Pilates Technique Thursday: Why Matwork Comes Before Reformer

Reformer classes shine when taught with a strong foundation in Pilates Matwork principles.

In today’s fast moving fitness world, it’s easy to be drawn to the visual appeal of the Reformer the springs, the straps, the sleek design. Reformer classes are booming, and understandably so. But for any Pilates teacher who truly wants to teach the method, not just the movements, the starting point must be Matwork.

The Mat is Where You Learn to Teach Pilates

MATwork teaches more than just choreography. It’s where you learn:

• Breath and control• Postural awareness• Cueing and correction• Precision, flow, and centreing

On the Mat, you’re not relying on springs or straps. You learn how to see bodies, how to correct alignment, and how to guide clients using only words, touch, and presence. You learn how to teach.

When teachers skip this stage and go straight to Reformer, they may know the repertoire, but they often miss the depth. Without the grounding in Matwork, the Reformer becomes just a piece of equipment, a fancy machine for fancy exercises. That’s not the method.

Reformer Without Pilates Method? Clients Notice

One of the biggest issues we’re hearing is client retention. People trying Pilates, often for the first time on the Reformer, and walking away saying it was “boring” or “didn’t feel like much.” This usually isn’t a reflection of the Reformer or the method. It’s a sign the teacher may not be teaching the method at all.

Without Matwork, many end up cueing choreography, not education. There’s no layering, no purpose, no progression. And clients feel that.

Start Simple, Stay Powerful

Let’s not forget: some of the most transformative Pilates work is in the basics. The footwork series alone, done with repetition and precision, can change someone’s posture, gait, and even mindset. But it takes teaching skill and a solid grounding in the Matwork principles to bring those results to life.

For Teachers: What You Can Do

• If you’re already teaching Reformer, ask yourself: do I really understand the Pilates principles?• If you skipped Matwork in your training, consider going back to study it. It will strengthen everything you do on all equipment.• Observe how your clients respond. Are they learning the method or just going through movements?

Final Thought

MATwork isn’t old fashioned or basic. It’s foundational. And when you understand it, the Reformer becomes even more powerful.

Let’s bring the focus back to what makes Pilates unique: the method. And that method starts on the Mat.