High-intensity and designed for all, the instructor-created Pilates method is now available at Equinox.
Midway through a workout class with Zach Bergfelt, you should be experiencing two, albeit seemingly conflicting, emotions: “I want you to feel included. I also want you to feel slightly scared of me, so that you respect me still,” he jokes. “I always say in class, like, if you're not cursing my name, I'm clearly not doing it right.”
The Equinox group fitness instructor has spent the better part of a decade developing his own movement method — one that’s grounded in contemporary Pilates and infused with strength and athletic elements. Think of it as a reformer workout done entirely on the mat, using gliders, balls, weights, booty bands, and other props to reap the benefits.
Now, Bergfelt is bringing his signature format, aptly called Re-formation Pilates, to Clubs throughout New York City. The launch comes as Bergfelt is named Equinox’s newest Studio Visionary, an accolade that celebrates instructors known for their unique programming.
RELATED: How Pilates Can Change Your Outlook on Fitness
Consider Re-formation Pilates your one-stop shop, says Bergfelt. “I want you to come into class, and depending on the weights and the props that we have there, I want you not to have to do anything after class, unless you want to do a little bit of cardio,” he adds. You might begin with the Pilates series of five (single leg stretch, double leg stretch, single straight leg stretch, double straight leg stretch, criss-cross). Then, you might transition into glider pike-ups, booty-band work, and finally strength moves with heavier weights or other props. Pilates is always the foundation.
You’ll move in all planes of motion and spend ample time finding proper alignment, so you’re feeling fatigue even before you begin your reps. Bergfelt isn’t afraid to offer corrections, either, ensuring you get the most out of each movement. “You leave class and you're, like, not only depleted, but you've worked every single muscle at its fullest capacity,” he says.
It’s intense work. It’s also inclusive. At the heart of Re-formation Pilates is Bergfelt’s motto: All bodies welcome. “I want you to show up and be who you are — not who social media thinks that you need to be for Pilates,” he reiterates.
Participants are twenty-somethings, 70-year-olds, and every age in between. They’re people who are stepping on the mat for the first time or for the thousandth. People who have pain or injuries. Modifications aren’t positioned as “lesser than” or a cop-out — but rather an option or means for more support. (Bergfelt can and will rattle off at least three variations for the movements performed in his classes.) “I'm trying to break that mold and that stigma,” he adds. “You can modify my entire class, and I really don't mind. That's fully OK. As long as you're trying and giving it your all, that's all that I ask from you.”
RELATED: Why Every Body Needs Barre
To keep vibes high and spirits lifted even when he’s pushing participants’ limits, Bergfelt pairs his Re-formation Pilates sessions with pop remixes and EDM mash-ups. Expect dad jokes and sass, too. “I feel like sometimes these workout classes are a little too serious, and I just want it to feel enjoyable for you, because working out is a chore sometimes in itself,” he says. “...I want to create a class that everyone wants to come to.”
Book your first Re-formation Pilates class at Equinox Clubs throughout New York City now.
Photos courtesy of Zach Bergfelt.