FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About Pilates

The reformer is a machine which consists of a sliding carriage with springs, bars and straps. Invented by Joseph Pilates nearly 100 years ago for bedridden soldiers during the first world war, it is not just another fitness fad but a remarkable piece of equipment. The reformer is also very versatile. You can lie, kneel and stand on it and adjust the tension of the springs to different levels to create the ultimate workout.
The reformer allows your body to move through a full range of motion, something which can be difficult on a mat alone.
The springs and footbar on the reformer are also adjustable. This means that exercises can be adapted for different body sizes and different skill levels.
Your Pilates teacher can help you make all the necessary adjustments to suit you. You can work out on the reformer in either group classes or privately.
Reformer pilates is a very versatile and adaptable form of exercise.
It can be supportive for those coming out of injury or in chronic pain, as well as being challenging for those wanting to bring their fitness to the next level.
It can be fun, and enjoyable and will benefit you as a standalone form of exercise or is the perfect partner to any other exercise regime that you are doing.
It doesn’t matter what stage of fitness you are before joining a class. The Reformer & Towers are versatile pieces of equipment so any adult, regardless of age, body type, fitness level can join in.
Depending on your injury and stage of healing, you will be welcome to join any beginners or restorative pilates class.
Please let your teacher know if you have any injury.
If you want a personalised approach, book an intro 121 where the instructor will assess you and support you in your rehab.
Please get in touch with our team to discuss your injury so we can advise on the best path to take.
We tend not to focus on weight loss in our sessions, as we direct the intention towards deepening the mind body connection and gaining strength.
With a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise, weight loss is possible through Pilates as it complements other training styles, however, Pilates alone will likely tone the body first.
You practise Pilates as often as you like.
Pilates will leave you feeling worked, but you won’t have huge aches and pains for days after so you can do it several times a week.
We recommend doing sessions 3 times a week as your schedule permits.
We recommend that all our clients so a variation of classes to continually learn and challenge their bodies, to build strength and awareness in their movement.
We have a variety of Reformer, Tower and Mat classes to suit all experience levels.

Tower Pilates is a class using the upright that is bolted to the end of our reformers.
It is a mix of mat and machine based exercises, and include variations of the exercises that pilates is famous for, with the guidance and support of springs rather than straps..
Mat pilates was created by Jospeh Pilates to give the studio clients exercises to do at home.
Mat pilates is completed on a mat, and may incorporate small equipment such as the pilates ring, soft pilates ball or weights.
The range of exercises use body weight to lengthen and strengthen the body.
We recommend that all reformer clients attend regular mat pilates classes to benefit from the deep connection to the body that mat pilates provides.
Mat Pilates is the perfect partner to reformer pilates, and can also be done in isolation. it is a full and complete body workout that allows you to understand the intricacies of your body and how it moves in detail.
We often forget about listening to our bodies internally, and move subconsciously from an external place. Mat pilates encourages you to look within and move differently than you would normally do.
It increases strength, stamina and you provide your support for your body without a machine doing some of the job for you.
Every-body at every stage of their fitness can join in. If you have an injury, please advise your teacher beforehand so they can be aware of it and provide adaptations.
Mat Pilates allows you to become strong and connected to your body, so if you regularly do Mat Pilates you will build the muscle strength and length that will allow you to carry out the exercises in comfort.
The beauty of mat is that you can do these exercises at home too or with one of our livestream classes.
Of course. Every-body is accommodated for in Pilates. Our incredible teachers will offer modifications to all exercises to cater for all body types and abilities.
Flexibility (and improving it) is a huge part and benefit of practising regular Pilates both on the reformer and mat.
Start with out basics levels and then build up as your strength and experience grows.
You are never too old to start Pilates.
If you think a class is moving a little too fast, you can do private 121 or 221/Duet sessions to focus on specific things and areas of the body.
The equipment is easily accessible and our teachers can give you 1:1 attention to ensure you are kept safe at all times.
Please get in touch with us to discuss any physical issues or age-related concerns you have about joining The Reformery.
Tower Pilates will work every part of your body and allows your body to move through a full range of motion, and exercises can be adapted for all ages, body sizes and different skill levels.

