Before I get into my full review of Fluid Foam Pilates at home, let me say this – this is my go-to workout and one of the only sweat sessions that I completely stick to. There’s a reason why.
See, I’m not the first fashion editor to try Fluid Foam Pilates at home. Zoe on the Maternity cover Her Anastasiou also tried it and was totally impressed (she was so impressed that she still continues to do Pilates). However, I strongly believe that you should get different opinions on most things in life, especially those that involve parting with money on a regular basis.
Pilates is on a roll right now, with Reformer Studio and Wall Pilates dominating social media feeds. So why choose a Pilates workout? In addition to the fact that Pilates is a perennial favorite with celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Harry Styles, there’s also evidence that Pilates is seriously effective at improving your overall health. There is enough research to prove that. The benefits of Pilates range from improving muscle strength, muscle tone, flexibility, and mental health. muscles, ligaments, tendons Research has confirmed that it also increases abdominal and lumbar-pelvic stability.
I’ve been experimenting with Fluid Form for the past few months and have been thinking a lot about how I train. Keep reading for my honest Fluid Foam Pilates review. While you’re here, don’t miss our Pilates guide for beginners and the best 20-minute Pilates workouts and 30-minute Pilates workouts.
My honest Fluid Foam Pilates review? There’s a reason this is my favorite workout
What is fluid form?
First, let’s provide an overview of Fluidform. It was created in 2012 by instructor Kirsten King, who taught a variety of Pilates-inspired workouts at his studio in Australia.
There are currently seven studios in the country, but what really made FF popular was the at-home workouts it brought to a whole new global audience during lockdown.
Hundreds of workouts are available online, and new workouts are uploaded weekly. And the best part? Search by level (beginner, intermediate, advanced), duration, equipment, activity type (boxing, mat, reformer, relaxation), training type (cardio, etc.), and even the body part you want to train (abs) . ,arm…).
Is Fluid Foam Pilates effective?
In short, yes. I saw results within just a few weeks, but more on that later. In my opinion, the main reason FF workouts are so effective is that even people who don’t have a lot of time or motivation can commit to weekly workouts. I’ve tried many fitness programs over the years, including Kayla Itsines’ Bikini Body Challenge. The problem I found is that it can be time consuming. Needless to say, it is often not possible to do it at home without investing in a lot of equipment. Additionally, I find that once the challenge period (often 12 weeks) is over, I feel a little lost as to what to do to keep it going.
In my opinion, Fluid Form solves all these problems. Workout lengths vary (think 5 to 50 minutes). That means you don’t have to spend a lot of time there. Plus, you don’t need a lot of equipment. Some sessions may not require any equipment. They’re all Pilates-based, but also different enough (some include elements of boxing, barre, and HIIT) that you’ll never get bored. Don’t get me wrong. Just because your workout is short doesn’t mean you’re not getting a good workout. Sometimes I was sweating after just 10 minutes.
My Fluid Foam Pilates review: 2 years later and still my favorite
pregnant
I’ve been doing FF training at home for over two years now, and my body has changed a lot in that time. The most obvious one was the birth of my baby, and for full transparency, I first signed up for workouts in the months leading up to the birth. I’ve always been very active and wanted to maintain my fitness and movement levels during my pregnancy (experts told me both would help with childbirth and recovery). I found the prenatal exercises to be moderately gentle and rigorous. It also has the effect of improving blood flow, which is essential for the health of the mother and baby during pregnancy.
In the end, I don’t know if these trainings specifically helped my daughter’s birth, but I can say that it was a relatively easy, quick and natural birth.
Penny tries out a Fluid Foam Pilates workout at home
(Image credit: Future)
As a postpartum option
Then I switched to postpartum gymnastics. Disclaimer: I wasn’t in a hurry to “lose the baby weight” here, I just felt passionately that everyone should do what they think is right for their body. Personally, my doctor cleared me to exercise at my checkup three weeks later, so I was really eager to get my strength back.
Postpartum exercises are gentle on the body and offer variety for women who have had a C-section or have pulled abdominal muscles. I didn’t give myself any goals and just incorporated my workouts into my baby’s nap time (often just 10-15 minutes). At first she started working out only once a week and added two or three more when she felt ready.
I used to get out of breath when pushing my stroller up hills during walks, but after doing Fluid Foam Pilates at home for a few weeks, I was able to walk up hills with ease. My goal was to do a combination of abdominal and leg training (I didn’t put too much emphasis on my arms because I thought holding the baby would be enough to train them), but after about 2 months, lost the baby weight without concentrating. I could clearly see that my stomach and thighs were becoming toned.
It’s been a year and I think I’m the strongest I’ve ever been, even though I’ve only been training for 15-20 minutes three times a week. That being said, I do think that chasing toddlers can be helpful.
Fluid form before and after
Penny before and after trying Fluid Form
(Image credit: Future)
I didn’t really take before and after pictures because I didn’t want to put pressure on myself to get back to my pre-pregnancy shape, but I scrolled through Google Photos and found an image of me two weeks later. Postpartum photos from early July 2022 (left) and recent photos from December 2024 (right).
That being said, I would like to emphasize that everyone recovers from childbirth differently. Some bodies take longer to regain strength than others, so it’s important to treat yourself kindly. These are simply to illustrate my review.
How much does Fluid Form cost?
At-home Fluid Form costs the equivalent of £10 (A$20) per month and gives you unlimited access to over 300 workouts. When you sign up for a 12-month plan, you’ll also receive a welcome pack of free equipment, including resistance bands, Pilates balls, and discs.
Buy MC UK’s classic workout kits now:
Bare ankle weights and wrist weights
As one MC UK Check out highlights from our staff’s full review of Bala Bangles. We’re big fans of these ankle and wrist weights. It’s easy to use, effective, and will help you take your home training to the next level.
Grippy Pilates socks are great for keeping you from slipping on the floor or training mat during your session. These Sweaty Betty designs will be voted on.
Adanora Ultimate Racer Front Bra
Last but not least, this stylish sweat-wicking bra from Adanola has a longer length so you’ll feel supported even when you sweat.