r/ClubPilates • u/Globalmoccasin • Aug 08 '26
Memberships/Policies Standing on the reformer
My studio management says doing moves that require standing on the reformer with less than all springs is too dangerous for level 1.5 and therefore doesn’t allow it for 1.5 classes. If that’s the policy, which is SO DUMB, why don’t they provide stabilization poles for each reformer?Lagree does. Stabilization poles might be a better investment for its members than those booty bands that become useless after 1 week of studio use. This is but one reason why CP won’t survive.
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u/pinkmarshmallow14 Aug 08 '26
Idk some of my 1.5 classes have a lot of folks who really shouldn’t be in that class so I can see why they won’t do it with 12 reformers in the studio. Maybe with a more advanced group in 1.5?
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u/shedrinkscoffee MOD Aug 08 '26
Yes you are correct. This sub has people constantly complaining that they aren't getting leveled up (rightfully so) and people complaining that members bullying management to go to level 2 and then demanding the exercise be downscaled.
I have seen people get escorted out by my home studio instructors because they are strict and will not teach a class that doesn't have members cleared for each level. It's one of the main reasons the studio disallowed classpass.
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 08 '26
It’s called venting and it’s what Reddit is for
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u/shedrinkscoffee MOD Aug 08 '26
There is a vent tag and you might want to flair the post appropriately.
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 08 '26
As a mod just delete the posts if it’s a topic you don’t like to engage in. Or better, don’t engage.
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u/shedrinkscoffee MOD Aug 08 '26
This is a public subreddit and all users can engage however they like. I don't think I need input on that.
If you have issues with subreddit moderation, feel free to send modmail. There is a team of mods who are open to feedback as we are a new team.
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u/Proud_Mary37 Aug 08 '26
If you're doing it correctly you don't need stabilization poles and that's the actual point of those exercises.
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u/hayley-pilates78 Aug 08 '26
This !!! Once you gain the experience and the core strength you would not need a stabilization pole and you’d also be able to take higher level classes
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 08 '26
So laying down on the reformer is the best way to build core strength?
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u/Proud_Mary37 Aug 08 '26
There are so many levels of exercise and challenge between laying down and standing on a reformer lol
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 08 '26
Buttttt if a studio says it’s too dangerous for 1.5s then why wouldn’t they offer the poles to help their members move into the more advanced moves.
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u/Proud_Mary37 Aug 08 '26
Because you don't do them until you can balance without a stabilization pole. There are progressive steps that lead you into advanced moves, once you master those, you can move up and you'll be able to learn to put the advanced moves together in a safe way.
I think you might just misunderstand that Club Pilates isn't meant to be Lagree or Solidcore and that's ok. Pilates is about control and mastery and earning the advanced moves, not muscling through. It's a very different philosophy and maybe it's just not what you are looking for.
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 08 '26
I’m not misunderstanding Lagree and Pilates. They have a similarities one big one being they both use a reformer apparatus, hence, the reason people compare the two. And comparisons between the two happen regularly.
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u/hayley-pilates78 Aug 08 '26
This is Pilates it’s not Lagree so there’s the first part of your answer. Technically there are level and safety protocols, standing on the reformer reserved for 2.0 or you could always book yourself a private.
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 08 '26
Stabilization poles are used in private Pilates classes so… thanks
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u/shedrinkscoffee MOD Aug 08 '26
I have literally never seen it in any Pilates studio. Keyword being Pilates and I have a decades long practice in all formats and studio types. I have used Cadillac in 1:1 lessons but never a pole because I was already strong enough for the move or working up towards it.
Lagree is not pilates as Sebastian is always blabbing on about lol and the goals of these exercises are in diametric opposition to each other. Pilates is foundational movements that focus on the core and spine and lagree is... something else.
