Athletes are using Reformer Pilates as their secret training weapon, here's why

Have you tried Reformer Pilates? Or perhaps you are well and truly in your ‘Pilates era’ well then you have something is common with the elite athletes of the world, perhaps your planks or pulse game is better than LeBron James?

Strength, control, and precision

Professional athletes across the board are turning to Reformer Pilates as a secret weapon in their training arsenal, typically seen more with professional dancers, gymnast’s more and more elite sports are exposing their teams to Pilates, particularly Reformer Pilates, to deliver strength, control, and precision in a way that supports peak performance and longevity in sport.

And science backs it up

Pilates has been widely studied in the exercise and sports performance space, with growing evidence showing its impact on core strength, joint stability, flexibility, and injury prevention. What makes it so effective and why more athletes and teams are carving out time to jump on the Reformer is how well it complements the vigorous strength and conditioning work already built into their programs. Reformer Pilates offers a holistic approach to training, targeting not just global movement patterns but also the deep stabilising muscles, all while supporting joint health and optimising mobility. Gold winning combination!   

Recovery, anyone?

Pilates is renowned for controlled, deliberate exercises, designed to build awareness of how your body moves. This focus on precision can improve technique, reaction time, and coordination.

It also makes Reformer ideal for recovery days, delivering a workout that supports tissue health, circulation, and alignment without high impact or overload. And this is exactly what top coaches look for when designing training programs, it needs to be sustainable, intelligent, and effective to support long-term performance. 

Designed for everyone

This is another reason I love Pilates, it's designed for everyone. The impact it has on movement outcomes is universal, whether the end goal is to win the Super Bowl, a gold medal, or simply move better in everyday life. That same performance mindset can be applied to your next workout or class. And honestly, some days just getting my little boy ready for school feels like an Olympic sport in itself.

Curious to see what Reformer Pilates can do for you? Whether you're an athlete or just looking to move and feel better, our classes at Virgin Active are designed for every body, with a positive community to support you. With plenty of class styles to choose from, including:

• Reformer Pilates - Foundations
• Reformer Pilates - Align
• Reformer Pilates - Athletic
• Reformer Pilates - Recovery

Come give it a go - you might just find your new favourite way to train.

^{About the author}

^{With nearly 15 years in the health and fitness industry, and a degree in Health Science, Alice is a Pilates trailblazer. She excels as a lead instructor, crafting exceptional and popular Pilates classes, while also hosting workshops and training for inspiring Virgin Active Pilates instructors. As a former IFBB Bikini Model, she graced the pages of Women’s Health magazines and proudly represented the Pilates community as a Lululemon Athletica Ambassador. Alice's mission is to inspire everyone to embrace their bodies through the empowering world and movement of Pilates.}