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When practiced regularly, Reformer Pilates promises greater flexibility, strength and stamina – and yes, everybody can do it. Many of the reformer exercises are simply mat Pilates exercises that use the machine to either make the exercise more challenging or make it easier. This is the beauty of the reformer – it can help intensify exercises by increasing resistance, but it can also ease exercises by providing support through resistance. All the exercises can be progressed and regressed to the individual being taught. This will enable you to be challenged, thus strengthening you in multiple ways in all areas of the body, helping you to achieve your fitness goals. Exercises on the reformer often involve lying down, sitting, kneeling, or standing on the carriage while using the springs for resistance. The adjustable springs allow for customised resistance levels, this means that the intensity can be varied considerably from one person to the next, making it an incredibly versatile piece of equipment to use as a workout or rehab tool. Additionally, the straps and bar provide support and assistance for proper alignment and form. Far from just a workout for your core, Reformer Pilates exercises focus on smooth, flowing movements with an emphasis on breath control and precision. An amazing piece of equipment, like no other, it helps you to find length and space in the body, it helps to elongate the spine, joints and muscles which then leads to greater flexibility, strength, stamina and a more balanced posture. This type of physical and mental workout is even more relevant now due to lifestyle factors such as long working days, being seated for long periods of time, and mental health aspects, to name just a few. Many people are quite scared of the reformer when they first see it as it looks quite intimidating and almost medieval. Put any fears you may have aside because after just one or two workouts on a reformer and you realise that it is the most versatile and effective piece of exercise equipment ever made…plus it’s great fun!
Reformer Pilates can be used as a sport specific cross training tool. Reformer Pilates works on core stabilisation which is vital to any athlete as well as muscle endurance, lactate tolerance, peripheral joint stability, muscle strength, balance, coordination and much more.
Reformer Pilates is great for different rehab stages too. In the early rehab stages, it allows the client to exercise in a horizontal plane of motion and not be vertically loaded and weight bearing through their legs or upper body. For example, if a client has had knee surgery, this horizontal plane enables you to strengthen the muscles of the leg through a larger range of motion using a lighter resistance than their body weight, speeding up their recovery through controlled movement and safely progressing you to the next stage. Likewise it can be used towards end stage rehab of any injury. It is a quality tool to stress and load specific joints or muscles in the body to ensure when you return to play in your specific sport you are ready for it.
