Save yourself time planning reformer classes.

BY PROGRESSING YOUR CLASS PLANS & YOUR CLIENTS

When I first started teaching Reformer Pilates, two things made class planning feel overwhelming:

1. It took me hours to create a class plan.

2. I felt like there were so many exercises to choose from and so many classes to plan that I didn't know where to start.

   
   

I would sit down to plan a class, stare at a blank page, and randomly pick exercises, only to find myself doing the same thing the following week. The result? My classes felt disjointed, my clients weren’t progressing, and I knew I needed a better system.

If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation, unsure of how to create a class plan that’s both efficient and effective, you’re not alone. But there’s good news: You can streamline your planning while ensuring your clients see progress. That’s exactly why I created my Reformer Pilates App for Pilates instructors—to help teachers like you save time and teach with more confidence. Let’s dive into the practical steps you can take right now to level up your class planning.

The Key to Effective Planning: Consistency and Progression

When class plans lack a clear direction, it’s easy to fall into one of two common traps:

1. Classes are too varied: Clients don’t have the chance to build on movements or develop the skills they need to progress. Without a clear progression, each session feels disconnected from the next, and clients struggle to gain mastery over key movements.

2. Classes are too repetitive: When exercises stay the same over time, clients may hit a plateau, feel bored, or even become frustrated with their lack of progress. Without progression, clients don’t see the improvements they’re looking for, which can lead to disengagement.
   

To avoid these traps, it’s crucial to implement a strategy that ensures gradual progression in every class. Here's how to structure your approach:

• Start with a goal: What do you want your clients to achieve in their practice? Whether it's improving mobility, strength, or stability, having a clear target allows you to focus your planning around specific outcomes.
  

• Assess their current level: Understand where each client is in their practice. What movements do they handle well, and which areas need more attention? This knowledge will guide you in selecting exercises that meet their current abilities while setting the stage for future progress.
  

• Gradually progress: This is where the magic happens. Progression doesn’t mean throwing in new, random exercises every week; it means gradually increasing the challenge. You can do this by following some of the tips below
  

Reformer Pilates Tips for Class Progression

When planning your clients' progression, consider how you can advance an exercise over the weeks to aid their improvement. Utilize these key factors to make adjustments:

1. Spring tension: Add or reduce resistance to challenge strength or control.

2. Base of support: Try single-leg work or unstable positions to test balance.

3. Complexity: Layer movements together (e.g., combining arm and leg work).

4. Range of motion: Increase flexibility and control by working through a larger range.

5. Tempo: Slow things down to improve precision, or add a tempo challenge for endurance.
   

For example, if you’re teaching the Footwork series, you might start with two-leg presses, then progress to single-leg variations, increase the spring tension, or add arm movements.

How to Save Time When Creating a Reformer Pilates Class Plan

One of the most effective ways to save time while still delivering impactful sessions is to create a class plan that spans several weeks and follows a structured progression. Step 1. Start by assessing where your clients are right now—what exercises can they do with ease, and where do they need more support? Step 2 Set a clear goal for what you want them to achieve, whether it’s improving strength, mastering a specific skill, or enhancing overall mobility.

Step 3. Once you have these foundations, map out a progression over the next 5-6 weeks with exercises that gradually build in complexity or intensity.

Here’s the real time-saver: Develop 5-6 reusable class plans that fit into this progression. Teach these classes over the designated weeks and then cycle them back into your schedule when needed.

Not only does this streamline your planning process, but it also gives your clients the consistency and progression they need to see real improvements. Plus, when clients notice the thoughtful design behind your classes, they’ll feel motivated and inspired to keep coming back for more.

Save Even More Time on Class Planning with a Pilates Class Planning App

If you’re ready to take your class planning to the next level and save even more time, the Pilates HQ App is here to help. This Australian Pilates class planning app offers over 400 Reformer flows, weekly Reformer class plans in PDF format, and an extensive library of exercise progressions and regressions to suit every client. Whether you’re working with beginners, advanced practitioners, or multi-level groups, the app provides everything you need to plan effective and engaging sessions in minutes.

And here’s an extra time-saver: download 3 free Reformer class plans to jumpstart your planning process and see how easy it can be to create structured, progressive classes your clients will love.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD 3 FREE REFORMER CLASS PLANS

To save even more time and get help with your class planning. Sign up today for a 14-day free trial and experience how the Pilates HQ App can streamline your teaching and free up your time for what matters most—helping your clients thrive. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR A FREE 14 DAY TRIAL OF THE APP