What to expect at your first reformer class

Nearly everyone arrives at their first reformer class with the same quiet worry: that they'll walk in, look at the machine, and have no idea what to do. You won't. Every studio worth its salt, ours included, builds the first session around exactly that assumption. Here's precisely what to expect, from what to wear to what actually happens once class starts.

To combat this worry, we created our FOUNDATIONS. class: we understood that worry and wanted to make sure everyone gets the basics down properly, without feeling intimidated, with everyone in the room genuinely in the same boat. We go over the reformer itself as part of the lesson, so there's no expectation you'll know your way around the machine beforehand. Please see bottom of page for more info.

What to wear:

Workout clothing is the way to go, and it's for a practical reason rather than a style one. Baggy items, oversized hoodies and loose joggers especially, aren't suitable for the reformer: the extra fabric can catch on the springs, the carriage, or the straps, which is both annoying and occasionally unsafe. It also makes it harder for you to move properly and for your instructor to see and correct your form, so something closer-fitting works better all round.

Grip socks are required in most reformer studios, ours included, since the carriage surface is designed to be gripped rather than slid across in bare feet or regular socks. If you don't own a pair, studios typically sell them at reception, so it's rarely a barrier to your first visit.

Skip dangling jewellery and anything bulky around your wrists, since your hands will be moving in and out of straps throughout the class.

What to bring and eat beforehand:

Bring water if you can, though don't worry if you forget it or run out mid-class: we have a free cold filtered water tap in studio to refill or fill up before you start. Reformer classes involve real exertion, and you'll want it on hand, particularly if you're new to the intensity.

If you fancy a bit of an energy boost beforehand, our wellness bar has a few snacks as well as healthy energy drinks available. It's generally advised not to eat a really heavy meal in the hour or so before class, since a lot of the work happens through your core and abdominals, and a full stomach can make that genuinely uncomfortable, but what and when you eat beforehand is really down to what works best for you.

Arrive ten to fifteen minutes early for your first session. Your door code in Momence gives you access up to 10 minutes before (please see our entrance instructions in our FAQ section). This gives you time to check in, get your grip socks sorted, and settle in before things get moving, which makes the whole session far less overwhelming.

What actually happens, minute by minute:

Every instructor and every class has their own flow, so routines won't always follow this exact pattern, but this is generally how a first session goes.

What surprises most first-timers

Three things come up again and again. First, how much you shake, even in exercises that look completely still from the outside. Second, how sore you are the next day in places you didn't expect, often your inner thighs or the small stabilising muscles around your shoulders. Third, how much individual attention you get. Reformer classes are usually kept small, which means your instructor can actually watch your form and correct it in real time, rather than shouting generic cues across a packed room.

Good technique built in your first few sessions carries you through everything that comes after.

Common worries, answered

Where to start

At Renegade, first-timers begin in our FOUNDATIONS. class, a dedicated entry session that introduces the machine and the core movements at a pace built for genuine beginners. From there, most people move into RENEGADE., our signature flow class, once they're comfortable on the reformer.