Reformer Pilates from home? Totally doable, and here's how
Reformer Pilates is no joke – and if you've ever glided, pushed, or pulsed your way through a class, you already know. It's the workout that tones your core, sculpts your legs, and gives you that slow burn *and* main character energy. While studio sessions are iconic (and let's be real, extremely Instagrammable), taking your reformer practice home is the ultimate flex.
Whether you're skipping the commute or just want to move on your own time, home reformer Pilates is the way to go – and the good news? You don't need a studio-sized space or celeb trainer to get started.
@theblondelubnanieh
I'm not a trainer so take this with a grain of salt 🧂 ♬ Woman Like You – kryptogram
Here's what you need to live your best reformer life at home:
The Reformer Machine
Whether you're short on space or building a full-on home studio, there are plenty of reformer options to suit your setup. From compact, foldable designs to full-size studio-style machines. We've spotted a few available to purchase in the UAE – so yes, your at-home Pilates era is totally within reach.
Fold Reformer
Click here to purchase.
Pilates Academy Dubai
Click here to purchase.
Ultimate Pilates
Click here to purchase.
The Essentials
Add on accessories like Pilates loop, small weights, resistance bands, Pilates balls, and grip socks. Think of it as your cute workout starter pack – functional *and* aesthetic.
Here are some brands for inspo:
Cyrenne
Bala
The Programs
Download workout apps like Your Reformer or Forma Pilates, or browse YouTube for free routines that range from beginner to burn-your-core-off level. Pro tip: light a candle, throw on your fave set, and vibe.
The best part? No bookings, no pressure – just you, your reformer, and that post-workout glow. ✨
Pilates a home not your thing? Check out these Pilates studio.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Elaia Dubai review: Mediterranean dishes with a fun twist, from burrata to baklava
Mediterranean food has long been synonymous with comforting dishes and fresh ingredients brimming with flavour. At Elaia, which opened in Dubai Marina in May, dishes come from all around the Mediterranean region, featuring classics with a subtle twist to create a delicious blend of familiar and novel flavours. The setting Finding the restaurant can be tricky if you are unfamiliar with the Pier 7 entrance, which is right past Dubai Marina Mall. You can hand over your car to the valet at the get-off point on the buzzing roundabout or park in the mall and walk over from level one instead. From Pier 7, take a second lift up to the fourth floor and, almost instantly, the atmosphere changes to a dimly lit but lively setting. Hit songs from the 2000s play in the background, while Greek mythology-inspired ornaments set the mood. The restaurant has an expansive view of the twinkling Dubai Marina. As the sun sets over the horizon, the water changes colour and the glimmering buildings melt into the skyline, morphing into something reminiscent of a painting. In the dining room, an air of intimacy is palpable thanks to the low-hanging chandeliers, plus warm lamps placed on every table. The vibe Elaia is Greek for olive tree, an integral element of the Mediterranean region, which is also known for its fresh flavours and sharing-style plates. 'We wanted the menu to reflect the sharing concept because Elaia is a social venue; you come here to share,' says Aleix Garcia, founder of Infini Concepts. 'We wanted to create something that was not just a restaurant, but more of a bistro with quality produce and good service,' he says. Strongly influenced by Greek culture and mythology, the restaurant's interior is replete with large painted murals and golden ornaments. 'We wanted to respect Greek mythology with a bit of creativity and a modern touch,' says Garcia, alluding to the murals hand-painted by Maria Kova, who specialises in abstract art. The food, meanwhile, represents the Spanish, Italian and Greek people working at the restaurant. 'We drew a lot of inspiration from what they actually grew up with,' says head chef Etienne Mieny, 42, who adds that he sources fish, olive oil and a range of other produce straight from the Mediterranean region. 'We just looking to create a homey, family-style environment where people can be themselves and spend time with those they love,' he adds. The menu My dining companion and I start our meal with tzatziki (Dh38), a cold yogurt-based dip that comes with cucumber, dill and a drizzle of Italian olive oil, plus warm pita bread on the side. It's well-balanced but, having tried tzatziki in the Aegean, I found this version lacking the anticipated flavour punch of garlic. Fortunately, the prawns saganaki (Dh62) starter meets expectations. The prawns are laid in a tangy, herby tomato sauce with cheese cubes, and are rich in flavour. If, like me, your spice tolerance is high, you might need to add more chilli to this dish. The Italian-inspired Sorrento salad (Dh78) takes the form of a ball of burrata served on a bed of marinated zucchini ribbons drizzled in balsamic vinegar and topped with mustard seeds. The smooth cheese is cut open and garnished with salt and pepper before being served with basil leaves for a melt-in-the-mouth experience. For the mains, the cornfed baby chicken (Dh155) is a highlight. The chicken is grilled and tender to the bite, marinated in a peppery-umami sauce with caramelised mushrooms, all reduced in non-alcoholic red wine. The beautifully plated grilled octopus tentacle (Dh175) is another winner, sitting on a smooth spread of harissa romesco paste, with crispy roasted potatoes and onions and garnished with salsa. The meat is far from chewy, making for a satisfying experience complimented by the creamy but smoky romesco. It's desserts that take the cake. We have light-as-air tiramisu with a coffee-soaked sponge layer (Dh85), creamy Basque cheesecake with tart berry compote (Dh60) and 'modern baklava', with pistachio-cardamom ice cream coated in white chocolate and sandwiched between crunchy honey filo layers (Dh65). Contact information Elaia is open daily from noon to 2am. Reservations can be made by calling 058 978 1000.
