Wow, Lesley!  This tutorial is terrific.  Thank you!  You have just expertly summarized what has taken me years of trial and error to discern.  (I have just finally given up and converted an old Teague reformer to casters and leather straps.)  Wondering if you could address gears and gear bocks on a contemporary reformer?  Is it possible to get the feeling of your abs bringing the carriage in the last inch that you can get on a classical reformer without risk of the springs letting go from the then (too loose) downward rotating gear bar?  

Love this....would love a tutorial on set up based on height.  Ie, i use the different levels of the footbar based on height of client.   I am sure that there are many more tips on this.   Think Tom (?) has something like that on PA but would love more.   Please & thank you!

Hi Lesley - should you also adjust the spring bar for taller clients to still get classical feel on studio reformer? I’m 5’9 - I take it out by one notch - is that correct? Or just adjusting the footbar as you suggest might be enough for me? This is so helpful- thank you!

Mj awe wow! Thank you for the kind words. Honestly, safety wise I wouldn't mess with gears to get that spring feeling where you have to close the carriage all the way. That has to be built into the spring so it has a long neck. Also, gear bars that have springs with long necks have hooks so that as long as someone doesn't crash in the bar can tilt but not lose its springs. We can get equipment as close as we can but we can't change everything, Also, I'd worry about if something would happen your insurance might not respect the gear bar alterations.... just something to think about. xx~LL 

Jennifer S so classically we wouldn't change the footbar for height. We would gear out for taller or tighter folks. But, when using straps we'd gear back in so the strap length isn't affected. Hope that helps for now! xx~LL 

Karen J love this question.I'm 5'9" and have worked on many a studio reformer. I wouldn't  gear out for footwork but if you're tighter in the hips yes some will. However, lowering the footbar should take care of that. For long stretch using the low setting should also all you plenty of room. This way you don't need to lose your flow gearing in and out xx~LL 

Should the straps(Allegro 2) fit over the shoulder rests for correct length or loops past the headrests ?

Candace hey love, great question, just like I'm showing here you want to make those straps longer. I'd at least make it so that your short loop is to the back of the shoulder rest. If that's still too heavy when using the long loop for hands you can make them a little longer. You'll unfortunately need to shorten if you do that so that the straps aren't too long for shortspine or hamstring curls xx~LL

Very good  explanation. For 40 years I was  only on a 4 spring identical resistance   Reformer. For the last 20 years,  I  have  five springs with  different resistances which are better for  today's bodies.  Classical  was introduced as a term on October 19 2000 to replace Pilates ®  Original exercises and apparatus  is  more accurate. 

Great explanation and tool for instructors trained in classical and now find themselves using a studio reformer. Thank you