reformer 45 min · 22 moves

Foundations

Transcribed from a full-length reformer foundations class, spring changes included.

As it reads on the watch

  1. 1 / 22

    Reformer Roll-Up

    Legs over the foot bar

    4 springs · heavy

    Connect movement to breath

    • · Exhale roll up, hold the C-scoop
    • · Breathe into your back and sides
    • · Inhale down, low back to mat · x10
  2. 2 / 22

    Teaser Prep

    Hands on the foot bar

    4 springs · heavy

    Deep low core, open chest

    • · Push the bar down, chest opens
    • · Hips pull under, legs float
    • · Let go, reach · option: legs long
  3. 3 / 22

    Series of Five

    Single, double, scissors, twist, lowers

    4 springs · heavy

    Core endurance, no break

    • · Lift high to spare the neck
    • · Empty the lungs each switch
    • · End with double-leg lowers
  4. 4 / 22

    Footwork Series

    V, arches, toes, calf raises

    4 springs · heavy

    Heavy lower-body strength

    • · Press to completely straight legs
    • · Resist out AND in
    • · Finish with calf raises + stretch
  5. 5 / 22

    Bridge Series

    Hinge, articulation, single-leg kicks

    4 springs · heavy

    Lift up, don't push back

    • · Heels on bar, knees over toes
    • · Roll down one bone at a time
    • · Keep hips level for single-leg kicks
  6. 6 / 22

    The Hundred

    Short loops

    2 springs · red + blue

    Coordinate breath and movement

    • · Tabletop, legs over or under bar
    • · In 5 pumps, out 5 · 10 sets
    • · Carriage still, chest lifted
  7. 7 / 22

    Coordination

    2 springs · red + blue

    It has some parts to it

    • · Curl: arms + legs extend together
    • · Cross the legs 1-2-3, knees in
    • · Then elbows bend, head lowers · x4
  8. 8 / 22

    Short Spine

    Long loops · headrest down

    2 springs · red + blue

    Inversion with assist

    • · Legs to an L, deepen the stretch
    • · Roll up onto the shoulder blades
    • · Small diamond, roll down the middle
  9. 9 / 22

    Plow

    Seated · legs thru blocks

    1 spring · red

    Posture - sit really tall

    • · Bend the knees if that helps
    • · Straight-arm push behind the hips
    • · Don't lean forward on the press
  10. 10 / 22

    Seated Arm Work

    C-scoop curls + single-arm row

    1 spring · red

    Arms and core linked by breath

    • · Roll low - think hundred position
    • · Elbows high for curls
    • · Row one arm back, legs stay still
  11. 11 / 22

    Long Stretch

    Plank · hands on bar

    1 spring · red

    Scooped beats drooped

    • · Foot where headrest meets blocks
    • · Push out only as far as stable
    • · Chest forward to close · knee mod
  12. 12 / 22

    Elephant

    Round back

    1 spring · red

    Pike prep + hamstrings

    • · Ribs up, head down, toes lifted
    • · Carriage back, heels stay down
    • · Exhale pulls the feet under you
  13. 13 / 22

    Offering + Shaving

    Taylor sit · short loops

    1 spring · red

    Co-contract arms and abs

    • · Press out, then open wide to a T
    • · Thumbs together, elbows overhead
    • · Lean slightly forward, neck long
  14. 14 / 22

    Down Stretch

    Kneeling

    1 spring · red

    Up and wide with the chest

    • · Whole foot against the blocks
    • · Legs press back to the plank
    • · Come in by lifting, not forward
  15. 15 / 22

    Long Box Pulling

    Pulling straps, triceps, arm circles

    1 spring · red

    Posterior chain

    • · Foot bar down, prone on long box
    • · Pull straps, then tricep kickbacks
    • · Finish with lift-open-lower circles
  16. 16 / 22

    Teaser

    On the box · no straps

    2 springs · red

    A balance move, not power

    • · Enough box behind you to lie down
    • · Roll back, chest open, legs float
    • · 5 arm lifts · roll-downs · circles
  17. 17 / 22

    Short Box Abs

    Round back + flat back

    2 springs · red

    Abs working, neck resting

    • · Feet under strap, sit tall
    • · Round back: hips roll, arms lift
    • · Tilt back with a long spine
  18. 18 / 22

    Bow and Arrow

    Short box · twist

    2 springs · red

    Move the spine, not the hips

    • · One foot in the strap, stack hips
    • · Top arm up, bottom arm crosses
    • · Get low, exhale lift · both sides
  19. 19 / 22

    Swimming

    Short box

    2 springs · red

    Glutes - booty, that's it

    • · Belly button mid-box, 3 points down
    • · Turned-out legs flutter kick
    • · Add opposite arm to leg · 10 count
  20. 20 / 22

    Overhead

    Long loops

    2 springs · red

    Build it in three stages

    • · Pull arms down, THEN hips swing up
    • · Separate + flex, straight legs
    • · Roll down upper, middle, lower
  21. 21 / 22

    Feet in Straps

    Leg circles, frog, straddle splits

    2 springs · red

    Pelvis still, legs free

    • · Circle both ways, meet in center
    • · Frog: heels together, press out
    • · Finish with big straddle splits
  22. 22 / 22

    Push-Up

    Off the machine

    on the mat

    Traditional finish

    • · Shoulders over wrists, lean forward
    • · Whole shape lowers, chest to mat
    • · Exhale up · x10, shrink range if hot