Specific Risks of the Reformer

    Unfortunately, the Reformer posess a variety of risks for the inexperienced client. Therefore, providing comprehensive risk training prior to performing exercises on the Reformer is essential, especially for new clients. The following list contains a number of possible sources of risk which of course any Pilates instructor can expand on accordingly.

• Depending on the manufacturer and Reformer model, components of the Reformer may loosen. With regard to some modern Reformer types, there are for example some screws and parts of the footbar which should be checked regularly. As already mentioned for the springs, a weekly inspection is recommended to ensure that parts of the Reformer do not loosen unnoticed.

• The client might pull on the footbar. This could happen when performing exercises in a standing or kneeling position, but also when standing up. While the footbar of modern Pilates Reformers is often fixed, this is not the case with classic versions of the Reformer. It is important to demonstrate this danger to the client. A further precautionary measure would be to ensure that, during exercises wherethe hands are placed on thefootbar, the thumbs are aligned flat with the fingers and do not grip thefootbar.

• For modern footbars there is an additional safety risk depending on the respective type: the pin for locking the footbar might not slide into the intended position by itself. fI the pin doesnot lock the footbar on one side, the footbar might suddenly shift to the side and away from the client. Depending on the exercise, this can pose a significant risk to the client.

• In the traditional Reformer, the carriage is not explicitly secured and might therefore tip over. At the beginning of training on a new Reformer this can be tested relatively easily: if you can simply lift the entire carriage vertically from the tracks (caution, it's heavy!), the carriage is not secured and could tip over during exercises where the weight is shifted towards one side of the carriage.

Typical exercises would be, e.g.: Tendon Stretch, Semicircle, Side Splits when both feet are placed on the edge of the carriage at the beginning.

• When standing on the carriage, it is advisable to take care that loss of balance does not result in a fall. Thefewer springs used during standing exercises, the more likely this is to occur. In the most extreme case, advanced students might even completely avoid using springs. It is certainly not advisable to practice this with a client for the first time when in a group session, as the difference in the dynamics ofthe exercise is almost always misjudged. Therefore, at least two full springs should be used when practicing standing exercises with beginners. For persons above 100 kg in weight it is advisable to additionally insert at least half a spring. From 140 kg upwards, standing exercises should be avoided at first. During private lessons it is recommended to remain relatively close tothe client in order to help to restore his/her balance in case of insecurity.

• When stepping down from the carriage after an exercise performed standing, one should avoid stepping down to the front, as it is more difficult to estimate the swing of the forward movement compared to stepping down backwards. Neither is it recommended to step down over the front of the Reformer (the side with the footbar), as one might get stuck on the footbar.

• When kneeling on the carriage, one is exposed to a similar risk as when standing: there is a general risk of losing one's balance. Especially during the arm exercises, this can happen during the reversal part of the movement, as for example when coming back during a chest expansion exercise or when bringing the arms down and away from the body when performing arm circles. It is often worth advising the clients to take care, especially when returning the carriage.

• During the 'Horseback' exercise on the long box, the client balances on the moving carriage and this can be potentially dangerous. In particular, there is a risk of falling forwards during the reversal part of the arm movement.

• Loose objects lying around in the training room might be tripped over or slipped on. Therefore, always place spare handles and loops in the space behind the carriage: one should not stay there during Pilates training anyway. Place the extension straps over the back frame. Place the Reformer box crosswise behind the Reformer with the opening facing the Reformer. Place the pole either in the box or, if it is too long, clamp it to the Reformer by using the box.

• The springs might not be properly hooked in. Depending on thegear and spring combination, ti is certainly possible to only half-hook a spring, causing it to come loose during use of the Reformer. This is particularly dangerous if only one spring is used. It is advisable to draw the client's attention to this potential risk from time to time.

• The handles might swing and hit the client's face, especially when rearranging the loops while lying on the Reformer.

• The hands might get caught in the footbar. In the case of studio Reformers, the footbar can usually be adjusted to several positions, during which one might pinch one's fingers. Since the footbar varies with the type of Reformer, one cannot generalize here. Especially when instructing beginners, it is useful to point out the potential risk from time to time.

• The hands might get caught in the carriage, especially during an exercise like 'Reverse Knee Stretch'. Accordingly, one should advise the client to point the thumbs and all fingers to the outside of the frame when performing the exercise.

• During exercises performed in the direction of the footbar, one's hair might get caught in the springs. In this case place a rubber pad on the springs. Similarly, the client's hair might get caught in the head rest. Therefore, its advisable to draw the client's attention to this risk and advise him/her to tie the hair up.

• If the hands are placed on the shoulder blocks, these might, depending on theReformer type, be pulled out upwards if they are not further secured. This is the case with the Stott S P Reformers. Thiscan lead toa sudden loss of control during the “Tic Toc” exercise.

• During exercises where part of the bodyweight rests on the shoulder blocks, e.g. Balance Control Push Up Front, there is a risk of slipping. Clients who have sweaty fingers should be advised to dry them off first.

• Use of the Safety Strap(s) in the Reformer. For the Short Box Series the feet or ankles are secured in the Safety Strap at the front of the Reformer. With classic Reformer models, there are usually two straps, which should beused simultaneously for safety reasons. Traditional Pilates instructors have also reported cases where straps have ripped and people have been injured due to the use of only one strap. Modern Reformers usually provide for only one strap. It is advisable to check the strap for the correct position of the carabiner etc. before starting the exercise.

• If one wants to exchange the springs on the Reformer for the client while he/she is already on the Reformer, one should ensure that there is no closed kinetic chain between the carriage and footbar and the frame of the Reformer. In other words, the client should be positioned entirely on the carriage and should not touch the footbar or the frame of the Reformer with any part of his orher body. When wanting to change a client's springs in the middle of agroup session, it is advisable to do this only during an exercise in which the foot space remains clear.

• If one wants to help clients with the Overhead or Short Spine while standing behind the headrest, one should adjust one's position so as not to touch the carriage.

• Some Pilates instructors may teach from the standing position on the Reformer carriage during exercises such as the Short Spine. This is potentially very dangerous, as it is often impossible to properly estimate the pace at which the client is moving.

• With regard to certain modern Reformers, it is possible that the long box, due to its increased length, cannot be placed over the shoulder rests. This is true for Stott SPX Reformers. In this case, the Reformer box significantly protrudes over the Reformer carriage when placed lengthwise. During exercises such as the Backstroke, where the weight is placed on the front edge (from the footbar's perspective), the Reformer box can tip forward towards the gear. fI the box can be placed over the shoulder rests in the long box position, please do so to minimize the chance of tipping.