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Les Mills Pilates Creative Lead Summer Bradley says she is trying to build fitness for the long term, combining Pilates and dance with strength training, running and recovery. In a Fit&Well Workout Diaries interview, she also recommended starting with a class and focusing on showing up; Les Mills Reformer classes are rolling out at clubs in the US and UK.
Les Mills Pilates Creative Lead and presenter Summer Bradley has described how she is combining dance, Pilates, strength work and running as part of an approach to fitness she sees as a long-term commitment. In an interview with Fit&Well, the 26-year-old also encouraged people new to exercise to start by attending a class, saying the initial goal can simply be to show up.
Bradley told Fit&Well she wants to be a “well-rounded and functional” person and views fitness as “a long game.” She said she is inspired by experienced Les Mills colleagues Kylie Gates and Glen Ostergaard, whom she described as remaining fit and healthy later in life. Bradley said she sees consistency in their routines and mindset as part of what has supported their longevity in the fitness industry.
Her typical week includes teaching four classes: mat Pilates, two Reformer Pilates classes and Body Pump. She also tests or teaches other workouts, including dance, and takes three strength sessions each week with personal trainer Clementine Hutchison, whom she has worked with for three or four years. Bradley runs twice weekly, usually completing two 5-kilometre runs, and schedules mobility work and stretching.
The routine is not limited to her established disciplines. Bradley recently entered a series of HYROX races, which prompted her to take up running despite previously saying she hated it. She said beginning with small steps and accepting that she might initially perform poorly helped her learn the new activity. Her weekly schedule also includes ballet, at-home mobility work and a Sunday rest day, sometimes with a walk for active recovery.
A Routine Built Beyond Pilates
Bradley’s account offers a practical example of how one fitness professional balances the activities required for her work with training outside her main specialties. Her schedule combines skill-based classes, strength work, cardiovascular exercise and recovery rather than relying on one type of workout. The interview describes her personal routine; it does not establish that the same schedule is suitable for everyone.
Her advice for beginners centers on lowering the threshold for getting started. Bradley said a class can take away the need to plan a workout independently, leaving the participant to focus on attending. She described giving herself permission to leave if she changes her mind, while saying that she rarely does once she has arrived. That framing may be useful to readers who find motivation or unfamiliar gym environments a barrier, though individual preferences and physical needs vary.
Bradley also connected her experience as a beginner runner with the people she teaches. She said struggling with a new discipline helped her understand how newcomers might feel in Pilates classes. The point is not that early difficulty guarantees progress, but that her own experience has made her more aware of the learning process involved in unfamiliar exercise.
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From Dance to HYROX Training
Bradley is an experienced ballet dancer, a qualified dance instructor and a co-creator of Les Mills’ new Reformer concept, according to the Fit&Well report. Pilates and dance remain central to her work, but she said she believes a balanced routine needs “a little bit of everything.” Her decision to try running followed that principle and was tied to preparing for HYROX races.
In the interview, Bradley described starting with running as an exercise she had long avoided. She said being willing to do it badly at first helped her accept the gradual process of learning. That experience also informed her message to people who are new to fitness: discomfort with a new movement or activity can be part of learning, rather than a reason to expect immediate competence.
Bradley said Les Mills Reformer classes are designed to break down some of the intimidation people may feel about the equipment. The report says the format is rolling out in clubs across the US and UK. It does not list specific locations or give a timetable for the rollout.
“I really see this as a long game.”
— Summer Bradley, speaking to Fit&Well
Race Plans and Rollout Details
The Fit&Well report does not identify the dates or locations of Bradley’s next HYROX races, nor does it say whether she has completed the series she entered. Her training schedule is presented as a typical week, so it may vary as her work and race preparation change.
The report also does not provide a full list of clubs offering Les Mills Reformer or a detailed timetable for the US and UK rollout. Readers would need to check Les Mills’ class listings or contact local clubs for availability. Bradley’s comments describe her own experience and recommendations; they are not individualized exercise guidance for every reader.
More Classes and Race Preparation
Bradley’s near-term focus, as described in the interview, includes continuing her preparation for HYROX racing while maintaining her teaching, strength sessions and runs. The source does not announce a specific upcoming race date or a change to her weekly schedule.
For people interested in trying the Reformer format, availability will depend on the local club as the rollout continues across the US and UK. Bradley’s general suggestion for beginners is to choose a class and make the first step attending; people with injuries or health concerns may wish to seek advice from a qualified professional before starting a new training routine.
Key Questions
Who is Summer Bradley?
Summer Bradley is Les Mills’ Creative Lead for Pilates, a presenter and a co-creator of the brand’s Reformer concept. Fit&Well also describes her as a qualified dance instructor and experienced ballet dancer.
What does Bradley’s typical training week include?
She teaches four classes, completes three strength sessions with a personal trainer and runs twice a week, usually for 5 kilometres. Her week also includes dance, mobility work and a rest day.
Why did Bradley start running?
Bradley said she took up running after signing up for a series of HYROX races. She had previously said she disliked running and described starting small while accepting that she would be a beginner.
What does Bradley recommend to people new to fitness?
She recommends starting by going to a class, where the workout is already planned, and focusing on getting through the door. Her suggestion is based on her own experience, not a personalized training plan.
Where are Les Mills Reformer classes available?
Fit&Well reports that Les Mills Reformer is rolling out in clubs across the US and UK. The report does not provide a complete location list or rollout schedule, so availability should be checked with local clubs.
Source: fitandwell.com
