Reformer Observation Logbook

Date of observation: 2026-04-11

Duration: 55 minutes

Class type: Large group 10

Instructor name: Rachel Edwards

Studio / location: Dublin Swords

Class structure & exercise selection: The class was structured as a beginner Reformer session focused on learning the fundamental movement patterns and equipment setup. The session began with the Beginner Footwork Series, including double leg press on arches and toes, walking, running, external rotation and internal rotation presses to warm the body and establish alignment.

The class then moved into the Beginner Supine Arm Series, including arm arcs, The Hundred, tricep press, arm circles and T-arms. These exercises focused on breathing, shoulder stability and core engagement.

The next section was the Beginner Feet in Straps Series, including legs bend and stretch, legs lift and lower, open and close, leg circles, frogs, heel beats and lower body stretching exercises. This sequence challenged pelvic stability, coordination and control while maintaining smooth carriage movement.

The class continued with the Beginner Bridging Series, including pelvic tilt and bridge, promoting spinal articulation and posterior chain activation.

The final section introduced selected exercises from the Beginner Back Rowing Series, including bicep curls, chest expansion and low row variations, focusing on posture, upper body strength and scapular stability. The class flowed progressively from simple foundational movements to more coordinated full-body exercises while remaining accessible for beginners.

Cueing style & teaching highlights: The instructor mainly used verbal and visual cueing throughout the class. Her verbal cues were clear, consistent and easy to follow, particularly when reinforcing posture, alignment and core engagement. Common cues included:
• “Shoulders away from your ears.”
• “Lengthen through the spine.”
• “Zip the ribs and hips together.”
• “Engage your powerhouse.”
• “Move with control.”

Visual cueing was frequently used to demonstrate arm pathways and movement patterns before participants performed the exercise. This helped clients understand the movement more clearly and improved confidence, particularly during the arm series and rowing exercises.

The instructor also used imagery effectively to improve body awareness. During arm circles and arm pathways, she encouraged clients to imagine they were “wiping a window” with their hands, helping them maintain smooth and controlled movement. This type of imagery appeared to land well with the class and made technical concepts easier to understand. The combination of verbal, visual and imagery-based cueing created a supportive learning environment and helped participants move with greater precision.

Class management & safety: The instructor managed transitions exceptionally well throughout the class. Instructions were given in a clear, step-by-step manner, allowing participants to move safely and confidently between exercises. During transitions involving the straps, particularly when moving from arm work to feet in straps, she broke the process down into simple stages, making it easy for clients to follow without confusion.

Spring changes were clearly communicated and sufficient time was given for everyone to adjust their equipment before continuing. The pace of the class felt calm and organised, with no rushed transitions.

There were not many individual corrections required during this session, however the instructor remained attentive and observant throughout. When feedback was given, it was delivered clearly and positively without disrupting the flow of the class.

From a teaching perspective, I would adopt her approach to transitions. The clear sequencing of instructions helped maintain both safety and class flow, creating a comfortable learning environment for beginner participants.

My takeaways for teaching: 1. I would like to adopt the instructor’s pacing. The class was never rushed, but it maintained a smooth and continuous flow. Participants always had enough time to set up correctly and understand the movement before progressing.
2. I learned the importance of consistently reinforcing alignment and setup cues throughout the class. The instructor regularly reminded clients of key principles such as “shoulders away from the ears,” “lengthen through the spine,” “engage your powerhouse,” and maintaining proper head and neck alignment. These repeated reminders helped participants maintain better form and body awareness.
3. I would like to incorporate more imagery into my teaching. The instructor used simple but effective visualisations, such as imagining a sheet of paper between the chin and chest that should not be crushed, which helped clients maintain cervical alignment. These images made technical concepts easier to understand and apply during movement.

Date of observation: 2026-04-12

Duration: 55 minutes

Class type: Large group 10

Instructor name: Aoife

Studio / location: Dublin Swords

Class structure & exercise selection: The class began with a gentle warm-up focusing on breathing, alignment and core activation. The main section included beginner Reformer exercises aimed at improving strength, mobility and body awareness. The instructor introduced Long Box work and took time to explain the setup, positioning and safe use of the equipment. Exercises included Double Arm Press, Swan Prep, Pulling Straps, T-Arms and Tricep Extension. The class finished with a cool-down including stretches both on and beside the Reformer. One sequence that stood out was a standing stretch using the Reformer for support, allowing participants to lengthen through the spine and release tension through the back and hamstrings. The overall flow was smooth, progressive and easy to follow.

