First of all — I am so glad you are thinking about coming.
I know that feeling of standing outside a new studio, not quite sure what you are walking into. I have been there myself. And after 13 years of teaching, I have welcomed hundreds of first-timers through the door of this studio. I know exactly what is going through your head. So let me just tell you what is going to happen, from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, so you can walk in feeling calm and ready.
Because here is the truth: your first class is going to be great. Not perfect — great. And there is a difference.
Before You Arrive
Wear something comfortable that you can move in. Leggings and a fitted top work perfectly. You do not need special shoes — we practise in socks, and grip socks are ideal if you have them (we also sell them at the studio if you don't). Bring a small water bottle. That is genuinely it. No special equipment, no preparation required. Just you, comfortable clothes, and an open mind.
If you have any injuries, niggles, or health conditions, please mention them when you book or when you arrive. I am not asking so I can turn you away — quite the opposite. I want to know so I can make sure every exercise works for your body specifically. The Reformer is incredibly adaptable, and in 13 years I have very rarely encountered something I couldn't modify.
Walking In
Our studio is in an old commercial building in Almancil — one of those wonderfully quirky Portuguese buildings that has a character all of its own. When you walk in, you will see the Reformers lined up and ready. It looks impressive. It might look a little intimidating. That is completely normal.
Come and say hello. I will show you to your Reformer, explain the basic parts of the machine, and make sure you are comfortable before we start. You will not be thrown in at the deep end. I promise.
The First Few Minutes
We start gently. Always. The beginning of every class is about connecting with your breath, finding your alignment, and letting your body settle into the movement. Even if you are an experienced mover — a runner, a yogi, a gym regular — the Reformer will ask something slightly different of you, and those first few minutes are about tuning in.
Your brain will be busy. Where do my hands go? Is this the right spring? Am I doing this right? That is completely normal and it is part of the process. Everyone goes through it. I will be watching and cueing throughout, so if something feels off, I will spot it and help you adjust.
During the Class
Classes run for 50 minutes and we keep them to a maximum of eight people. That small group size is really important to me — it means I can actually see what everyone is doing and give you real, individual attention. You are not just a body in a room. I know your name, I know your history, and I am watching your movement throughout the class.
We will move through a sequence of exercises that works the whole body. Some will feel immediately familiar and satisfying. Others will make you think "I had no idea that muscle existed." Both are good signs. The resistance comes from springs, which means the challenge is adjustable. I will guide you through all of it. You do not need to remember anything — just listen, breathe, and move.
What You Might Feel
Honestly? During the class, you will probably feel a mixture of things. Some moments will feel wonderful — that lovely sensation of your body moving well, of finding strength you didn't know you had. Other moments might feel unfamiliar or slightly awkward as your brain works out the coordination. Both are part of it.
You will not feel exhausted the way you might after a spin class or a run. The Reformer works differently. It is deep, precise work, and the fatigue is quieter — more like a warm, satisfied tiredness than a gasping, depleted one.
The Day After
This is where it gets interesting. The day after your first Reformer class, you will feel muscles you genuinely did not know you had. Not in a painful way — in a "oh, hello, I didn't know you were there" kind of way. Your deep abdominals. The muscles around your shoulder blades. The inner thighs. The small stabilisers along your spine.
This is a good thing. It means the work reached the places it was supposed to reach. Most people feel a little taller after their first class. A little more aware of how they are standing and moving. That awareness is the beginning of everything.
After Your First Class
Come back. That is the most important thing I can tell you. The first class is about orientation. The second class is where it starts to click. The third class is where you start to feel it. By the fourth or fifth class, most people are completely hooked.
The results that people talk about — the posture changes, the back pain disappearing, the golf swing improving, the feeling of being genuinely strong and mobile — those come from consistency. Not from one class, but from showing up regularly and letting the work accumulate.
One Last Thing
I started this studio because I genuinely believe in what the Reformer does for people. I have seen it change bodies, reduce pain, build confidence, and improve lives in ways that are sometimes quite moving to witness. I do not take that lightly.
When you come to your first class, you are not just trying a new workout. You are beginning something. And I am really glad you are here for it.
See you on the Reformer. Victoria x
