My First Reformer Pilates Experience at Industry Studio
Trying something new always feels a little uncomfortable, especially when it’s something you’ve recommended, borrowed from, or used pieces of for years, but never actually done yourself.
As a physiotherapist, I’ve used Pilates-based concepts in rehab for a long time: bracing, controlled movement, coordination through the core and hips, slowing things down early after injury. But until recently, I had never taken a reformer Pilates class myself.
That changed this week when I tried a beginner reformer class at Industry Studio, and honestly it was a really solid experience.
The Studio & Atmosphere
First off, the space itself is beautiful. Bright, calm, clean, and welcoming without feeling intimidating. The vibe is relaxed- the kind of place where it feels okay to be new, to ask questions, and to just focus on moving well.
You can tell a lot of intention has gone into creating the space. Everyone was friendly and approachable, which matters a lot when you’re stepping into something unfamiliar. It’s also right by the clinic, which makes it especially tempting to pop in more often.
I’m particularly interested in trying their runner-focused class, given how often running shows up in both my personal training and my physio practice.
What Stood Out in the Class
1. Pilates Is Great for Exposing Imbalances
This was probably my biggest takeaway.
Many of the movements start bilaterally, but because you’re working with straps and springs, it becomes very obvious when one side wants to take over or when something doesn’t feel quite right.
As a physio, this is exactly the kind of feedback I’m looking for when assessing movement:
one shoulder blade moving differently
one hip doing more work
one side feeling less coordinated or stable
The option to progress movements to be more unilateral was especially useful. From a rehab perspective, this is huge. It allows you to address imbalances in a way that’s controlled, intentional, and surprisingly challenging.
2. Control, Intention, and Full Range of Motion
Everything in the class was slow and deliberate, with clear cueing around pelvis position, ribs, shoulder blades, neck, and breath.
This strongly reminded me of FRC-style concepts that I use in physiotherapy- moving through your full range of motion with control.
What I really liked about the reformer is that you’re doing this under some load, even if it’s light. That added resistance provides more proprioceptive feedback, which can make it easier to find and strengthen positions that are often difficult to access in the hips or shoulders, especially after injury.
3. “Easy” Doesn’t Mean Easy
From a load standpoint, Pilates may not look challenging, especially if you lift heavy, or do high-intensity training.
But once you slow things down, isolate specific areas, and lengthen levers, it gets hard quickly.
I was in a beginner class with minimal resistance, and there were moments where my core was shaking quite a bit. That’s something I often explain to patients: difficulty doesn’t always come from weight- it often comes from control, precision, and time under tension.
Why Pilates Fits So Well With Physio & Rehab
I don’t see Pilates as a replacement for strength training, running, or sport but I do see it as an excellent complement to them, especially in rehab and return-to-activity phases.
Pilates works really well for:
identifying and addressing movement asymmetries
improving control and coordination
building strength in end ranges
increasing joint and tissue resiliency
developing awareness that carries over into more complex or loaded movements
Many of these principles show up early in physiotherapy, particularly after injury. What’s nice is that those same foundations continue to matter as people progress back to lifting, running, or sport- just layered with more load and complexity over time.
Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed my first reformer Pilates class at Industry Studio. It was thoughtful, challenging in a different way, and at times humbling- in a good way.
From a physio lens, the reformer is a really useful tool for building strong movement foundations, improving control, and addressing things that often get missed when training is only heavy or fast.
I’ll definitely be back- both as someone who enjoys training and as a clinician who values movement quality, resiliency, and long-term joint health.
Studio Info
Industry Studio
📍 1481 Dundas Street West, 2nd Floor (entrance off Dufferin)
Toronto, ON
🌐 https://www.industrystudio.ca
📧 hello@industrystudio.ca
