Congratulations! With FOLD by your side you’re ready to say hello to Reformer Pilates at home. That means more opportunities for mindful movement, mobility and meditative moments throughout the day. And plenty more benefits too.
We’ve got on-demand workouts, expert trainers and Communities to help you feel part of something special while you train for your goals. What’s not to love?
For now, here are a few tips on how to get started with at home Reformer Pilates from FOLD.
Before you get moving
Getting ready for bed
There are just a few things to do when you first get out your foldable reformer bed. Firstly, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got a non-slip surface for your bed. If you’re on a wooden floor, try putting grip mats underneath the wheels of your bed to stop it from sliding. Then, you’ll want to:
- Check your wheels are tightly fixed
- Make sure the leather on the main carriage is facing up
- Connect the springs in the following order from left to right: red, green, yellow, green, red
For more help finishing your bed setup, we’ve got a short explainer video.
Protecting your bed
Your FOLD reformer bed comes with everything you need to glide into your classes but you might also find it useful to lay a yoga towel or grip mat (like our FOLD Pilates Mat coming soon) on top of your bed carriage for extra support, grip and stability. Our mats are sweat-resistant so they protect your bed’s upholstery leaving it like-new for longer.
Plus, you can also use your mat for pre-workout stretch and post-workout meditation.
Wearing the right gear
When you’re wearing the right workout clothes, you help your mind get into the zone for training. Plus, you’ll have a more comfortable class.
A pair of grip socks is essential to keep you safe and also help you get the full expression of your poses. You’ll also want to wear supportive and comfortable clothing for a good range of motion as well as something that lets your body sweat.
Time to get moving
Starting your first class
In the FOLD app, we’ve got workouts for every level, led by our expert coaches. So whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced, looking to take your athletic performance to the next level or wanting to train a particular area of your body, you’ll find what you need.
And because we know that life gets busy and sometimes it’s just a little more difficult to move, you’ll also find shorter workouts too. After all, the most important thing is to get going. It will do your body and mind a world of good.
Exploring different classes
You won’t always want to do the same class over and over again. Changing up your workout helps to keep things interesting and also gives your body an extra challenge. That’s why we’ve got loads of videos to help you reach your Reformer Pilates goals. Be sure to browse our collection to find a few that work for you and, every so often, mix it up and try a class you’ve not been to before.
Trying new ways to move
Variety is the spice of life, we all know that. But that doesn’t just mean changing up your classes. Props can also help you experience different ways to move, unlock extra poses and challenge your body. Take Pilates bands for instance. They can help you improve your flexibility and stability.
Keeping yourself moving
Creating a routine
After you’ve done your first FOLD Reformer Pilates class at home, you’ll probably feel pretty good. And we want you to keep that feeling. That’s why we recommend you create a routine to prioritise your wellness.
If you make a little bit of a plan, you’ll find it so much easier to unfold your bed time and time again.
While the word ‘plan’ might sound scary, you could do something as simple as deciding how many times a week you want to get on your reformer bed. Or set an intention to spend at least 10 minutes a day doing Reformer Pilates. You could also jot down what areas of your body you want to train and when.
Finding your community
Even though training Reformer Pilates at home is an individual practice, it doesn’t have to be. With our FOLD Communities, you can connect with like-minded people and share the experience of working out at home, together.
It can feel empowering to work with someone who shares the same wellness goals as you. Plus, it will keep you motivated to show up on your bed every day. And we’ve got plenty of people waiting to meet you in the Communities section of our FOLD app.
Tracking your progress
If you’ve got goals that you want to hit, a really good way of keeping yourself motivated is to track your progress. And it’s more than just physical goals.
Say, for example, you want to use a regular at home Reformer Pilates practice as a way of managing your stress. You may want to spend a few minutes writing down how you feel before your class. Then, once you’re done, do the same thing again and reflect on whether your feelings have changed. Keep doing this every time you step on your bed and you’ll begin to spot some patterns.
After you’ve finished
Taking care of your reformer bed
Before you fold away your reformer bed, don’t forget to give it a clean. A specially-formulated disinfectant spray will help to remove germs and protect the leather. You can also use gentle soapy water too.
Every so often, you’ll also want to dust the springs and other parts of your reformer bed to remove any dirt build-up and keep your bed moving smoothly. Just the way you like it.
Folding your bed away
So that your bed is ready to use again for next time, just double check the wheels and bed frame to make sure nothing has come loose before you pop it away.
The best way to store your FOLD reformer bed is to remove the carriage first. That way, you’ll find it easier to fold and move. Then, when your bed is in place, grab the safety belt to secure.
And that’s all there is to it! Welcome to the FOLD.
If you’re feeling inspired to move, give it a go and share your progress on our app in Communities or tag us on Instagram. We love to see how FOLD is helping you make positive changes for your wellbeing.