You don’t need to shy away from reformer pilates if you’re coming out of lockdown having barely worked your core for a year. One of the benefits to a reformer pilates class is that they tend to be small, with a teacher who can pay you full attention. “It can be tricky to learn, and you’ll have to be properly taught how to use the machines, but one of the great things about reformer pilates is that you are never left to your own devices,” says Emma.

However, it’s not recommended that beginners – or even experienced reformer users who are returning after a while away – jump in too quickly. “I always recommend starting slowly as you are putting the body under a lot of tension. I wouldn’t say people should do more than two classes a week at the beginning,” says Emma. “Consistency is always key, and it takes weeks to feel and see results from any type of training.”

And if you don’t have yourself down as a pilates kind of person, rest assured that you’ll benefit from the practice. Thanks to it’s ability to strengthen and stretch, “pilates supplements every type of exercise,” says Emma. So whether you’re looking to improve your running endurance, get back to your pre-lockdown squatting strength or find a new way of training outside of the house, keep reformer in mind. It’s only a couple of weeks to go until 17 May.

Reformer pilates is the post-lockdown workout trend full of core-strengthening benefits