Pilates Machine - The Reformer!

He developed a whole repetoire of exercises on this piece of equipment to work towards a more pain-free and balanced body.

The Pilates Reformer does just what it says; it Reforms your body!

The concept behind the reformer developed by Joseph Pilates is used to rehabilitate injuries, as well as realign our bodies to its natural and proper form. He wanted us all to experience a pain-free and balanced body.

The look of the Reformer has changed over the years from its original form of using a bed and springs. It now looks sleeker and works more efficiently.

The history of Pilates exercise equipment is very similar to today’s Reformer.

Joseph utilized the springs off of beds while he rehabilitated wounded soldiers in an internment camp during WWI.

He was so successful with his Pilates machine in rehabilitating soldiers that the German’s wanted to hire him to do this work permanently with the injured.

He instead emigrated to the United States and utilized his expertise in rehabilitating dancers in New York City.

The Pilates Machine; the Reformer of today has a sliding carriage and uses spring tension that you can load or unload to modify or vary your exercises.

The machine also has hand and foot straps to perform upper and lower body stretches and strength work.

The Reformer helps to improve your core strength and, in turn your posture.

While stabilizing your core on this machine, you can then begin to strengthen your arms and legs with exercises that are joint friendly and very effective at isolating and using the muscles the way they were intended.

The Exercises Can be performed on this Pilates Machine in many positions

FOOTWORK:

Footwork on the Pilates Reformer is done in the lying position and can assist in strengthening the ankles and feet as well as the various muscle groups throughout the legs. You do this by adjusting the spring tension and pushing off the foot-bar with your toes and feet in varying positions.

ARM STRAP SERIES:

These exercises can be done lying on the Refomer, or from a sitting position on the reformer. Placing the straps in your hands and sitting tall with a stable core you can do the exercises by pushing or pulling on the straps facing forward or backward.

The different positions work to strengthen your back, shoulders, and arms with a stable scapula.

KNEELING SERIES:

Kneeling on the reformer with your hands on the foot-bar and feet against the shoulder pads you can work on your shoulder stability as well as, a strong stable core.

Most of these exercises focus on a wide stable scapula, hinging at the shoulders and sliding the carriage back with either a neutral or flexed spine.There are hundreds of different exercises you can do on the Reformer.

Every workout is different and is always challenging you to concentrate and focus inward on what muscles are working and how you are feeling.

The difference, then, between the Reformer workout and more traditional types of exercise is that you are stretching and strengthening all your muscles at the same time.

You are controlling the movements with your mind, always conscious of what your body is feeling. The instructor is always coaching you to “sit taller” or “drop your shoulders”, always looking for better posture and form.

I find my workouts on the Reformer to be much more efficient and energizing than any type of exercise I have done before.

As a fitness professional I have tried everything and that’s why I am writing about and promoting Pilates. I have more happy and satisfied customers than any other form of exercise I have ever taught or promoted in the past.

For just a fraction of the cost of an individual lesson you will get over 40 pictures and detailed descriptions of the exercises, as well as progressive levels from beginner to advanced.

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