Classes & Passes

We recommend that all new clients book a Beginners class first. Even if you are a regular at another studio.
New Starters - build your knowledge and foundations for pilates movement. Beginners classes will give you a deep understanding of your body, the exercises and machines work.
Experienced - all pilates studios are different, and it important to understand the machines you are working on. Returning to the foundations of Pilates movement, can remind you of the foundations you may have forgotten and enjoy the basic movements that many of the more advanced moves are built upon.
A Basics class is one that reviews the foundational movements within the pilates system.
It is perfect for beginners, as you have space to learn how to set up the reformer.
Many of our more experienced clients come to Basics classes regularly not only can they vary in intensity they also enjoy a top up on the foundations of movement and unravel any adaptations or movement habits they might have created. All Intermediate & Advanced moves come from the basics so it can be important to have a reminder at a slower and more spacious pace.
Intermediate is a class that accommodates for clients of varying abilities.
We recommend that you have joined at least 10x beginners classes if you are a complete beginner so you know some of the exercises and are familiar with setting up the reformer, or using small equipment.
We would recommend that you try out different teachers because classes of the same level can vary in intensity and challenge.
Please make sure that you are very comfortable with Intermediate classes taught by all of our instructors before heading to an Advanced level class.
We recommend that you talk to your regular instructor and/or email us when you think that you would like to try out an intermediate / advanced class.
You need to be comfortable with the most challenging of All Levels classes before progressing up a level.
In an intermediate / advanced class you will be expected to work at a high intensity and also be comfortable with doing more of the advanced poses on the lighter springs, with ease.
Absolutely. We recommend that everyone with a regular reformer practice goes to Mat Pilates as well.
You learn pilates in a different way that really supports your body and it’s strength. Whilst some of the moves are similar, you will be practising in a way that will allow you to not only strengthen your reformer practice but also give you exercises that you can do at home too.
Many of our regular clients ‘do the double’, which is back to back reformer/mat classes, and some choose to do Mat in-between their reformer classes, and mix up the number & frequency depending on what their body needs.
We offer pre-natal classes to women who are post-12 weeks scan and signed off by their GP to exercise.
We welcome you to all pre-natal classes from 12 weeks until your due date.
Please email us as soon as you know that you are pregnant and we can advise you in more detail.

We encourage new customers to purchase the Welcome offer for new clients.
it gives you 14 days to book three classes, reformer and/or mat, and take advantage of our range of highly skilled pilates teachers to introduce you to the studio and pilates itself.
Once you’ve done your intro classes, then there are many options for classes, depending on what your availability and budget is.
We aim to create the best value for our customers, so take a look at the options on our prices page.
*Please note that late cancels and no-shoes will be charged at one class credit or at the drop in rate.
** If we discover that a duplicate account has been created to take advantage of the intro offers when they have already been used, the passes will be immediately blocked and not refunded.
We recommend taking advantage of the multi-pack class pass bundles or Unlimited membership to get the best value for money.
The multi-pass bundle you purchase depends on what you need and can afford. if you don’t have a pass when booking into a class the selection of passes will show at check out for you to choose from.
We will get in touch when your pass is running out so you can re-book.

The monthly membership is a rolling subscription that can be used for any class. are available for off peak and peak classes. They can be cancelled any time after the first payment.
*Please note that all class pass bundles have an expiry date. We can extend the passes for £15 per week, however refunds are not permitted.
*Monthly memberships can not be refunded or partially refunded for any part months that are unused.
If you would like to do 121 sessions, please purchase the 121 intro offer.
If you would like to share your sessions with a friend or family member, please choose the 221 intro offer option.
We have a Universal class pass that can be used to book any class.
They can be purchased for 5x, 10x, 20x packs.
We also offer two memberships.
1) 7 class/month membership
2) Unlimited class membership
Please look at our prices section and for more details.
Each class pass has an expiry date, i.e. the date from which you need to use them up by.
All passes show how long they are valid when you purchase. The expiry date is the length of time from the date of purchase. You will also receive a notification when your passes need renewing.
Expired passes can be extended for a fee by emailing us.
You can use your Universal class passes for all pre- & post natal classes.

Bookings

You can book the class you would like to join by clicking on that class on The Reformery timetable.
You will be asked to either, log in to your BSport account, or if you are a new member, you will be asked to sign up for a BSport account.
It is important to sign up because we need you to review and agree to the studio terms & conditions, and waivers prior to joining the class.
BSport is our booking software and manages our class timetable, class passes and payment processing.
In order for them to process everything and make sure that we know who is int he class, we need your information. Please see our privacy policy for more information on data provision.
As with any studio that provides physical exercise classes or private sessions, there are terms and conditions, and other forms that you need to agree to before joining a class.
When you book a class, if you don’t have any class passes, you will be prompted to purchase before confirming your booking.
At that point, you can purchase a drop in or class pass bundle depending on your need.
You will receive a confirmation of your booking via email.
You will also receive a notification reminding you of your class, 12 hrs before the class starts.
Please bear in mind that you need to cancel your class 24 hrs before the class time in order to have your credits refunded or not receive a penalty charge.
You can book up to 14 days in advance.

