What to Bring to Your First Reformer Pilates Class

I take my reformer classes in a studio, and the good news for a first class is that the studio provides the machine, the springs and the straps. What you bring is short: something on your feet that won't slide, water, a small towel, and clothes that let the instructor see what your body is doing.

The short list

Grip socks, a water bottle, a small towel and fitted clothes. That's it. You don't need a mat, shoes or weights for a reformer class.

Grip socks: the one thing you can't skip

Most reformer studios won't let you on the machine without them. Club Pilates puts it plainly in its beginner's guide: grip socks are "required for every class", and you can buy a pair at the studio if you forget yours. Bringing your own means you're not stuck with whatever the studio has in your size.

Look for grips across the whole sole rather than a few dots under the toes: on the footbar and the carriage, your heel and arch need the hold as much as your toes. This two-pack from Ozaiic is a popular pick on Amazon, rated 4.6 stars, with silicone grips on the sole, based on the listing and verified reviews.

What to wear

Fitted leggings and a fitted top. Loose shorts and wide tops slide around when you're lying on the carriage, and they hide your alignment from the instructor. Club Pilates also asks you to avoid "anything with zippers, clasps, or buckles", which can scratch the upholstery.

For class I wear my Alo Yoga set. You don't need a designer set for a first class, though. Any squat-proof, high-waisted legging works, and this CRZ YOGA Butterluxe pair is a much cheaper option described as buttery-soft, based on the listing and verified reviews.

A water bottle

You'll want water within reach between series. A bottle that doesn't leak in your bag and fits a cup holder is all you need. The Owala FreeSip 24 oz, rated 4.6 stars on Amazon, lets you sip through the built-in straw or tip it back, and the lid locks shut, based on the listing and verified reviews.

A small towel

A hand towel is useful for sweat and for wiping your handprints off the footbar after class. Some studios hand out towels; many don't. A small microfiber towel folds into any bag and dries fast.

Before your first class

Book a beginner or intro class if the studio offers one. Arrive early: Club Pilates suggests 10 to 15 minutes before your first class, and telling the front desk it's your first time. That gives the instructor time to show you how to change the springs and where the straps go.

If you have an injury, a recent surgery or you're pregnant, tell the instructor before class starts. They can offer modifications, and it's a conversation worth having with your doctor first too.

What you don't need

A mat, shoes, ankle weights or a resistance band. The reformer's springs are the resistance. Leave jewelry that can catch on straps at home, and tie long hair back so it doesn't get caught in the carriage.

The reformer does the heavy lifting. Your job is to show up with grippy socks and clothes you can move in.