Latest news with #reformer
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
I was thrilled to get Aldi's reformer pilates machine that's £1.7k cheaper – but one annoying issue has me returning it
SHOPPERS raced to snap up Aldi's reformer pilates machine, which was £1.75k cheaper than the original version. However, one pilates fan has shared why she has already returned the bargain £149.99 device to the supermarket. 6 6 6 Eimear Hanlon uploaded a video showing her wheeling the machine into her local Aldi, with the caption: 'It's return time.' The TikToker, who posts under @eimearohanlon, explained why she wasn't satisfied with the product, which arrived in stores a week ago. She explained that hers was a 'lil faulty', saying: 'I am a pilates instructor, bought it to try and see what it was like as it could've been a great alternative to those who don't have 6K. 'The rubber kept coming off the wheels, back to the mat I go.' Many people were quick to chime in and say it wasn't the first time they had seen people posting about it. One wrote: 'Seen so many videos saying theirs broke.' However, others said they were desperate to buy one for themselves. One person who managed to get hold of one has revealed their 'honest' review after assembling it and doing their first workout. Toni Jeffrey uploaded a video captioned 'is it worth the hype' and broke down its features one-by-one. On her @toni_jeffrey account, she gave the machine a solid seven out of 10 and said it was a good reformer machine for someone like her who 'hasn't got a scoobys' but wants to 'improve flexibility.' Shocking moment chaos erupts in Aldi store as shoppers fight over viral £150 Pilates machine She said she was 'happy' with her purchase as it has 'all the basic features' and is 'definitely value for money', with the machine setting her back £149.99. Some shoppers who missed out in their store were left fuming to spot the machines being resold for £500 on eBay - and others got in fights to secure one in store. However, Toni was honest about the pros and cons of her new workout device. One of the negatives was that she nearly trapped her fingers three times while adjusting the resistance. 6 6 She also didn't love the strap length adjusters, calling them 'annoying' as you have to one at a time and one of hers was 'slightly longer than the other.' She was also concerned about the quality of the material, saying she thought 'wear and tears would be visible after a while.' She added: 'The fabric isn't the best (you're getting what you paid for I suppose, it's doing the job.' However, she liked the 'comfortable straps', the fact it was 'easy to assemble' and that the foot bar is 'extremely sturdy.' She also praised the length for her being 5ft 7, but said if you are really tall you may struggle. 6 Overall, she was happy with her purchase but advised that if you are a serious pilates girl that you save for a better alternative. With the original reformer pilates machine costing £1899.99, it is no wonder that shoppers raced to buy Aldi's £149.99 version last weekend. Aldi's purse-friendly machine arrived in stores a week ago and has adaptable resistance levels with five resistance bands and adjustable height settings. As with all Aldi Specialbuys, once they're gone, they're gone, so head to stores quickly if you want to grab them. The 5 best exercises to lose weight By Lucy Gornall, personal trainer and health journalist EXERCISE can be intimidating and hard to devote yourself to. So how do you find the right workout for you? As a PT and fitness journalist, I've tried everything. I've taken part in endless fitness competitions, marathons and I maintain a regime of runs, strength training and Pilates. Fitness is so entrenched in my life, I stick to it even at Christmas! The key is finding an activity you love that can become a habit. My top five forms of exercise, especially if you're trying to lose weight, are: Walking Running Pilates High-intensity interval training (HIIT) Strength training
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Pilates instructors reveal their safety fears over 'flimsy' Aldi reformer bed
Some of the UK's top personal trainers have revealed why they have safety fears over Aldi 's reformer Pilates beds. The budget supermarket caused a frenzy by putting the piece of gym equipment - which usually costs upwards of £2,000 - on sale for less than £150 - at stores across the UK this weekend. Queues of fitness enthusiasts queued up to get their hands on a bed- with fights even breaking out in the middle aisle of some stores. Since, hundreds of people have taken to TikTok to share their thoughts on the budget bed - with people praising it's price but saying it's smaller and less durable than more expensive models. However, some of the UK's leading Pilates instructors have shared their fears over the bed, urging people to make sure they have proper instruction before using it. Aimee Victoria Long, one of London 's top personal trainers, said that the bed has it's pros - including the low price point. 'It's significantly less expensive than premium reformers, making it accessible for beginners or those on a budget,' she told Femail. 'However, the bed is lower quality and perhaps not as durable as high-end reformers. 'Users have reported that the machine can feel 'slightly wobbly' during vigorous movements, and the resistance bands may lack the smoothness of traditional springs, she added. 'Also I assume the strength of these bands doesn't match that of springs'. Aimee, who teaches Pilates, barre, strength & conditioning, and functional training to various celebrity clients also said that the bed is a struggle for taller user. 