If the studio cancels your class then you will receive an email notification, and, if you have the app, an app notification. Your credits will be refunded to your account and you will not receive a penalty charge.
If your teacher is unwell we will aim to find a substitute for your class so it will go ahead as normal.
In the event of us being unable to find a substitute, your class will be cancelled and your credits refunded to your account automatically.
If you don’t have a booking confirmation then please double check your junk folder to see if the email was delivered there.
Also, please check your bookings in your account. If you can’t find it in your class bookings then it is likely that your booking wasn’t activated. In that case, please rebook.
Please get in touch with the studio find out what has gone wrong and whether you are booked into the class in the back end.
If you can take screen grabs from your account, via your mobile or laptop with full information of what class, time and how you booked, that would be most helpful for us to troubleshoot the issue.
We will investigate the situation, and advise if you are in the class, or if there’s a problem we need to refer to our software providers. Where possible, we will also do our best to accommodate your booking and if not, refund the credit if it has been taken incorrectly.
Early cancel : cancellations up to 12 hr in advance - full refund
Late cancel : 0-12 hrs in advance - no refund / penalty charge at drop in rate
No-show : 1 class credit / penalty charge at drop in rate

New clients : Once you have purchased your private session Intro offer pass, email reception@thereformery.co.uk to arrange your first session.
Tell us your goals and availability and match you with the instructor that fits you the best.
Once you have completed the session with your instructor, if you would like to continue with them, the teacher will organise the booking and payment with you directly.

Returning clients:
If you are a returning private client, drop us an email with the details of your previous teacher so we can connect you & book your next sessions with them.
We only take pre-paid bookings for all sessions at The Reformery.
In order to book your private session, you will need to purchase a minimum of one session or if you would like to book in more than one, then speak to your instructor about what they offer for multiple session purchases.
If you are a returning private client and would like to book a number of sessions with your teacher, please contact us at reception@thereformery.co.uk
Our teachers manage their private bookings & payments directly with the client, if you have a preferred teacher we will put you in contact with them.
If you don’t, then we will match you with another of our fabulous teachers.
Your teacher will confirm your booking.
Please bear in mind that you need to cancel your session 24 hrs before it starts to comply with our booking cancellation policy.

If the studio cancels your session then your teacher will get in touch to confirm this and arrange to reschedule your appointment.
If your teacher is unwell, they will cancel your session and contact you to rearrange the appointment when they are well again.
We will aim to advise you as soon as we know to avoid any unnecessary travel or further disruption to your schedule.
All our intro appointment passeses have an expiry date of 28 days.
We encourage our clients to book in their sessions with their instructor before this happens.
Of course, schedules change, if you are no longer able to make your time, chat with your instructor about a different time.
If they can’t accomodate, then please email us and we will place you with another instructor who is available.
If you are injured or severely ill, please get the relevant medical note / certificate to confirm what has happened so we can discuss the options with you.
Our sessions are non-refundable and non-transferable unless there is an ongoing medical emergency.
Please get in touch with your teachers to discuss options.

Please always aim to be 5-10 mins early to class so you can be ready when the teacher welcomes you into the studio. It’s important to be on time so you can set yourself up on the reformer or the mat before class begins.
Of course, best intentions can be at the mercy of traffic and public transport, however due to the size of the studio if you arrive after the class has started then we will are unable to accommodate you due to safety and class flow reasons.
Your class will not be refunded, and if you are on a membership or intro unlimited monthly you will be charged as you would for a no-show or late cancel.
Cancelling your class is really easy to do via The Reformery app or via your account on your The Reformery BSport account.

Please remember that you will only be refunded if you cancel 12 hrs before your class starts.
Late Cancels (0-12 hrs), and No-Shows will be charged at the rate of one class credit or at the drop in rate.
If you don’t turn up to class then it is classed as a ‘No Show’. You will be charged at the rate of 1 class credit, or at the drop in rate.
If you are unavoidably detained, please Late Cancel rather than No Show so other clients have the opportunity to take the space.
You can cancel via The Reformery app or via your account on your Reformery BSport account.
An Early cancel is when you cancel your class more than 12 hours from the start time. You will receive a full refund for that cancellation.
A Late Cancel is when you cancel your class within 12 hours of your class start time, you will be charged the drop-in rate for that class or 1 credit.
Due to our size, we have to be strict on the cancellation policy. So please remember to cancel via The Reformery app or your Reformery BSport account.