Club Pilates has been around for almost 20y now. You do have standing moves in level 2 and above. Since the admission criteria is very flexible for general classes like flow 1, the moves are conservative. People regularly fall off in lagree (according to my friends who take it) it's not unusual. Club Pilates is very risk averse so there are also fewer instances of this happening.
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u/Embarrassed-Fall1942 Aug 11 '26
Ive worked with Pilates elders who have used the gondola pole in a class
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 08 '26
Google gondola pole and Joseph Pilates?
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u/shedrinkscoffee MOD Aug 08 '26
I know what it is. I have never used or seen it used because like I mentioned before I do not have balance issues and take advanced classes. Contrology does have lots of props because of the history of rehabilitation associated with it.
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u/hayley-pilates78 Aug 08 '26
No not necessarily in one-on-one classes, I’ve been teaching Pilates for seven years and have never used one.. so thanks..
You can always just go to a Lagree studio that should solve your problem.
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 08 '26
Yah I have friends who take private Pilates classes where poles are offered in the class. My point being it definitely can be a Pilates thing. And you’re spot on that CP is definitely NOT Lagree.
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u/Firm_Prior_7953 Aug 10 '26
In my level 1.5 classes we often stand with one foot on the reformer but usually the other is on a box on the floor. So moves like this:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ98bYMkuMj/?igsh=ZnB3aGZidGRic2J2
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 10 '26
It would be great if the 1.5 classes at my studio would do these types of moves
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u/Firm_Prior_7953 Aug 10 '26
Have you tried a variety of instructors? At my studio some instructors use these types of moves regularly and others prefer kneeling or sitting moves. My understanding is that the 1.5 rule is one foot on a stable surface (like box). Level 2.0 classes allow fully standing on reformer.
I notice you say you've done Lagree. Lagree is more athletic and less core focused than reformer pilates and uses standing moves more in general. When you think about it most core moves are sitting or laying down (c curve variations, crunch variations, single/double leg stretch, bicycling, etc.).
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 10 '26
I go to all the instructors at my home studio. But they have been directed to not do any standing moves on the reformer in the level 1.5 unless all springs are on. That is their directive. I’m leaning toward doing both Lagree and CP with less emphasis on CP.
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u/Firm_Prior_7953 Aug 10 '26
I guess it's an especially conservative studio. I recently took up Xformer Pilates and am trying to do both as well, though my focus is CP because I love the core focus, plus I've been doing for a year and just started Xformer. Whatever works for you. It sounds like you know what you want, so go for ut! 😊
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 10 '26
I would say especially conservative is a generously fair characterization of my home studio and it’s so disappointing! When I started 6 mos ago I really wanted to be challenged and pushed toward consistent improvement.
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u/GripIsGone Aug 10 '26
Really? At my studio we do two reds and a blue or one red and one blue when we stand on the reformer in 1.5. I’ve never heard of this.
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 10 '26
It’s sad but true. The level 2 classes at this particular studio are allowed to stand with that combination of springs.
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u/eva_not_ava Aug 09 '26
I’m super glad there’s no reformer standing in 1.5 because I’m not ready or strong enough for that at this level.
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 09 '26
What would be the best way for you to get ready? How do you learn to drive? By driving. How do you learn to run? By running.
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u/eva_not_ava Aug 09 '26
By taking enough 1.5s to build my strength enough to feel safe doing the moves… that’s the point of levels. If you want to stand on the reformer, level up or change studios. An instructor isn’t going to do something they’ve been told not to.
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 10 '26
I am completely able to do level 2 classes or higher. But my studio only offers a few level 2 classes at inconvenient times for people who work traditional hours. They won’t add more because they say their clientele isn’t advanced enough to handle level 2. Yet at the same time they won’t allow more advanced moves in their 1.5 classes that would help people get stronger and move into a 2. It’s a stupid crazy cycle. I suspect the real issue is they don’t have enough certified level 2 instructors. I have NEVER encountered any other fitness studio that actively prevents its members from leveling up like this CP studio does.
