subject: What Is Pilates Reformer? [print this page] Pilates Reformer is one of the most commonly used Pilates equipment. The Pilates Reformer is used by both men and women, regardless of age, to perform Pilates exercises. The Pilates Reformer has movable straps to create variable resistance to help you to develop good alignment, flexibility and core strength. There are pulleys that allow variable angles of resistance when you pull the ropes in different directions. This gradual resistance ensures that your muscles are being worked on with less stress on joints and ligaments. The Pilates Reformer also has a sliding carriage that is attached to the springs at one end. The Pilates Reformer carriage slides up and down when you pull the ropes or push away from a stationary foot bar. The curved head and shoulder pads allow you to stabilize your whole body while performing Pilates Reformer exercises. The Pilates Reformer also comes with other accessories such as the Pilates box and wooden pole to provide more variations of Pilates exercises.
The Pilates Reformer is the most widely used Pilates equipment because it is able to assist you through a wide range of Pilates exercises in different positions be it lying down, sitting, standing and kneeling. This larger resistance equipment places more emphasis on your outer limbs to add variety and intensity to your Pilates workout. We know that it may be hard for a Pilates beginner to grasp the understanding of various muscle engagements during a Pilates Matwork routine. Hence for the beginners, the Pilates Reformer springs actually provide assistance instead of resistance so that you can learn to engage your muscles better. For those who have experience with Pilates, the resistances from the springs of a Pilates Reformer will intensify the workout and provide more challenge to tone up muscles more effectively compared to Pilates Matwork.
The other areas where Pilates Reformer may be a better option compared to Pilates Matwork is when you have severe muscle imbalances. The Pilates Reformer will even out muscle imbalances effectively since you can work out on one side of the body while maintaining neutral position on the other side with the help of the straps and springs. For the special population who may suffer from various injuries, Pilates Reformer is a better choice since all Pilates workout performed on the Pilates Reformer has no impact on the joints. For sportsmen, Pilates exercises performed on the Pilates Reformer can mimic your sporting movements and thereby strengthening the required muscle groups to enhance your athletic performance in various sporting activities. Women in their initial stage of pregnancy may also engage in Pilates Reformer exercises under the guidance of a trained instructor.
The Pilates Reformer exercises for pregnant woman will be modified as the pregnancy progress since the demand on the abdominal muscles will be reduced overtime. The Pilates Reformer adds on hundreds of Pilates exercises and variations compared to the Pilates Matwork; all of which can be modified to fit individual needs and conditions. If you have enjoyed Pilates, then you will be pleasantly surprised by the new challenge that Pilates Reformer provides. Do visit a Pilates Reformer Studio today and get consultation from a trained Pilates instructor to create your new Pilates Reformer exercise routine.
