Why Everyone Loves Reformer Pilates
There’s a new star on the fitness landscape and it’s winning converts in the most unlikely of places. So, what’s the great attraction? Let’s lift the lid on Reformer Pilates to find out.
What is Pilates, Anyway?
Pilates is the invention of a German Scotland Yard physical trainer by the name of Joseph Pilates in the 1920s. The exercise program evolved into more than 500 moves designed primarily to strengthen the muscles of the core, shoulders, glutes, and back, as well as improving flexibility.
Pilates differentiates itself from weight training exercises in that it produces lean longer muscles that are less bulky. Traditional Pilates training is done on a mat with no equipment.
How Does Reformer Pilates Differ?
Reformer Pilates can be considered Pilates on steroids. That’s because it takes the traditional mat-based moves and adds resistance to up the intensity and strength building potential.
How? By introducing a piece of equipment that looks like a hybrid single bed mixed with a medieval torture device. It’s called the Pilates Reformer. The machine is made up of a frame and a sliding platform that supports your body. There are also springs to provide resistance to your muscles. The device also features a range of pulleys, straps, and bars to work specific muscle groups.
What’s So Good About It?
Reformer Pilates provides a uniquely challenging workout. It trains your muscles differently to traditional barbell and dumbbell workouts. So, when gym-goers who may have thought that Pilates was ‘an easy workout’ actually experience Reformer Pilates, they are very surprised at how hard it is. That experience and the results people generally achieve makes many of them instant converts!
Here are six reasons that Reformer Pilates is making believers of fitness enthusiasts the world over:
Reformer Pilates provides a fantastic core stabilisation workout. With your core being central to every movement you make, that makes for extremely functional training.
Reformer Pilates allows you to work every muscle group, including many of the smaller muscles of the back, like the teres major, that get missed in the gym.
Reformer Pilates is ideal for rehabilitation because it allows you to exercise through the horizontal plane of motion. This allows you to use a lighter resistance than your bodyweight.
Because it combines static hold under tension with resistance, Reformer Pilates works the muscles uniquely. This helps to build, stretch, strengthen and flex the muscle through its full range of motion.
Because you are working on muscular strength, balancing and breathing at the same time, Reformer Pilates can get you fitter and stronger fast. It can also reshape the body with just three 20-minute sessions per week.
Ready To Reform?
Are you ready to jump on the Reformer Pilates bandwagon yet? We encourage you to experience an Exhale Reformer Pilates class with us… But, be warned; Reformer Pilates will challenge you like nothing you’ve ever experienced - and that challenge may just keep you coming back for more.
