Madrid

5 Common Beginner Fears (and Why You Should Not Worry)

After years of welcoming new students at Pinar Pilates, these are the fears we hear most often.

“I’m not flexible”

Good news: you do not need to be flexible to start. The Reformer, precisely, helps you gain flexibility progressively. The springs assist the stretches and let you reach ranges of movement that would be impossible on the floor for someone with little flexibility. A systematic review published in BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation (2024) confirms that Pilates improves flexibility measurably.

Nobody expects you to touch your toes on day one. Or day two.

“The machines scare me”

That is understandable. The Reformer looks like a complex piece of equipment. But in practice it is a simple, safe machine. It has no weights that can fall or dangerous mechanisms. The resistance comes from springs, and the carriage moves smoothly on rails. The instructor will guide you through every adjustment.

By the second or third class, handling the machine will be as natural as sitting on a chair.

“I’m going to hurt myself”

Reformer Pilates is one of the forms of exercise with the lowest injury rate. The movements are controlled, impact-free, and the resistance adapts to your level. As long as you follow the instructor’s cues and mention any discomfort, the risk is very low.

In fact, many physiotherapists use the Reformer precisely to rehabilitate injuries, as shown by a controlled trial published in Reumatología Clínica (2022) with fibromyalgia patients.

“I won’t be able to keep up”

In a well-planned class, each student works at their own pace within the structure of the session. The springs are adjusted individually and the instructor offers modifications for every level. It is not a spinning class where everyone goes at the same speed. If you need a rest, you take it. If an exercise is too demanding, there is a simpler variation.

“I’m embarrassed about not knowing”

Every student at the studio had their first class at some point. In a group of 8 people maximum, the atmosphere is close and nobody is watching what the others are doing. The instructors are used to working with absolute beginners and know how to guide every step.

The embarrassment disappears in the first 10 minutes, when you are concentrating on moving the carriage and breathing at the same time.

Why a Boutique Studio Is Better for Beginners

If it is your first time, the type of studio you choose matters as much as the discipline itself.

Maximum 8 students per class

In a small group, the instructor sees you. Literally. They can watch your alignment, spot compensations (such as arching your back or tensing your neck) and correct you with verbal cues or hands-on adjustments.

In a group of 15-20 people, the instructor cannot give individual attention to each student. As a beginner, you can be doing an exercise incorrectly for weeks without anyone telling you, which reduces the benefits and can cause discomfort.

Real-time correction

Correction is the difference between “doing exercise” and “doing Pilates”. A small adjustment in the position of the pelvis, in the activation of the transversus abdominis or in the placement of the shoulders completely changes the effect of the exercise.

In boutique studios, these corrections are constant. The instructor moves between the Reformers throughout the class, correcting and adjusting. This level of attention is what makes Reformer Pilates so effective.

No pressure

In a small studio, there is no competitive atmosphere. There are no mirrors everywhere or a feeling that you have to “perform”. The goal is your individual progress, at your own pace. The instructors celebrate small advances and create an environment where making mistakes is a normal part of learning.

How Much It Costs to Start Reformer Pilates in Madrid

Price is one of the first questions, and rightly so. Reformer Pilates is more expensive than a conventional gym, but there are reasons for it: the machines cost between €3,000 and €6,000 each, the groups are small, and the instructors need extensive training.

In Madrid, the price of a drop-in Reformer Pilates class ranges from €25 to €45, depending on the area and the group size. Monthly plans reduce the cost per session.

At Pinar Pilates, these are our prices:

Plan	Price	Approx. cost per class
Drop-in class	€30	€30
4 classes/month	€100/month	€25
8 classes/month	€150/month	€18.75
12 classes/month	€200/month	€16.67
Unlimited	€250/month	From €10 (if you come 5-6 times/week)

To put the price in context: a private physiotherapy session in Madrid costs between €50 and €80. A session with a personal trainer, between €40 and €70. Reformer Pilates in a group of 8 people combines elements of both (postural correction, personalised strengthening) at a considerably lower price.

Consistency pays off more than intensity. Two classes a week for 6 months produce more results than going every day for a month and then stopping.

Book Your Trial Class at Pinar Pilates

For anyone looking for somewhere to take their first Reformer Pilates class in Madrid, at Pinar Pilates we have designed the experience with you in mind.

What we offer:

• Groups of 8 people maximum per class
• Certified instructors
• High-quality Reformers in a carefully designed space
• Central location: Calle del Pinar 8, 28006 Madrid (Salamanca district)
• An average of 4.9 out of 5 on Google with hundreds of reviews

To get started:

Book your first class at 50% off and try a class at half price. It is perfect whether you have never tried the Reformer or you are coming from another studio.

If you have questions, call us on +34 611 994 729. We answer Monday to Friday.

You do not need to be flexible, or have experience, or be fit. You only need to come with a willingness to try something new. The Reformer does the rest.