REFORM YOUR PILATES

Since exercise became such a focal point in our daily lives, many of us turned to at-home workouts to get our fitness fix. ‘Pilates was a lockdown hero for many,’ says Jayne Robinson, head of brand at FRAME, London’s boutique fitness studio. ‘It’s low-impact, easy to do in a small space and is less likely to cause injury than, say, HIIT or resistance training.’ For a new challenge that will put those Zoom Pilates skills to the test, try your hand at Reformer Pilates in-studio. ‘It’s a total body workout that builds strength while working on mobility and flexibility,’ says Jayne – and as Madonna proves, it can result in amazing muscle definition over time, too.

What to expect:

‘The class is all about small and controlled movements using your Pilates breath and the Reformer equipment to engage your core strength,’ explains Jayne. ‘The Reformer itself can look a little scary at first, but it’s essentially a workout bed with a moving carriage that helps elongate the spine, joints and muscles to improve flexibility, strength and stamina.’

Who it’s for:

‘Everyone,’ assures Jayne. ‘It’s safe for anyone who is recovering from an injury and also beginners, who must do a minimum of three beginner classes [at FRAME studio] to understand how to use the equipment.’

At-home alternative:

FRAME launched ‘Reform-ish Pilates’ online, which incorporates resistance bands and gliders to mimic the exercises you would do on the Reformer bed. Classes start at £7 for 45 minutes; visit moveyourframe.com.