Reformer has been on the rise for the last few years, with many seeing the benefits. What was originally created by John Pilate to help with muscle and body pain has now changed into an helping to tone and strengthen the body.

What separates this from cardio, and the gym is that it's low impact. This means that even though you may not break a massive sweat, or be out of breath, you’re still getting a. Whether it's mat or reformer training, taking part in this exercise over an extensive period of time will help with flexibility and strengthen even the smallest muscles that can get missed when training in the gym.

With thousands of people taking to social media to show how the exercise has improved and changed their body over a period of months, many are signing up and paying an extortionate amount to hope that it will get them their desired physique.

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With celebrities like Lori Harvey, , and many more hyping up what was used for a way of recovery, the demand has been higher than ever.

Pilates instructor and expert of 20 years Hernan Castro-Vidal, who runs in Oval, London, is glad to see a rise in interest for Pilates, given how incredible it can be for your body and fitness levels. "I think the surge has to do with word of mouth and how amazing Pilates is for pretty much everything but also with our jobs and how people do injure themselves with work sometimes, our posture from sitting down at work and people have to go to learn how to use your body more,” the 47-year-old said.

He added: “I’m one of the few people who got into Pilates for the fun of it, but it used to be for an issue for your body and rehab. Pilates is used as a workout, understanding your body, aligning your body and understanding how you move. I see younger people going also, I have clients who are teenagers that come with their parents, so they’ve already started the exercise."

Castro-Vidal explains that Pilates can be a form of exercise you do alongside other activities and has clients who run, cycle and play sports alongside a Pilates class. Despite being a "complementary" exercise in your fitness routine, there's a common misconception around Pilates and how "easy" it may seem.

“Pilates looks easy but it's hard," Castro-Vidal says. "You’re using springs instead of weights and the further away you pull on the reformer spring the more tension there is."

All in all, Pilates is a holistic practice but, as Castro-Vidal insists, "abs are made in the kitchen". He says: "With Pilates, I would say it’s 75% what you eat, not just the exercise alone. If you’re someone who works out once a week, make sure you're also focusing on your nutrition to help with our weight goals."