'The reformer's size may not comfortably accommodate users taller than 5'9', potentially limiting the range of exercises - however, the machine folds for easy storage and includes transport wheels, ideal for home use in limited space. 'The bed's features are also adjustable and claim to cater for anyone up to 6ft 3in.' A huge difference with the bed and a typical Pilates bed is that it uses rubber bands rather than springs. 'The use of rubber resistance bands instead of metal springs may affect the machine's longevity and resistance consistency over time,' she added. Aimee also added that it's 'beginner friendly' so great for people starting their Pilates journey - however, this can mean people aren't doing the exercises correctly. Sophie Hatton, a Classical Pilates expert and founder of Pilates Works & Reformer Retreats added there may be safety concerns over the new model. 'Pilates is undeniably having a moment - but not all reformers are created equal. 'There's a vast difference between Reformer-inspired fitness and true classical Pilates, as Joseph Pilates intended,' she told Femail. 'At professional Pilates studios, reformer equipment is engineered for precision - solid, heavy and designed to support the integrity of the practice. 'The new Aldi model may be budget-friendly, but its lightweight frame and elastic bands in place of spring resistance raise immediate concerns around safety, effectiveness, and durability. 'Without proper resistance, stability or instruction from a fully trained teacher you're not doing Pilates - you're just pulling on bands.' 'To become a Classical teacher takes over 100 hours of in-studio education and more than 650 hours of self-practice, observation and rigorous testing. 'This is a profession rooted in depth, not a passing fitness trend. 'Authentic Pilates strengthens where you're weak, improves alignment and restores balance - it's a transformative method, not just a workout. 'Whether joining a studio or working online, choose your equipment and teacher wisely. It makes all the difference.' Cara Farrell, a reformer Pilates instructor based in Leeds, added that 'It's great to see reformer Pilates becoming more accessible '. 'Aldi's price point makes it possible for people to practice at home who might not afford regular studio classes'. 'It's also a handy option for newly qualified instructors wanting to refine their teaching. 'That said, reformer Pilates is a technical practice. 'Instructors go through extensive training to learn anatomy, safety, and how to correct form, these are things that are hard to self-teach at home. 'Without that knowledge, using a reformer can be risky. 'The Aldi reformer bed looks neat, but the carriage movement and spring system seem a little flimsy, not as smooth or sturdy as professional models. 'I'd also be concerned about the stability of the legs during use. 'If you're thinking about buying one, make sure you've had proper reformer experience first, ideally with a trained instructor. 'Do your research, watch tutorials, and always double-check the setup for safety. It's a great option if you know what you're doing, but not something to jump into without experience. Rebecca Dadoun, Pilates instructor & founder of Pilates Prescription echoed the safety concerns of other instructors. 'As much as I want Pilates to be accessible to everyone for recovery, strength, and mental clarity I do have real safety concerns when it comes to budget Reformers like the Aldi one,' she said. 'Tick points are that an at home reformer makes reformer Pilates more accessible, it's compact and home friendly and may encourage more movement but these machines aren't built to the same standards as studio Reformers (as per the reviews), and without professional supervision, the risk of injury is higher especially for beginners or anyone already managing pain or postnatal recovery. 'I've had many clients come to me already injured from large group 'Reformer' classes, so the idea of people using even less stable equipment at home, with no guidance, is worrying. 'This isn't about gatekeeping movement it's about moving safely. 'Even the springs on these machines are essentially resistance bands they're not the same as a studio spring. 'If one of those flings off mid exercise, I'd be seriously concerned about the outcome. 'Movement should support your body, not put it at risk. 'And sometimes, the simplest starting point like mat Pilates with props is actually the smartest and safest.' Reformer Pilates has seen a substantial boom in the recent years with many enjoying the strengthening and body sculpting benefits of the low impact form of exercise that uses spring-loaded equipment for resistance. CORE LDN , a London-based studio fusing physio with Pilates methods, saw their class visits almost double in 2024 and there's no sign of this slowing. In recent month there has been a +600 per cent increase in Google searches for Reformer Class Passes. Core LDN founder, physiotherapist and pilates expert Claire Mills predicts: I don't see an appetite for Reformer waning as clients are drawn to its sustainable approach to fitness, and this trend will likely grow as more people prioritise joint-friendly, mindfulness-oriented workouts. 'Ensuring that sessions are led by knowledgeable instructors and tailored to individual needs will remain essential in retaining client loyalty.' Claire's advice for beginners? 'I'd recommend reformer beginners start with a 1:1 or a beginners specific class to learn the above foundations and how to implement these on the reformer which is adds in spring resistance and movement. 