A woman has recounted her alarming experiences with Reformer Pilates, including a fall from the machine and being asked to perform dangerous exercises, amid concerns that the fitness trend's popularity is compromising safety. The incidents occurred over the past two years as she attended various studios.
In one class, she was instructed to do the splits without any springs on the machine, a move she deemed unsafe for anyone but seasoned practitioners. She opted out. Two weeks later, at another studio, a darkened room with loud music and no modifications left many participants confused and unbalanced, with some falling repeatedly.
After sharing her concerns on social media, she received a flood of messages from others who had similar experiences. One follower reported pulling a groin muscle due to an inexperienced teacher, while another said they feared cracking their head open and simply sat down. A third recounted telling the instructor it was their first time, but the teacher seemed indifferent.
Luke Meessmann, an exercise physiologist and owner of Absolute Studios, emphasised that safety should be paramount in Reformer Pilates. The trend's rapid growth has led some studios to prioritise profit over proper instruction, increasing the risk of injury.
