Pilates Reformer: Benefits and how to use

There is probably no piece of Pilates equipment more famous than the Pilates reformer—and for good reasons. The reformer makes a dramatic impression when you first see one, and an even more dramatic change in your body when you use it.

You will see reformers lined up in Pilates studios as reformer classes are usually one of the main choices offered. What makes the reformer so special? First, take a look at what a reformer is and how it works, then explore the benefits a reformer might have for your body.

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What Is a Pilates Reformer?

The reformer was invented by Pilates founder Joseph Pilates. It is a bed-like frame with a flat platform on it, called the carriage, which rolls back and forth on wheels within the frame. The carriage is attached to one end of the reformer by a set of springs.

The carriage has shoulder blocks on it that keep practitioners from sliding off the end of the reformer as they push or pull the carriage.

At the spring end of the reformer, there is an adjustable bar called a footbar. The footbar can be used by the feet or hands as a practitioner moves the carriage. The reformer also has long straps with handles on them that are attached to the top end of the frame.

They can be pulled with legs or arms to move the carriage as well. Body weight and resistance of the springs are what make the carriage more or less difficult to move. Reformers parts are adjustable for differing body sizes and different levels of skill.

How a Reformer Is Used

A wide variety of exercises are done on the reformer to promote length, strength, flexibility, and balance. Most Pilates reformer exercises have to do with pushing or pulling the carriage or holding the carriage steady during an exercise as it is pulled on by the springs.

One of the best things about the reformer is its versatility. Exercises can be done lying down, sitting, standing, pulling the straps, pushing the footbar, perched on the ​footbar, perched on the shoulder blocks, with additional equipment, upside down, sideways, and all kinds of variations.

Benefits

The reformer offers all the benefits of Pilates including overall strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance. These things, in turn, lead to daily life improvements like better posture, graceful and efficient movement, and for many, relief from pain associated with physical imbalances such as back pain.

Accesses A Variety of Muscles

The Pilates powerhouse muscles—the muscles of the core—are paramount for building strength. Strong abs, backs, buttocks, and thighs are all results of this emphasis. Other equipment and Pilates mat exercises do that too, but the reformer creates a unique and varied exercise environment.

Works on Flexibility and Strength

The reformer is large enough to accommodate full-range motion, which is wonderful for increasing flexibility while building strength. It seems to invite the length you want to create in the body, and it trains the body to sustain that length.

Offers Resistance and Variety

Pushing and pulling with legs or arms against the resistance of the springs, carriage, and body weight is generally strength building. The exercises provide enough resistance and movement variety to help build strong bones. And there is a special feature—eccentric muscle contractions. This is when a muscle lengthens as it resists a force.

Challenges Balance and Stability

The instability of a rolling carriage with the springs set at different levels of resistance provides all kinds of stability challenges that develop core strength and promote better balance. For example, having less of the body on the carriage is one of the ways Pilates exercises get harder.

It means more body weight has to be supported by the practitioner, and the body and machine have to be controlled even more from the core. Paradoxically, when the springs are in a lighter setting, some exercises are more challenging for the core because it has to work harder to control and stabilize the movement. The stronger the core, the better the balance, posture, and overall well-being.

With us you can find a variety of Pilates reformer trainings and register with the click of a button and without commitment, of course you can also invite a friend to join. join us!