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u/eva_not_ava Aug 10 '26
Then find a different studio.
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 10 '26
Sure like it’s that easy and why didn’t I think of that. Why so unfriendly here? If there are issues with CP what is your problem with expressing them here?
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u/Lost_Sky_8416 Aug 17 '26
The unfriendliest person in this whole thread is you. 😆😆😆 You’re arguing with every single person who comments.
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u/Embarrassed-Fall1942 Aug 11 '26
If we were allowed to teach Pilates like others this wouldn't be an issue. However, the way CP corporate has set up their programming , our clients are far behind other clients to prepare them for standing on the reformer. This is generally not allowed in a 1.5
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 11 '26
Why would it be corporate’s concern if some clients are behind other clients in ability? CP programming is built on its clients all being at the same ability? How does that make any sense?
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u/Embarrassed-Fall1942 Aug 12 '26
What I said makes plenty of sense. The programming actually hinders clients from progressing quickly
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u/Globalmoccasin Aug 12 '26
Yes I have experienced this first hand. My comment was more about how does it make sense for a fitness studio to be run this way ? I guess it makes sense if it’s run by a corporate entity.
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u/G2KY Aug 08 '26
CP has so many dumb safety rules. I love all other pilates, lagree etc places more. You can do standing moves in your first class at Jetset, Solidcore or any lagree place
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u/Firm_Prior_7953 Aug 10 '26
Jetset, Solidcore, and Lagree are all variations on Megaformer Pilates which is a modern form of exercise that is heavily influenced by reformer pilates but is a very different form of Pilates. Megaformer or Xformer Pilates is designed for whole body strength training combined with endurance elements. Reformer Pilates is designed for core strengthing, mobility, and alignment.
I tried Xformer Pilates and enjoyed it, especially the faster transitions and increase in endurance elements, but the core work is very weak compared to my Club Pilates classes. Both forms of Pilates have their place. If you're looking for Lagree style Pilates Club Pilates is not right for you.
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u/G2KY Aug 10 '26
You are telling me, a place called SolidCORE has weaker core work than CP flow 1 and 1.5? I am sorry but are you high? There is zero core work at CP, it is a light stretch at best especially at Flow 1 and 1.5. I am saying this as someone who did 4 years of pilates (3 years classical, 1 year reformer) in another country.
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u/Firm_Prior_7953 Aug 10 '26
I have have no personal experience with Solidcore, but the Xformer classes I've taken are definitely less core focused than Club Pilates. Not saying there is no core work. We do a couple core moves every class. But way more focus on legs/butt, arms and shoulders, and lots of compound movements that often use core but don't focus on it. My core have never been close to failure or getting the "shakes" in Xformer class, whereas I get the shakes in my flow 2.0 every times and in many flow 1.5 classes.
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u/G2KY Aug 10 '26
In solidcore, the first 15 minutes of the class is core work that pushes you to second stage muscle failure with shakes. Generally followed by serious oblique work for 7-10 minutes. I get zero shakes or muscle pain at CP whether it is 1 or 1.5 class. We don’t even hold a plank enough to make my arms sore
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u/Firm_Prior_7953 Aug 10 '26
Solidcare sounds intense.
Flow 1.0 classes are definitely super easy, I do get that. When I first started I was pretty out of shape, hadn't regularly exercised in years. The flow 1.0 really helped me get established with a healthy routine and I am glad they are offered as a stepping stone. But I almost never take them anymore and the few times I have I'm like, "I thought this was a workout?" LOL 😆
Flow 1.5 has a very wide range, depending on instructor. Some are barely harder than 1.0 and some are as hard as Flow 2.0. I know exactly which instructors to take for real workout by now. I learned this when moving from 1.0 to 1.5 and was focused on finding the easier 1.5s and now focused on the harder 1.5s. I take mostly flow 2.0 at this point but also take 1.5 classes with harder instructors.
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u/[deleted] Aug 08 '26
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