First, let me just say that Pilates is no joke.
A form of mind-body exercise that German physical trainer Joseph Pilates developed, Pilates is similar to yoga—but the former concentrates on core strength, cardio and a different benefit from breathing (power).
In any event, the 50-minute class I took at Streeterville’s Reform Studios, 228 E. Illinois St., was enough to reveal my strengths and weaknesses—and the latter seemed to outnumber the former. However, seeing your weaknesses can also lead to improvement. (By the way, I felt soreness, but only in spots that I thought I had exercised before but apparently hadn’t.)
This Pilates studio, interestingly, is different from any other in Chicago as it features Reform RX machines—the world’s first digitally connected Pilates reformer on which more than 100 different exercises can be done. Equipped with a hi-def touchscreen, the RX Reformer includes an ever-growing library of Reform RX workouts onto each machine. The RX also tracks users’ movement to the thousandth of a second using unique technology integrated into its Smart Spine, giving real-time info on calories burned, heart rate and power output during each class, followed by a post-workout breakdown on screen.
The Streeterville studio—which features a beautiful mural by Eric Harold that symbolizes the area—offers both live and self-guided classes on Reform RX in a class area that is deceptively large. Each class format has its advantages, as the former makes sure you’re doing the moves correctly while the latter is easier on the wallet/purse. Also, the live-class format—which founder Jennifer Villamil designed and leads—uses the beat of the music to inspire and guide the class flow, while encouraging each guest to celebrate their own journey. (Two other observations: The music definitely helps, with Madonna’s “Live to Tell” being a great cool-down song, while Villamil delivers positive affirmations throughout the session. If you want that boot-camp feel, this is not the place.)
“Our classes are made for everybody, but with modifications,” Villamil told me after the session. “That’s why everybody does something different—because everyone’s body is different.” And Villamil added that people shouldn’t be intimidated by the cost (which, as previously pointed out, can be $10 for a half-hour workout) or the exercise itself. (I have to admit that, when researching Pilates, a friend informed me about a different machine called a cadillac that prompted me to say, “If that’s a cadillac, start me with a Hyundai.”)
Villamil has been practicing Pilates for about a decade—mostly as a client, although she added, “I really got excited when I got certified and dove into the teaching aspects of it.”
Asked what she discovered about herself while changing from student to teaching (and moving away from the corporate world, which she was in for 20 years), Villamil responded, “I really enjoy seeing people work through situations in class. I know how that is and it’s great to see and feel the reward after you push yourself and say, ‘I can do this.’ I get really excited when I help people find their moment of discovery.”
And Villamil’s daughter played a pivotal role in her move from the corporate realm. “I became a mom later in life, and I had her when I was 40,” she said. “Pregnancy and postpartum are not as easy as we’re sometimes told they are; for me, postpartum was really difficult mentally and physically. I went to Pilates the whole time during my pregnancy and postpartum—and, for her first birthday, my mom brought her into the studio where I was a client, to meet my instructor. I saw her and just got emotional. Seeing her in that space, I realized that Pilates is so much more than about getting fit. When I say that it ignites your mind, body and evolution, I truly believe that. I got back home and decided that I didn’t want to be involved in advertising anymore—I wanted other people to be able to transform.”
Regarding Reform Studios, Villamil said, “I think people should work out here because I truly believe—and other people have told me—that it’s different. The workout is more holistic because we have a warm-up, cardio and cool-down, and no other studio has [all] those in their classes. And people leave feeling rejuvenated and not like they need to go to sleep. I truly believe that everyone should do Pilates for their own health.”
And you don’t have to leave right away. “People hang out in the studio after class all the time,” Villamil said. “Sometimes, I wonder if people are in to take a class, and it’s fine if they’re not.”
Reform Studios is a very cool place to immerse yourself in a wonderful and challenging workout. And if anyone scoffs at what Pilates can do, direct that person to this spot. That person will become a believer. (Oh, and keep in mind that, despite that top photo, class attendees wear gripping socks for workouts instead of going barefoot—which I love.)