Reformer Observation Logbook

Date of observation: 2026-06-06

Duration: 60 minutes

Class type: Large group - mixed level

Instructor name: Holly Ring

Studio / location: Halo

Class structure & exercise selection: Warm up, main exercises, followed by a cool down.

Exercises included:
-Supine footwork series including double leg press - toes, heels, arches, walking and running
-Single leg lunge
-Scooter
-Tricep press
-Low row
-High row
-Hug
-Salute
-Abdominal curls
-Knee tucks
-Plank hold
-Frog
-Leg lower and lift
-Leg circles
-Breathing and relaxation

Cueing style & teaching highlights: Explaining each exercise clearly and in loud voice.

Some verbal cues including control the carriage as it returns, square the hips, keep knees over toes, keep pelvis heavy.

Tactile cues were provided to ensure correct and optimum alginment and positions

Class management & safety: Ensure carriage was home before changing exercise or springs.

Clearly explain and demonstrate each exercise before clients begin.

Provide clear instructions for changing positions (supine, kneeling, standing).

Check spring settings, straps, and equipment setup prior to each transition.

My takeaways for teaching: -importance of providing cues (tactile/verbal)
-ensure loud and clear voice when teaching
-importance of asking if any one had an injury prior to class commencing to accommodate modifications if required
-Prioritise alignment and control before increasing intensity or complexity.

Date of observation: 2026-06-07

Duration: 60 minutes

Class type: Large Group - mixed level

Instructor name: Holly Ring

Studio / location: Halo

Class structure & exercise selection: Warm up, main exercises and stretches.

-Footwork
-Single-leg heel press
-Heel pulses
-Glute bridge
-Sit-ups
-Rotational twists
-Hip lift series
-Frog
-Leg circles
-Heel beats
-Sumo squats
-Squat pulses
-Arm arches
-Tricep extensions
-Low row
-T arms
-T arm coordination
-Lunge with kickback
-Static pulses
-Scooter
-Mountain climbers
-Knee tucks
-Plank

Cueing style & teaching highlights: Repeat key alignment cues throughout the session to reinforce good movement and positioning.

Cues included verbal and tactile cues such as
-‘as if you are wearing a corset’,
-‘Shoulders down and back’

Class management & safety: When changing springs ensuring that the exercise was complete and carriage was home.
Individual corrections were made to posture and alignment.
Clear verbal cueing was provided.
Modifications and progressions were offered for different ability levels.

My takeaways for teaching: Importance of correct technique when performing exercises.

Ensure that exercises flow.

Integrate core engagement throughout the entire class rather than treating it as a separate section.

Use clear, concise cueing and avoid overloading clients with too much information at once.

Date of observation: 2026-06-13

Duration: 60 minutes

Class type: 1:1

Instructor name: Lorraine O Sullivan

Studio / location: Powerform Pilates

Class structure & exercise selection: The class included of the following structure: Warm up, main exercises, and a cool down

Exercises included:
-footwork with dumbells
-single leg press
-tendon stretch
-pulling straps
- arm arches
- co ordination
-shoulder press
- lunge with dumbells
- Static pulses
- scooter
-half plank
-knee lifts
-short box round back
-short box flat back
-short box twist
-mermaid

Cueing style & teaching highlights: Verbal cues were provided and examples included
- tuck your chin as if there is a peach under your chin
-maintain neutral spine alignment
-engage your core
-keep shoulders away from ears

Class management & safety: Gave a brief overview of what the class would entail.
Ensured reformer was set up prior to commencing the class eg footbar up, springs on, straps even length
During the class, the instructor walked around the room and corrected positions using tactile cues.

My takeaways for teaching: Demonstrating exercises prior to commencing more challenging ones.

Clear setup cues, observation, and progressive sequencing helped maintain both safety and confidence throughout the class.

Have all equipment needed for class beside reformer such as short/long box, (ring, ball and weights if required) to avoid disruptions to the class.

Date of observation: 2026-06-14

Duration: 60 minutes

Class type: Large group - mixed level

Instructor name: Holly Ring

Studio / location: Halo

Class structure & exercise selection: -Footwork series

Using long box for leg work
- One leg in strap, kicking back (strap inside of knee)
- Abduction - Adduction
- Squat, push leg out, squat position and stand up
- Squat position and push leg in and out to pulse (staying low)
- Scooter
- Skater
Holding straps while kneeling on box, and row (red spring)
- Kneeling arms and row
- Kneeling, facing footbar - hands in straps bring arms straight up / forward
- Kneeling - hands in straps, moving magic circle up and down
- Kneeling - triceps

Short box - round back and flat back and twist

Cueing style & teaching highlights: Loud, clear projection of voice when explaining exercises.
Verbal cues to ensure correct positions.
The cueing focused on movement quality rather than range or repetitions.

Class management & safety: The instructor walked around the room and corrected positions using both verbal tactile cues.
Ensured to step onto the box first and not the carriage when this piece of equipment was used to prevent injury.
Ensured the carriage had all springs on when we were finished the class.
Modifications and progressions were offered for different ability levels to make exercise more challenging or easier.

My takeaways for teaching: The importance of correct body position and how the instructor cued it ie neutral spine, feet hip distance apart.
How transitions were managed efficiently.
How balance, strength, mobility, and core work were integrated throughout the session.