The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Timeframe: When Queen Elizabeth bade a fond farewell to the QE2 before it headed to Dubai
This month in 2008, Queen Elizabeth II made a last tour of her namesake cruise liner before its retirement in Dubai to become a floating hotel. The queen, who was 82 at the time, visited the QE2 in the port city of Southampton in the UK, her last tour of the historic ship that she launched 39 years earlier in 1969. Her visit coincided with the 55th anniversary of her accession to the throne after the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952. Dressed in a mauve dress with matching coat and a Philip Somerville hat, the queen was escorted by the last captain of the QE2, Ian McNaught. She also unveiled a painting of the vessel by the artist Robert Lloyd and met four crew members who had served on board when the QE2 was used as a troopship during the Falklands War in 1982. The queen then enjoyed lunch with invited guests. For her farewell meal on the QE2, she was served oak-smoked Scottish salmon with sturgeon caviar followed by medallion of beef tenderloin with dome of bitter chocolate mousse for dessert, the Evening Standard reported. Among the 300 guests who attended the royal send-off was former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. "The QE2 has been a symbol of all that is best about Britain," said Carol Marlow, then managing director of owners Cunard, said at the event. "It is the most famous ship afloat but all things move on and the vessel will now be going to Dubai where it will be admired by generations to come." The QE2 was officially retired from active service on November 11, 2008, when it left Southampton docks and set sail for its final journey to Dubai. Demand was so great for the journey to the UAE that tickets sold out in only 36 minutes. The QE2 was fully booked for its final journey from the US, with about 1,800 passengers paying fares ranging from $25,445 for a duplex grand suite with a veranda, to $2,992 for a single room. Its crew of 1,016 included 107 cooks, four fitness instructors, a DJ and 10 gentlemen hosts. In Dubai, a flotilla of 60 naval vessels and private boats met the 70,000-tonne ship in the Arabian Gulf as she arrived in her new home on November 26, 2008. They were led by My Dubai, a mega yacht owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. An Emirates A380 Airbus and a UK Royal Navy helicopter performed a fly-past in honour of the ship's arrival. However, the QE2's new life as a floating hotel would be delayed by the 2008 financial crisis. On April 18, 2018, a new chapter finally began for the world-famous ship. After more than 1,400 voyages and years of rumours about her fate, she opened her doors to a new generation of guests as a floating hotel at Dubai 's Port Rashid. French multinational Accor took over the management in 2022 and announced large-scale upgrades and renovations. There are now 447 rooms and suites available to book, from entry-level cabins to decadent Royal Suites, which have hosted famous faces such as Joan Collins and the late Nelson Mandela. The QE2's origins and adventures, chronicled in books, photos, uniforms and artefacts, are now preserved in the ship's museum called Travellers' Cove.
