Studio business
Programming a group reformer class
The short answer
A 50-minute group reformer class needs a plan that minimizes setup changes and works for mixed abilities. Structure it as warm-up, footwork, supine strap work, core series, upper body, and stretch — with no more than three spring changes and one box setup across the whole class.
Transitions are where classes fall apart
Every spring change and box adjustment across eight clients takes 45 to 90 seconds of real time, and six of them consume a fifth of the class. Worse, the energy drops each time.
Plan the sequence so spring load steps down progressively and the box goes on once. This single constraint improves most classes more than any exercise selection.
A structure that works
This sequence moves from supported to less supported, keeps spring changes to three, and uses the box once.
| Block | Time | Springs | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm-up | 6 min | 3–4 | Breathing, pelvic tilts, footwork |
| Lower body | 10 min | 3 | Footwork variations, bridging |
| Supine strap | 10 min | 1 | Leg circles, frogs, coordination |
| Core | 10 min | 2 | Knee stretches, long stretch, plank series |
| Upper body | 9 min | 1 | Box on: pulling straps, breaststroke |
| Stretch | 5 min | 1 | Hamstrings, hips, mermaid |
Teaching mixed ability without splitting the class
Give one exercise and two modifications, always in the same order: the base version, then the regression, then the progression. Clients learn quickly which one is theirs and stop needing to be told.
Cue by intention rather than by shape where possible — "press until your legs are almost straight" works for every body in the room, where "press to full extension" does not.
Watch the room, not the plan
A plan is a starting point. If half the room is losing position in the core block, the answer is fewer repetitions and more cueing, not finishing the sequence as written.
Experienced teachers usually plan about 80% of a class and leave the rest to respond to what they see.
Frequently asked questions
- How long should a group reformer class be?
- 50 minutes is the industry standard — enough for a full sequence while allowing changeover between classes on the hour.
- How many spring changes should a class have?
- Three or fewer. Each change across eight clients costs 45–90 seconds of real time and drops the energy of the room.
- How do I teach mixed-ability reformer classes?
- Give one base exercise with a regression and a progression, always in the same order. Clients quickly learn which version is theirs.
- How many people should be in a reformer class?
- Six to ten. Above ten, the teacher cannot see everyone and spring changes become unmanageable.