We expect all new clients to receive a quick run through of the reformer and explanation of how the machine works BEFORE they commence their first class.  This is an essential part of your role as the instructor and must occur with all new clients.  Even in circumstances where they arrive late, start the rest of the class moving in footwork and give them a brief introduction of the names of the different parts and the spring tensions and get them started and moving.

A full reformer run through includes explaining where the carriage, shoulder rests, head rest, hand straps, foot straps, rails, footbar, platform and platform extender are.  It includes explaining that the springs are different tensions, the green spring is worth 2 (heaviest), red spring is worth 1 (medium) and blue is worth 0.5 (lightest). 

Please evaluate how tall the new client is in comparison to you and give them a setting with the gear bar.  The closer to the platform, the shorter the person and the further away from the platform, the taller the person. This changes their workout dramatically as they need to sit in a natural tabletop position when set up correctly and be able to pop their feet down for a reset without reaching for the footbar or having to bring their knees to their chest. An easy way to explain this to the client is to say “if you are on a setting too short for you, you will feel squished up on the carriage and if it's set too tall, you will hear the carriage banging in and out a lot”.

Let them know that the instructor will cue them on the springs with each series and that sometimes lighter can make it either easier or harder depending on the exercise and they will get the hang of it after a few classes.