Please contact your teacher to cancel your private session.
You can cancel your private session up to 24 hours before the start time without charge.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before class then you will be subject to a cancellation charge of the full appointment fee.
If you are going to be late to your private session, please let your instructor know as soon as you can.
Unfortunately, we are unable to make up any lost time due to a late start.
Unlike group classes, as long as the teacher is aware we will accommodate your late arrival, however if we receive no communication then we will terminate the session after 30mins wait time.
Your instructor will work with you in the time you have left available on arrival.
We ask you to get in touch with either your instructor if you are unable to attend your session.
Remember that we have a 24 hour cancellation policy and any late cancellation after this point will be subject to a charge of the full appointment fee.
Please get in touch with your instructor to reschedule your session.
If it is 24hrs before your session start time, then you can cancel or reschedule without charge.
If you would like to reschedule 24hr before the start of your session, then this will be seen as a Late Cancel and will be charged at a full rate.

Studio Info

You can find us nestled among the Avenue road arches in Forest Gate, East London, E7
The Arches are a cluster of local independent businesses based in the refurbished railway arches running between Avenue Road and Cranmer. Rd.
You will find us in between Tracks Bar and the Cider House. Our other neighbours include the lovely Ramble Cafe (perfect for a post-class coffee & cake) and Italian restaurant, Fiore.
We can accommodate up to 11 people in a reformer class and 11 people in mat class.
If you can’t come to class, please make sure that you cancel your spot to allow more people to take your space in time.
The studio space is shared with a maximum of two teachers and their clients.
In order to maximise confidentiality, the teachers will work in different areas of the studio.
Pilates is a brilliant exercise system for every-body. No matter your gender, we welcome you to the studio to benefit from practicing pilates. Whether it is reformer, or mat apart from specific pre or post-natal classes, everyone is welcome to come to the studio.
Pilates is the perfect exercise system for everyone, no matter your age.
We welcome anybody who is 18 or over to our classes.
It is a brilliant foundation for everybody no matter what stage of life you are at. Everything is possible.
Teens and kids classes are currently not on the schedule.
Classes:
Please always aim to be a few minutes early to class so you can be there on time.
We understand that things happen, such as travel disruption, however we request that all clients respect the teacher and your class colleagues by arriving on time to avoid disrupting class.
If you arrive after the class has started then you will be unable to join your class and will be refused entry due to health & safety and class continuity reasons.
If you are late, unfortunately this will be treated as a no-show / late cancel and you will be charged 1 class credit or at the full drop in rate.
Private Sessions:
If you are late to your 121/221 session, then please get in touch with your instructor in advance to discuss your arrival time. Without prior knowledge of your Late arrival, teachers will wait for up to 30 mins before terminating the session as a no-show.
You will have the credit charged to your account, as unfortunately we have to treat this as a Late Cancel.
There is no parking at the studio.
Limited on-street parking is available - paid for during the weekdays.
After 6.30pm and Sunday’s it is free.
Ideally please use public transport (Wanstead Park or Forest Gate are our nearest stations).

All new clients to The Reformery, whether you have been to pilates before or not, are recommended to join our Basics class as your first class.
Every studio is different, and these classes allow you to get to grips with the equipment, understand how the studio is set up and understand the foundations of movement how we teach them.
Wear comfortable clothes that you can move in such as leggings, shorts and a t-shirt.
No shoes are worn in pilates so we ask that for safety and hygiene you wear pilates grip socks to class.
Pilates grip socks can be bought at the studio.
We have 11 reformers with Towers added to the end so they can be used for Tower classes, another style of Pilates class. The reformers can be converted into mats to be used for Mat Pilates too.
Additionally we have a variety of small equipment including pilates balls, free weights, therabands and pilates rings
We are a small studio and have a small changing area that can be accessed when you are allowed in for your class.
However we must warn you that we have a quick turnaround of classes, so it is always best to come ready to start your class.
We have cubby holes for you to pop your shoes and bags into in the studio. We recommend that valuables aren’t brought to the studio, in case you forget to take them home.
We run classes 7 days a week across the day - Morning. Lunch. Evening.
Our opening hours are 7am - 8.30pm.
Check out our timetable for the exact timings on each day and to book your class.
We ask you to refrain from exercise until you have had your 12 week scan and you are signed off by your GP or midwife to start exercise again.
Regular Reformery clients are welcome to re-join their classes, as long as the teacher agrees.
Any new clients, or regular clients, post-20 weeks are invited to join our pre-natal classes that are held throughout the week.
You can attend these until birth.
Postpartum - you are welcome to re-join after you have been signed off by your GP / Health visitor.
Please see our pre/post natal page for more details.