Eight years ago I arrived in Portugal heavily pregnant, with years of teaching Reformer Pilates behind me in Sydney, and one very simple wish: to find a Reformer class I could attend.
I couldn't find one. Not in Almancil. Not in Loulé. Not in Vilamoura or Quinta do Lago. The closest option was in Lagos, a 45 minute drive away. And I didn't have a car. So that was a 90 minute train journey, door to door, each way. Heavily pregnant. Not exactly ideal.
Back in Australia, boutique Reformer studios were everywhere. Group classes were just part of how people moved. Coming from that world and landing somewhere with nothing felt genuinely surreal. Portugal is extraordinary in so many ways, but it hadn't discovered the Reformer yet.
So I decided to change that. I set up the first group Reformer Pilates classes in Portugal, right here in Almancil, and I'm still proud of that.
The Early Days
The early days were interesting. Reformer Pilates was still a completely new concept here. Explaining what it was, let alone convincing people to try it, took real patience. There were no Instagram reels to point to, no celebrity endorsements, no local frame of reference. Just me, the equipment, and a genuine belief that once people tried it, they would get it.
And slowly, they did. Clients came. They felt the difference. They told their friends. Those friends came. The studio grew not through campaigns or viral moments, but through the oldest form of marketing there is: genuine results, and people who trusted each other enough to share them.
What the Algarve Looks Like Now
The Portugal I arrived in eight years ago and the Portugal of today look very different when it comes to Reformer Pilates. What was once almost impossible to find in the Algarve is now, slowly and meaningfully, becoming part of the wellness landscape here. New studios have opened. The method has found its audience.
I love it. Genuinely. The more people who discover the Reformer, the better, because once you try it, you get it. And the conversation has shifted from "what is a Reformer?" to "which studio should I go to?" That is a shift worth celebrating.
This is exactly what happened in Australia a decade before it happened here. Portugal is at the beginning of something exciting, and I feel very lucky to have been here from the start.
What Makes Reformer Pilates Different
Reformer Pilates is not about pushing harder or burning more calories. It is about precision, control, and the kind of deep work that genuinely changes how your body moves and feels over time. The Reformer is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment ever designed. It uses spring resistance to support and challenge the body at the same time, which means it can be adapted for almost anyone. It meets you exactly where you are, and it takes you somewhere better.
Why the Algarve Is Such a Good Fit
The people who live here, and the people who visit, tend to care about how they feel. They come for the beaches, for the golf, for the paddle, and they want a lifestyle that feels good in their body too. And that is exactly what Reformer Pilates gives them.
The expat and international community in Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, and Vilamoura often already know the Reformer. Many have practised in London, Sydney, New York, or Dubai, and they arrive in the Algarve looking for the same quality they left behind.
Why I'll Always Keep Classes Small
One thing I've never wavered on, through all the growth of the past eight years, is keeping classes small. A maximum of eight people is not a limitation. It is the entire point. Every client has a different body, a different history, different needs. In a class of eight, I can watch every person, correct every movement, and make sure what is happening on each Reformer is genuinely effective and safe. In a class of fifteen or twenty, that simply isn't possible. I know, because I taught those sizes of classes in Australia.
Looking Forward
If you've been thinking about trying Reformer Pilates, there has never been a better time. Come and be part of it.
Victoria x
FAQ
Where can I do Reformer Pilates in the Algarve?
Reformer Pilates Algarve is based in Almancil, in the heart of the Algarve, and is easily accessible from Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, Vilamoura, Loulé, and the surrounding areas. It was the first group Reformer Pilates studio in Portugal.
Is Reformer Pilates the same as mat Pilates?
No. Mat Pilates uses your bodyweight on the floor. Reformer Pilates uses a machine with spring resistance that supports and challenges the body at the same time. The Reformer allows for a much wider range of exercises and can be adapted for almost any body or fitness level. Many people find the Reformer more effective and more accessible than mat Pilates, especially as a beginner.
Is Reformer Pilates popular in Portugal?
It is growing quickly. When the first group Reformer classes opened in Almancil eight years ago, almost nobody in the Algarve had heard of it. Today it is one of the most sought-after fitness methods in the region, particularly among the international and expat community in Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, and Vilamoura.
How is Reformer Pilates different from gym workouts?
Reformer Pilates focuses on precision, control, and deep muscular work rather than high-impact or heavy-load training. It builds functional strength, improves posture, increases mobility, and reduces pain without putting stress on the joints. Many people who have been gym regulars for years find that Reformer Pilates reaches muscles and movement patterns that conventional gym training simply does not address.
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