Where can I take a (real) Reformer Pilates class in Paris?

If we stick to the original method, the Pilates Reformer is actually just one part of the method developed by Joseph Pilates. It’s just one machine among many… In fact, as part of his comprehensive method (Contrology), he designed a complete training system to rehabilitate and strengthen the body using specific machines designed to lengthen, strengthen, stabilize, or correct, including the Reformer, the Cadillac, the Wunda Chair, and the Ladder Barrel. In Paris, Verena Tremel, founder of Studio Rituel, and Marine Taktak, head of Studio Hundred, both advocate an approach to Pilates that stays true to Joseph Pilates’ original method.

Verena explains:“Given the craze and the excesses surrounding the Pilates Reformer, I think it’s important to remember that it’s just one component of the Pilates method,” emphasizing the importance of how the different machines complement each other—which, in her view, is what makes the discipline so rich. Marine, for her part, emphasizes the educational aspect of this method:“Each class follows a specific structure, with a clear progression (…). It’s not just about performing a series of movements on a machine, but about working the body in a holistic and deeply connected way.”

That said, a fitness studio that doesn’t offer this range of equipment isn’t necessarily one to cross off your list. Cassandre Mugnier, founder of Reformation Pilates, emphasizes that the quality of instruction depends above all on attention to detail and adherence to the fundamental principles of Pilates: breathing, precision, control,body alignment, fluidity, and core engagement —without which the method would be nothing more than a passing fad.“It’s by integrating these principles that we truly understand how our bodies work and optimize how we use and care for them on a daily basis.” 

Finally, Diana, founder of the Ôra studio, emphasizes the importance of movement always having a specific purpose:“We’re not just trying to work up a sweat or burn calories. We focus on the deep muscles, posture, mobility, and balance of the body as a whole. It’s an extremely comprehensive practice that helps build lasting strength while being gentle on the joints.”

With three locations in Paris, Reformation Pilates is one of the pioneering studios. Cassandre, the founder, trained in New York—where she was living at the time—after discovering the benefits of the method for both her physical and mental well-being . She opened her first studio From return to Paris (nine years ago), driven by a desire to make the practice more accessible and modernize it. As a result, Reformation Pilates is one of the few studios offering Reformer and Tower classes at multiple levels. She explains:“Pilates is a system that was designed to be practiced on multiple machines From inception. We’re committed to staying true to the method while offering a modernized, effective, and addictive version.” 

But what makes this studio so special isn’t just its locations—each one more sunny than the last—but above all the quality of the instruction and Reformation’s expertise itself. Here, you start at Level I before progressing to Level III. The coaches are there to guide you and help you grow over time. The secret? Cassandre reveals it to us:“It’s the combination of excellent training and the human values that are essential to the studio experience.”A studio that makes us love exercise and adore Pilates, thanks to the warm welcome we receive—with smiles, kindness, and attention. 

Reformation Pilates 

Studio Palais Royal, 47 Rue de Richelieu, 75001 Paris

Studio Marais, 175 rue du Temple, 75003 Paris

Studio Saint-Sulpice, 82 Bonaparte Street, 75006 Paris

www.reformation-pilates.com

Photo: Timothée Chambovet

Review(s) Pilates Review(s) , Hundred is one of those studios that offers a comprehensive method and is undoubtedly one of the most faithful to Joseph Pilates’ original practice. As a sports enthusiast, Marine has completed several Pilates training programs in Paris, Montreal, and New York. When she decided to delve into the very origins of the practice, she realized that the method had been simplified—and sometimes even distorted. She then decided to create her own studio, on a human scale, to stay true to the very essence of Pilates. At Hundred, the focus isn’t on stringing together movements but on working the body as a whole using various machines: the Tower, the Chair, the Cadillac, the Barrel, the Mat, and the famous Reformer. Group classes (in small groups—6 people max) are offered at different levels so that everyone can find the right fit. 

And what sets Hundred apart is its training program. Marine explains:“Every year, we train future instructors through the prestigious Real Pilates Teacher Training® program. This training is one of the most internationally recognized programs and equips instructors with everything they need to become exceptional teachers.” The secret to gaining access to the best instructors… Simply put, Hundred is an intimate studio where you’re sure to receive the perfect support to grow in your practice. 

Hundred 

3 rue de la Feuillade, 75001 Paris

www.hundred-pilates.com