We know that you are all probably missing the Reformer, however we hope that you are embracing Matwork for the awesome benefits only mat can deliver. Definitely not the poorer cousin to reformer, in many respects matwork can offer a more challenging workout. More importantly, provide an opportunity to perfect your form and technique without the support of the reformer.
If you are new to Pilates, here's a quick explanation of both:
Matwork: Pilates exercises performed on the floor/mat using mainly bodyweight for resistance. Props can be used to add variety, create additional resistance and increase the complexity.
Reformer: The Pilates reformer is an apparatus consisting of a narrow bed with a sliding carriage attached to springs and pulleys to provide additional resistance or support.
Yes we agree that there are some exercises that work best on the reformer – footwork on the footbar with heavy springs for quads for example. But quite often the reformer springs and straps are used more for support, while in matwork, you alone are responsible for holding your own body weight. Compare double leg lowers on the reformer with your feet in straps, you are pressing against the resistance of the springs working your hamstrings, while the springs and straps then help your legs rise back up to the ceiling. This move feels so nice and stretchy, it hardly feels like a workout. In matwork, the same exercise requires extreme abdominal strength and control as you carefully lower your legs straight down to the floor without arching your back, and slowly carefully using your core and hip flexors to rise your legs back up.
Take another hands in straps abdominal work. Quite often we will encourage you to increase your springs for an extra challenge however the heavier springs provide an extra challenge for your shoulders, not your core. Maybe you've even forgotten about your core as your arms and shoulders work through the additional resistance, but there is no forgetting about your core in matwork!
In matwork, there is no distraction from the reformer so you are really encouraged to focus on your form and technique, the muscle activation, the areas where the body subconsciously tries to cheat to make the moves less intense. In fact, taking things back to basics for a period will undoubtedly improve your form and technique when you return back to reformer sessions. The advanced matwork classes on offer will provide a more challenging workout than any reformer class, as you are holding your own body weight for the entire class.
If you want to get even more out of your mat Pilates class, grab yourself some Pilates props to liven up your matwork sessions. Resistance bands can help to replicate many of the reformer upper body exercises, and loop bands can spice up your clams (if you really need your clams to be harder!!) The resistance bands can also enable your favourite feet in straps exercises to be performed on the mat – little frog, double leg lowers, leg circles all work really well with the resistance bands. Most of you already know the joys of the pilates ring for inner thigh work but we have other ways of using the circle to bring joy in a matwork class.
Learn more about our mat pilates and reformer pilates classes in Brisbane.