Cueing style & teaching highlights: The instructor used a combination of verbal, visual and tactile cueing throughout the class, with a particularly strong emphasis on imagery to help participants understand movement patterns and body positioning.

Verbal cueing was frequent and detailed, providing continuous guidance on alignment, breathing and core engagement. The instructor regularly reinforced key principles such as maintaining a neutral spine, engaging the core and moving with control.

One of the strongest teaching highlights was her use of visualisation and imagery. For example, during pelvic tilt exercises she encouraged participants to imagine squashing blueberries underneath the pelvis to create the correct movement. During Swimming Prep on the Long Box, she asked participants to imagine a small ice cube placed between the abdomen and the box, helping them maintain abdominal engagement and avoid collapsing into the lower back. She also used imagery such as wiping a window during arm movements to encourage smooth and controlled pathways.

Visual demonstrations were used regularly before exercises, and occasional tactile cueing helped reinforce positioning and alignment when appropriate. The combination of these cueing methods made the exercises easier to understand and created a highly engaging learning environment.

Class management & safety: The instructor managed transitions clearly and confidently throughout the class. Detailed instructions were provided between exercises, helping participants move safely and efficiently around the Reformer. Rather than simply telling participants where to go next, she guided each stage of the transition step by step. For example, when moving from a supine position to seated, she cued participants to extend the legs over the footbar, reach the arms forward, perform a controlled roll-up and then bring the legs to one side before standing. This created smooth and safe transitions while reinforcing movement quality.

Spring changes were communicated clearly and participants were given enough time to adjust their equipment before continuing. Safety was consistently prioritised throughout the session, particularly during Long Box exercises and position changes.

The instructor remained attentive throughout the class and provided corrections when needed, although the group generally followed instructions well and required minimal individual intervention. I appreciated how she used transitions as part of the learning process rather than simply moving between exercises.

Overall, I would not do anything differently. The class felt organised, safe and well managed from beginning to end.

My takeaways for teaching: 1. I would like to incorporate more imagery and creative cueing into my teaching. The instructor used memorable examples such as squashing blueberries during pelvic tilts, imagining an ice cube under the abdomen during Swimming Prep, wiping a window during arm movements, and carrying a tray of food during Offering. These visualisations made the exercises easier to understand and remember.
2. I learned how effective it can be to use the entire Reformer as a teaching tool rather than only exercising on the carriage. The instructor incorporated stretches and movement patterns around the machine, including standing stretches using the footbar and headrest, which added variety and improved the flow of the session.
3. I would like to adopt her confidence in guiding transitions and maintaining class energy. The pace was slightly quicker than other classes I observed, but it remained organised and engaging. The class moved continuously while still maintaining good technique, safety and attention to detail.

Date of observation: 2026-04-18

Duration: 55 minutes

Class type: Large group

Instructor name: Holly Ring

Studio / location: Dublin Swords

Class structure & exercise selection: The class followed a more intermediate-style format with a stronger focus on strength, endurance and lower body work. After a brief warm-up to prepare the body and establish movement patterns, the session quickly progressed into more challenging exercises.

The main section included exercises such as Scooter, Lunges, Planks and other standing and kneeling sequences that required balance, coordination and lower body strength. The instructor also introduced elements of the Short Box Series, including squat and abduction-focused exercises, which added variety and challenged stability and control.

The class was structured around longer working sets and repeated movement patterns, creating a more athletic and physically demanding session. There was less emphasis on stopping between exercises and more focus on maintaining momentum and building muscular endurance.

Overall, the class had a strong flow and a higher intensity than the beginner sessions I observed, providing an effective challenge for participants with previous Reformer experience.

Cueing style & teaching highlights: The instructor relied heavily on visual demonstration throughout the class. She frequently performed the exercises herself on the Reformer, allowing participants to observe the movement pattern, rhythm and technique before completing the exercise.

Her cueing style was concise and direct, focusing more on movement execution and repetition patterns than on detailed technical explanations. Rather than providing continuous alignment reminders, she often used simple coaching cues such as “three more,” “hold,” “pause,” or “last ten slowly” to maintain intensity and keep the class moving.

