You know that feeling where you can’t sleep the night before a flight? It turns out that’s also how you feel the night before your first reformer Pilates class.
I don’t know if it was nerves or excitement or a combo, but I barely slept a wink before my 6am class at ReformX Pilates on High Street.
However, despite the lack of sleep, I rallied! I sluggishly slipped out from my cosy covers at 5.10am, chucked on the workout clothes I’d set aside the night before, applied some concealer to hide the future fluster of my cheeks, brushed my teeth, filled my Frank Green, and set off.
Soon enough I was strutting down Penrith’s main street at sunrise in my Ugg boots to reach the studio located above Harry Hartog.
I arrived early to discuss my beginner jitters with my instructor Simona and find out how the reformer beds work. She showed me the springs that adjust the resistance, the sliding carriage I would stand and lay upon, the cords for my hands and feet, and the foot bar.
After that quick tour, my jitters were bulldozed, and I was ready for the 45-minute class.
The class offered a dynamic yet low-impact full-body workout that focused on the core, back, glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps. And as all workouts do, we commenced with a warm-up before things got more intense and then concluded with a cool down.
Throughout the experience, as I was bending, stretching, tensing and breathing in new ways, Simona checked in and provided positive reinforcement when I was exercising correctly, and gentle correction when my movements were off.
By the end, I felt like I’d already tackled the day. The workout was as invigorating and addicting as it was pain-inducing.
I had to ensure this wasn’t a one-off experience, so I attended a 9.30am class soon afterwards with Alisa.
Once again, in the chic new state-of-the-art studio, I was challenged to work muscles and push myself in a supportive environment.
Alisa was committed to ensuring everyone achieved the best results from the class and provided some tips on how I could adjust exercises to better suit my tall frame.
The team at ReformX Pilates have a clear passion for the people that walk into their studio. From my 6am class with Simona to my 9.30am with Alisa, I could tell both qualified instructors were ready to redefine their clients’ fitness journeys with warmth and personalised attention.
For anyone looking to be reformed, I’d say ReformX Pilates is the place to start.
Added bonus: The downstairs Harry Hartog makes a great post-Pilates coffee.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.