The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Money & Me: ‘Raising Dh2 million in funding for my start-up is a milestone'
For Jennifer Cohan Solal, buying a home in Dubai and raising funds for her UAE-based retail start-up are major financial milestones. The French citizen, 37, who lives on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah with her husband and two children, is chief executive and co-founder of Hushday, a premium flash sales platform. The company offers limited-time flash sales from luxury and premium brands in a members-only space for the digital-first generation. In April, it raised more than Dh2 million ($550,000) in pre-seed funding. Launched just this year, Hushday offers members access to sales across fashion, beauty, accessories, electronics, home and leisure products. The company is already considering plans to grow beyond the UAE and expand operations into Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait. 'We're not here to patch a post-Covid inventory issue. We're here to open a new, scalable path for growth for brands who want to reach a younger, price-sensitive, digital audience,' says Ms Solal, who has lived in Dubai for more than two years. 'We found our paradise here as entrepreneurs. There's something very inspiring about the UAE's pace, vision and ambition. It's the best choice we've ever made.' Before moving to the Emirates, Ms Solal worked in fashion and e-commerce sectors for more than 12 years and studied marketing at a French business school. Did wealth feature in your childhood? What did you learn from it? I grew up in a fairly privileged environment. Both my parents were doctors, but nothing was handed to them. They arrived in France from Algeria with nothing, and built their lives through hard work and education. That influenced me the most, seeing first-hand how much it takes to succeed and how deeply independence and resilience are rooted in our family culture. So even though we never lacked anything, my parents always told me to be careful and thoughtful about money, and above all, to rely on myself. That mix of stability and drive has shaped every decision I've made. How did you first earn? My first job was with a start-up when I was 18. I launched a luxury concierge service company in Paris by procuration for a woman who had an amazing idea, but no time to execute it. So, I did everything from A to Z for her and gained more recognition and experience than money. I enjoyed the feeling of autonomy, the sense that if I wanted something, I had the power to go out and make it happen. My first real job was with The Other Store, and my job was to create and manage e-commerce websites for brands. I was 20 years old and got paid €1,000 ($1,154) a month. Any early financial jolts? The biggest financial setback was when I left the corporate world to launch my first start-up, L'Ultime, in Paris. I call it the first digital native vertical brand in pastry. Although the brand gained strong visibility in France, the media attention was incredible and the revenue looked exciting, I quickly learnt the difference between revenue and profit and between brand hype and sustainable growth. So, it was humbling, but also an incredible experience. I met a lot of inspiring people and understood the deeper mechanics of running a business. It made me a stronger and responsible entrepreneur. How do you grow your wealth? I'm in reinvestment mode, so I pour most of my capital into building a long-term vision for Hushday. I have also invested in Dubai real estate. My husband and I purchased a villa on Palm Jumeirah two years ago. We also have property investments in France. Are you a spender or a saver? I'm more of a spender now, but spend consciously. I invest in my business, in quality experiences with my family and in our lifestyle. But I aspire to become more of a saver in the years to come because I want to build a legacy and create a financial foundation that brings freedom, not stress. Have you been wise with money? Yes, I've always been careful with money. I don't take reckless risks such as big spending sprees or flashy purchases, apart from the occasional luxuries I need during sales or beautiful family trips. I've never lived beyond my means. I was raised to be intentional with money and that has stayed with me. Even now as I build my company, I make sure that every dirham I spend serves a purpose and receives a return on investment. What has been your best investment? My best investment was on my own education and self-development, in my children's education and in Dubai. We love this city and feel aligned with its energy and ambition. We are committed to creating something meaningful here for our family and the ecosystem. Any cherished purchases? Yes, everything in our home is a cherished purchase. All items, from the furniture to the decorations, have been chosen with intention. I spent a lot of time and energy to build our home. I love the feeling when people walk in and say it doesn't feel like a house, but a home. Every morning, my husband and I almost cry when we wake up and see the sun and sea in front of us. How do you feel about money? Money is just a consequence, it's not a goal. It gives you freedom, but it doesn't define success. For me, what matters most is creating an impact, leaving a mark and building something lasting. Being the richest person in the cemetery never interested me. I want to do something that lives beyond me and make my children and family proud. Any financial advice for your younger self? Start saving earlier, not out of fear, but to gain freedom. Understand that money buys you time, leverage and peace of mind. Use it to invest in skills, ideas and people who elevate you. Never confuse visibility with value. Also understand that growth is quiet, but compounding is magic. Any key financial milestones? Raising our first round of funding for Hushday was huge, not just because of the capital but the confidence it signalled from people who believe in our vision. Another milestone was buying our home in Dubai before we moved here from Paris. It was a statement of trust in ourselves, in our family and in the life we're choosing to build here. What luxuries are important to you? Spending quality time with family and friends, discovering new places and getting lost in different cultures. When we will eventually be free from work, my husband and I plan to do a world tour. So, it's not always about price, but about the richness of experience and emotions. What are your financial goals? Financial independence is non-negotiable. But right now, my main focus is on creating value and building Hushday into the future leader of premium private sales in the Gulf region. I want to create strong returns for investors and build a brand that resonates across borders.