The class felt more fitness-oriented, with an emphasis on work capacity, strength and endurance. The instructor created a strong sense of energy and motivation while still encouraging participants to work within their own abilities.

Class management & safety: The class moved at a faster pace than the other sessions I observed, with minimal downtime between exercises. Transitions were efficient and designed to keep participants engaged and working continuously throughout the session.

The instructor managed spring changes effectively and frequently offered options to increase or decrease the challenge by adjusting spring resistance. This allowed participants to choose an appropriate level based on their experience and energy levels.

Although the class was physically demanding, safety remained a priority. Participants were regularly reminded to listen to their bodies, take breaks if needed and adjust spring settings when necessary. I particularly liked the way different resistance options were offered, allowing the same exercise to be adapted for different abilities within the group.

My takeaways for teaching: 1. Using different repetition formats (holds, pulses, slow repetitions and endurance sets) to add variety.
2. Offering different spring options so clients can work at an appropriate challenge level.
3. Building confidence when teaching more advanced or physically demanding classes while still encouraging clients to listen to their bodies.

Date of observation: 2026-05-02

Duration: 55 minutes

Class type: Large group

Instructor name: Yolanda

Studio / location: Dublin Swords

Class structure & exercise selection: The class followed a classical Pilates structure and demonstrated a highly organised progression throughout the entire session. The instructor incorporated a wide range of Reformer exercises, moving systematically through different movement patterns and body positions.

The session included a comprehensive Footwork Series, arms in straps, feet in straps, bridging variations, rowing exercises, upper body strengthening work and spinal mobility exercises. Different rowing variations such as Row Back, High Row, Rhomboid Row and Bicep Curl were incorporated, creating a balanced full-body workout.

What stood out most was the logical progression of the exercises. Rather than treating each exercise as a separate movement, the instructor layered the exercises together, gradually increasing complexity and challenge while maintaining flow and continuity throughout the class.

The session concluded with standing stretches and relaxation work beside the Reformer, allowing participants to release tension and leave the class feeling balanced and refreshed. The overall structure reflected a deep understanding of classical Pilates sequencing and movement progression.

Cueing style & teaching highlights: The instructor demonstrated an exceptional teaching style, combining verbal, visual and tactile cueing throughout the session. Her verbal cueing was particularly effective due to the way she used changes in tone, pace and volume to influence the energy of the class. At times her voice encouraged stronger, more dynamic movement, while at other moments she used a calmer tone to promote control, precision and body awareness.

Visual cueing was also excellent. The instructor regularly demonstrated movements for the class, helping participants understand the exercise before performing it themselves. Tactile cueing was used appropriately and professionally to reinforce alignment and movement quality when required.

Another strength was her ability to constantly reinforce embodiment and connection to movement. Rather than simply instructing exercises, she encouraged participants to understand how the movement should feel within their own bodies. This created a highly engaging and effective learning environment.

Overall, the combination of clear communication, experience and confidence made this one of the most effective teaching styles I have observed.

Class management & safety: The instructor managed the class with confidence and professionalism. Transitions were integrated naturally into the flow of the session and often became part of the movement sequence rather than feeling like separate pauses between exercises.

Spring changes were managed efficiently. The instructor frequently adjusted springs for participants when needed and encouraged clear communication from the group. Participants were invited to ask for assistance whenever required, ensuring that everyone could focus on movement quality and safety.

Despite the complexity and variety of exercises included in the class, the session remained organised and easy to follow. The instructor maintained awareness of the entire group while continuing to provide guidance, feedback and encouragement throughout.

The class demonstrated a high standard of safety while maintaining excellent flow and energy.

My takeaways for teaching: 1. I would like to adopt a more structured and consistent class framework. One thing that stood out was how the instructor used a reliable class structure and familiar exercise patterns, allowing participants to build confidence and progress over time while still keeping classes engaging.
2. I learned the value of layering exercises and building progressions gradually. Rather than introducing completely unrelated exercises, the instructor developed movement patterns step by step, allowing participants to experience clear progression and success throughout the session.
3. I would like to develop greater variety and confidence in my delivery style. The instructor used her voice, pacing, demonstrations and cueing exceptionally well to influence the energy of the room and maintain engagement. This observation showed me how powerful communication can be in creating an effective Pilates class.