Gaiam Coreplus Reformer

I love the coreplus reformer. The exercises are just the right amount of difficulty. I can do most of the exercises but not the full amount of reps yet. The only problem I have with the coreplus reformer is that I"m tall (5'10") and some of the exercises feel like I'm stretching the bands farther than they should be stretched. For example, when I put the loops around my feet and hands and stretch my hands over my head!! Whoa!! I've noticed that with a couple of the exercises the women in the video's bands are slack before they stretch, whereas mine is already stretched before I even start the "stretch". Maybe they could make the reformer in different sizes like they do the balance ball. Not everyone is the same size!!

The resistance on the band is very strong and unadjustable making it impossible for me or even for my pilates trainer to do some of the exercises on the dvd. Also the pace of the dvd is rather fast for someone like me who has to pace myself due to a spine injury. That said, it is a useful tool. It made me sweat.

I have been learning Pilates with a private instructor on the reformer and mat for 3 months now and I thought this would be a great way to augment my classes especially when I'm traveling or can't make it to the gym. I was very disappointed with the product. I've tried it half a dozen times to give it a fair shot and find the stiff and cumbersome to use. Also, perhaps different sizes might help for those of us over 5'5"? I'm 6'1" and I cannot achieve the proper form for pilates exercises with this piece of equipment. Sad to say its going back. Its a great idea but just needs more work.

I had been wanting to buy the Core Plus Reformer for some time. When it finally came, certainly the bands themselves are wonderful BUT the instructions on how to use them are inadequate. They're very slow, repetitive and don't add particular value. I'm going to take the bands to a Pilates friend and have her construct useful exercises. That a significant amount of screen time is spent on duplicating a warm up and cool down is dead air and feels like a ripoff.

Love the product and the exercises that were provided but I know a piece of exercise equipment like this is far more versatile and there must be more exercises to go with it. How about a separate book of exercises or a follow up dvd? I was disappointed in the selction of exercises on the video.