Hi everyone! Kim here, instructor and all things admin at PPF ½ I'm here to break down what reformer pilates is!
Reformer Pilates is Pilates on the reformer! The reformer was invented by Joseph Pilates, originally out of a prison hospital bed, which is why it looks a little like a bed. There is a combination of springs and pulleys to create resistance as the carriage moves forward and back within the frame.
While both mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates target the core, Reformer Pilates can also work to strengthen the entire body by adding resistance and creating variety. There are so many different exercises that can be performed on the reformer.
Apart from variety, Reformer Pilates can make Pilates more accessible to those who have difficulty with floor-based exercise if knees and hips make it challenging to get down to the floor. The reformer can also provide additional support as core strength is being developed mat Pilates can be quite challenging as you only have your own body for support. (Side note: if you are looking for easy Pilates, there is no such thing!)
With the reformer, you can be lying on your back, your front, or your side; you can be sitting or kneeling facing towards the front, sides or back of the reformer; you can be standing facing the front, sides or back of the reformer – many clients are amazed at the seemingly endless options! And it is highly unlikely that you will ever do the exact same workout twice.
Reformer Pilates is a form of resistance training using the springs to increase resistance for many exercises including upper body and leg work. And in many ways, the resistance training you can achieve with the reformer can be more functional than traditional resistance training you may have done at the gym using weights. Because instead of targeting just one muscle group, like biceps, reformer Pilates helps to engage the smaller muscle groups often overlooked in a gym setting and helps to balance the body using functional movements.
As there are so many different ways we can use the reformer, we are able to provide an all over body workout that can be performed almost daily as the movements vary. One day you may be standing on the reformer for inner thigh side splits, the next day you may be lying on your back with feet in straps – still working the inner thighs but in a completely different way. Lunges may be performed standing on the floor next to the reformer, standing on the reformer facing the footbar, standing on the reformer facing away from the footbar, or standing on the box next to the reformer. The options are seemingly endless.
The use of matwork props on the reformer machine can also increase the variety even more – let’s add in some Pilates Ring exercises to get those inner thighs fired up yet again! Hand weights can increase the intensity of upper body work and can introduce upper body work while we are doing footwork to focus on the quads. The little ball can introduce instability in some moves which require the smaller stabilising muscles to switch on, and can increase the challenge with even the most basic moves.
To conclude, what is Reformer Pilates? A wonderful, low impact form of resistance training that will give you an all over body workout!
New members can try a week of unlimited reformer pilates classes for just $15, by claiming our New Member Offer.
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