Pilates Is a System, Not Just the Reformer: Understanding the Full Pilates Method

Mention Pilates today and, for many people, the first image that comes to mind is the Reformer.

And honestly, I understand why.

Reformer Pilates has grown enormously in popularity. It's versatile, challenging, adaptable — and it's an incredible way to experience movement. I teach it, I educate future Reformer instructors, and I love what the Reformer can offer.

But there's something I often find myself reminding my students:

Reformer Pilates is part of Pilates. It isn't the whole Pilates system.

And understanding that distinction can completely change the way we experience — and teach — the method.

Pilates Was Never About Just One Piece of Equipment

The beauty of Pilates is that it's a system.

There's the Mat, Reformer, Chair, Cadillac or Tower, Barrels and other apparatus, each giving us a different way to explore movement.

I don't think of them as separate versions of Pilates or as one being "better" than another.

I think of them as different tools.

Sometimes a movement that feels almost impossible on the Mat suddenly makes sense on the Reformer. Something we discover on the Chair can completely change how we experience an exercise somewhere else.

That's where Pilates becomes really interesting.

Instead of asking:

Which piece of Pilates equipment is best?

I prefer to ask:

What does the person in front of me need today?

That's the system. It's also how I've structured the training pathways I teach here in Dubai — you can see how the pieces connect on my teacher trainings overview.

Why Has Reformer Pilates Become Pilates?

The rise of Reformer Pilates has introduced so many people to the method, and I think that's fantastic.

But somewhere along the way, Reformer Pilates and Pilates started becoming almost interchangeable in the way we talk about them.

Someone says, "I do Pilates," and quite often what they mean is, "I do Reformer."

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But the Reformer is one part of a much bigger movement conversation.

And interestingly, we're starting to see curiosity shifting beyond the Reformer again.

Mat Pilates Is Getting Attention Again

Mat Pilates is experiencing renewed interest.

According to ClassPass's 2025 global booking data, Mat Pilates reservations increased by 114% year over year.

I find that really interesting — not because Mat Pilates is suddenly "new," but because it isn't.

Mat Pilates has always been part of the foundation of the Pilates system.

Perhaps people are simply becoming curious about Pilates beyond the machine.

And I think that's a good thing.

I'll explore this properly in my next article, Mat Pilates Is Having a Moment — But It Isn't New, because there's much more to say about why the Mat deserves this renewed attention.

Mat Isn't the Easy Version of Reformer

This is another misconception I hear quite often.

Mat Pilates is sometimes seen as the easier alternative to Reformer Pilates.

Anyone who has experienced a good Mat class probably knows that's not necessarily true!

On the Mat, you have your body, gravity and the floor. There isn't always a spring or carriage available to provide assistance or feedback.

That simplicity can be incredibly revealing.

And this is one of the things I love about the Pilates system: different environments teach us different things about the same body.

If you're an instructor deciding where to begin your own training, I've written about that choice in more detail in Mat or Reformer: which Pilates certification should you start with?

The Equipment Is the Tool. Movement Is the Goal.

This is probably the biggest lesson Pilates has taught me over the years.

Before the Reformer, Chair, Cadillac or Mat, there is a person.

How are they moving?
What are they finding difficult?
Where do they need support?
Where could they be challenged?
What might help something finally click?

This is why movement foundations have become such an important part of the way I teach.

When you understand the movement behind an exercise, you're no longer attached to one particular exercise — or one particular piece of equipment.

You have options.

And as an instructor, options are incredibly valuable.

You Don't Need to Know More Exercises. You Need to Understand Movement.

Early in my career, like many instructors, I thought becoming better meant learning more.

More exercises. More variations. More repertoire.

And of course, continuing education matters enormously to me.

But over the years, I've realised that the real growth happens somewhere else.

It's in learning to observe.

To ask better questions.

To understand why you're choosing an exercise rather than simply knowing how to teach it.

Because the best exercise isn't necessarily the most impressive one.

It's the one that makes sense for the person standing in front of you.

That's actually a topic I want to explore separately, because developing a trained eye has probably been one of the biggest transformations in my own journey as an instructor and educator. It's also the part of teaching that's hardest to learn alone, which is why so much of my mentorship work with new instructors is spent here rather than on repertoire.

So, Is Reformer Pilates Enough?

I get versions of this question quite often.

And my answer is: enough for what?

If you love your Reformer classes, keep doing them! You don't need to use every piece of Pilates apparatus to enjoy and benefit from Pilates.

But if we're asking whether the Reformer represents the entire Pilates method?

No.

It's one wonderful part of it.

The real magic happens when we stop thinking about Pilates as a particular machine and start understanding it as a system of movement.

Because ultimately, whether I'm teaching on the Mat, Reformer, Chair or Cadillac, the question I'm asking myself is the same:

Who is in front of me, and what do they need from me today?

The equipment gives us the tools.
The person gives us the reason.

And for me, that's where Pilates really begins.

If You'd Like to Explore the Whole System

If this has made you curious about what sits beyond the Reformer, that's exactly what I teach. Whether you're looking at Pilates teacher training in Dubai for the first time or you're already teaching and want to widen your understanding of the method, have a look at my upcoming courses. All Balanced Body® course prices include manuals and VAT, so there's nothing hidden to budget for. And if you're not sure where you'd fit, message me — I'd much rather talk it through with you than have you guess.

Quick Questions About Pilates & Reformer Pilates

Is Reformer Pilates the same as Pilates?

Reformer Pilates is part of Pilates, but Pilates is a broader movement system that also includes Mat work and apparatus such as the Chair, Cadillac or Tower and Barrels.

Is Mat Pilates easier than Reformer Pilates?

Not necessarily. Mat and Reformer Pilates challenge the body differently. The Reformer can provide both resistance and assistance through its springs, while Mat Pilates relies largely on your body, gravity and the floor.

Is Reformer Pilates enough?

If you enjoy Reformer Pilates as your movement practice, absolutely. But the Reformer itself doesn't represent the entire Pilates method. Exploring other parts of the system can offer different movement experiences and challenges.

What is the full Pilates method?

The Pilates method combines movement principles, Mat work and different pieces of Pilates apparatus to develop qualities including strength, mobility, control, coordination and body awareness.

About Paula

Paula Uribe is a comprehensive Pilates instructor, movement educator and Balanced Body® Educator based in Dubai. Through Flow by Paula, she teaches Pilates and Pilates teacher training with a focus on strong movement foundations, thoughtful teaching and helping instructors understand the person behind the exercise.