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The popularity of Reformer Pilates is surging in Braunschweig, with young women increasingly drawn to the exercise method – often showcased in stylish pastel athletic wear – and studios popping up across the city. From Lamme and Rühme to Rautheim, and with “The Core House” slated to open in the Nordstadt’s Schimmel Hof in February, the trend is rapidly gaining traction. But this isn’t a fleeting fad; the roots of Reformer Pilates run deep, offering a unique approach to fitness with a focus on holistic well-being.
The Story Behind the Reformer
Joseph Pilates originally developed the reformer apparatus in the 1950s, as explained by Kathrin Wiering, owner of a Braunschweig-based Reformer Pilates studio. Wiering, 47, launched her studio in June 2025 at Heinz-Scheer-Straße 2, located beneath the “Body Balance” fitness studio in Rühme. Contrary to popular belief, Pilates didn’t intend the reformer to be a standalone fitness tool. “The mat is the supreme discipline – it is the most strenuous, but also the most effective,” Wiering emphasizes, positioning the reformer as a supportive element to classic mat Pilates.
A Legacy Rooted in Rehabilitation
Born on December 9, 1883, in Mönchengladbach, Hubertus Joseph Pilates initially conceived his training system as a method for rehabilitation and strengthening, particularly for injured and bedridden individuals. His exercises and devices, including the reformer, were born from a holistic philosophy aimed at improving strength, mobility, and body control. The reformer’s origins are remarkably simple: Pilates constructed the first iteration from a bed frame, incorporating the springs commonly found in beds – elements that remain central to the training today.
How the Reformer Works: Resistance and Control
The reformer utilizes a movable carriage mounted on springs, creating adjustable resistance. This resistance is tailored to the individual’s exercise, fitness level, and physical needs. Pilates’ original vision was to use the reformer to build strength specifically for those who struggled with mat Pilates. “Back then, the device was an addition to help us learn the mat better,” Wiering clarifies.
Today, the reformer is frequently employed as a full-body fitness tool, targeting the abdomen, back, pelvic floor, and deep muscles crucial for posture, stability, and balance. However, it’s not designed for maximal strength training. “The springs are not enough for this,” Wiering notes. Instead, the focus is on controlled strength, proper alignment, and stability.
Pilates initially established a fixed set of classic reformer exercises. “The rest is well thought out, but it’s not original,” Wiering states. “He wasn’t concerned with beauty at all, he was concerned with health. Good upright posture.”
Braunschweig’s Reformer Scene: Small Groups, Personalized Attention
The Braunschweig studio currently offers six reformer devices, with courses bookable online up to four weeks in advance – and typically filling up quickly. Wiering intentionally maintains small class sizes. “We consciously work in small groups. It’s more personal, the participants are corrected, the direction is right – and the training is health-ambitious, not just fitness-oriented.”
The average participant is between 20 and 30 years old, though interest from men, particularly footballers, is growing. “Cristiano Ronaldo posted on Instagram that he was using it, and since then the footballers have been interested in it too.”
The Rise of a Trend: Aesthetics and Accessibility
So, why the recent surge in popularity? According to Wiering, “It creates a great standing posture and everything looks easy.” The training cultivates lean muscles with an aesthetic reminiscent of ballet, resulting in visually appealing results often shared on platforms like Instagram. This visual appeal contributes significantly to the trend’s reach.
Wiering welcomes the increased attention, regardless of the motivation. She points to a concerning trend among Germans: a significant increase in sedentary behavior. A survey by German Health Insurance (DKV) from August 2025 revealed that Germans now spend ten hours sitting on a typical workday – nearly two hours more than a decade ago. This prolonged sitting can lead to weakened muscles, tension, poor posture, metabolic issues, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, fatigue, and general malaise.
“The trend allows people to really get to know their bodies,” Wiering explains. “Most young people are so shortened.” Participating in Reformer Pilates encourages individuals to become aware of their physical limitations and to reconnect with their bodies. “They learn to feel their bodies,” and prioritize their health, a factor that is paramount to Wiering.
A Personal Journey to Reformer Pilates
Wiering’s dedication to Reformer Pilates stems from a personal experience. Having worked in the fitness industry since 2012, she found her passion in guiding others toward physical well-being. “I have always enjoyed giving classes, it is my absolute passion,” she says. “I love motivating people to exercise and have fun with them.”
In addition to Pilates, Wiering also teaches yoga and fitness classes and works as a pain therapist. However, a car accident that resulted in a broken breastbone and a severely damaged wrist forced her to adapt her practice. “Then we had to move on,” she explains. Reformer Pilates allowed her to continue teaching while accommodating her physical limitations. She renovated and furnished a vacant room beneath the existing fitness studio, creating a dedicated space for the growing trend. “It’s a nice alternative and it’s a definite trend.”
Wiering’s philosophy is simple: “I can’t control how someone comes in here, but I can control how someone leaves here.” She believes in the enduring value of the reformer method and the importance of qualified instruction. While trends may come and go, Wiering is confident that the reformer’s focus on health and body awareness will continue to resonate with individuals seeking a more mindful and effective approach to fitness.