'In my opinion, you can end up cheating on the reformer if you have not learnt the fundamentals and your global muscle system can become dominant of the postural muscle system that we're aiming to target with Pilates.' German nurse Joseph Pilates developed Contrology - which eventually became Pilates - in 1946 during the First World War as a method to continue his strength training while a prisoner of War in the Isle of Man. Fast forward almost 80 years and the exercise is no longer one motivated by necessity - but rather it's a high-end, luxurious workout frequented by A-listers who pay premium prices at dedicated Reformer Pilates studios. The exercise, loved by Meghan Markle and Jennifer Aniston, costs around £35 for a 45-minute class and is surging in popularity in the UK. As most studios recommend training at least three times a week to see any real benefit, people can quickly see themselves spending hundreds a month on the habit. How to ensure Reformer Pilates is safe, according to Claire Mills, founder of Core LDN Ensure the credentials of studios and instructors. The instructors should be tailoring the exercises to the class ability and explaining each exercise, including flagging anything that could feel unsteady. Bodyweight has an impact on spring selection for some exercises, so a 6ft guy is likely to not be on the same a spring as a 5ft lady because their abilities are likely to be different, and so the instructor should give spring options accordingly. Check the foot bar is correctly in when using. Due to the nature of the way the springs work and the carriage moves you can take muscles towards the end of their range, and this needs to be done slowly with control. As a physiotherapist I would always explain this to clients to ensure they work within a safe range for them. It's worth noting that if you are then asked to add extra resistance I.e. weights this should always be optional as overloading muscles will cause strains & injuries. Upkeep of the studio and maintenance of the reformers is crucial, they should be checked and serviced regularly particularly the springs to ensure they are safe to use. The class size should not be too big (so the instructor can see all clients), with good lighting and potentially mirrors to help with position.
BBC News
09-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Why Popes dey change dia names and wetin di names mean?
Dem don elect Cardinal Robert Prevost as di new pope and e go dey known as Pope Leo XIV. Di 69-year-old na di first American to become pontiff and e go lead members of di Catholic Church global community of 1.4bn pipo. Born in Chicago, many pipo see am reformer. E work for many years as missionary for Peru bifor dem make am archbishop for there. E also get Peruvian nationality and pipo remember am well as one pesin wey work wit marginalised communities and help build bridges for di local Church. Why popes dey choose different names? Di first tin new Pope dey do, immediately afta e accept im canonical election as Supreme Pontiff and bifor e begin do oda things, na to choose a name. Afta e choose di name e wan dey known as, di Cardinal Protodeacon go announce di name afta di famous formula "Habemus Papam", e go dey followed by di Pope baptismal name for Latin. Di decision na part of one longstanding tradition, but no be so e be bifor. For more dan 500 years, popes bin dey use dia own names. E later change to to symbolic names in order to make dia original names dey simple or to refer to previous pontiffs. Ova di years, popes don choose di names of dia immediate or distant predecessors out of respect or admiration and to signal di desire to follow for dia footsteps and continue di most relevant pontificates. For example, Pope Francis tok say im name na to honour St Francis of Assisi, plus say im dey inspired by im Brazilian friend Cardinal Claudio Hummes. Why di new Pope choose Leo XIV as a name? Di new Pope neva tok why e wan dey known as Pope Leo XIV. Many reasons fit dey for dis decision, but many popes don use di name Leo ova di years. However, di name a new pope choose dey "show certain spirit and direction and vision of di new pope, "Dennis Doyle, one theologian and professor emeritus of religious studies for di University of Dayton tok. "Di first tin you go look for go be, which pope don use dat name bifor?" e tok." Dat go signify sometin about di direction wey di new pope wan take." Dem don chose di name Leo 13 times bifor. Di first Pope Leo I, wey also dey known as St Leo di Great, na pontiff between 440 and 461 AD. E be di 45th pope in history and e dey known for im commitment to peace. According to legend, di miraculous apparition of Saints Peter and Paul during di meeting between Pope Leo I and Attila di king of di Huns for 452 AD make di king stop to dey attack Italy. Who be Leo XIII? Di last pope to choose di name Leo na Pope Leo XIII, one Italian wey im baptismal name na Vincenzo Gioacchino Pecci. Dem elect am for 1878, e be di 256th occupant of di throne of St Peter and e lead di Catholic Church until im death for 1903. E dey remembered as a pope wey dey dedicated to social policies and social justice. E dey particularly known for issuing encyclical - one letter e send to bishops of di Church – called "Rerum Novarum", one Latin expression wey mean "Of New Things". Di encyclical bin include topics like workers' rights and social justice. Wetin be di most popular papal names? Leo dey among some of di most popular papal names. Di one wey dem use di most na John, dem first choose am for 523 by Saint John I, Pope and martyr. Di last pope wey choose dis name na Italian Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, e dey elected as Pope John XXIII for 1958, wey Pope Francis declare as saint for 2014.
