Pilates Equipment: What Makes a Reformer So Special?
Pilates equipment helps condition your body by building flexibility, strength, endurance and coordination. If focuses on your legs, abdomen, arms and back. The most notable piece of equipment for Pilates is the reformer. The reformer is a unique piece of equipment that can make a dramatic change in your body.
In fact, reformer classes are one of the most popular offered at Pilates studios. Because of this popularity, Pilates equipment has found its way into home exercise routines. This article will describe what a reformer is, how it’s used and what benefits users can expect to get.
What is a Reformer?
The reformer is a unique piece Pilates equipment invented by found Joseph Pilates. It’s a bed-like frame with a “carriage” or platform that rolls back and forth on wheels with the frame. Springs attach the carriage to one end of the reformer frame. The springs provide different resistance levels for the carriage.
The user’s body weight, along with spring resistance, makes the carriage easy or difficult to move back and forth. The reformer is adjustable for different body sizes and skill levels.
How is the Reformer Used?
Pilates equipment, especially the reformer, is versatile and fairly easy to use. The user can do exercises lying down, sitting, standing, pulling the reformer’s straps, pushing the reformer’s footbar, balanced on the shoulder blocks and more. The reformer trains and conditions numerous parts of the user’s body with just one piece of Pilates equipment.
Most exercises done on a reformer involve pushing or pulling the carriage or holding the carriage steady during an exercise as it is pulled on by the springs. Numerous exercises can be done on a reformer and can be geared to the beginner or advanced user. These exercises promote strength, flexibility and balance.
The Benefits of Pilates Equipment
With the reformer, users get all the well-known benefits of the Pilates program. These benefits translate to life improvements such as better posture, gracefulness, efficient body movement and pain relief. For example, using Pilates equipment such as the reformer, users who suffer from back pain and other physical imbalances can find relief from many of the exercises, especially the ones that promote strength.
Strength building as a result of using the reformer impacts the core muscles, including flat abs, strong backs, toned buttocks and thighs. The stronger the core muscles, the better the user’s balance, posture and overall well being. Although other equipment can achieve these results, the reformer provides a varied exercise environment.
At the same time it’s building strength, the reformer accommodates a full-range of motion to increase flexibility. The resistance provide by the reformer helps build strong bones and trains the body to sustain length. Pilates is known for achieving long, strong muscles instead of bulk.
Pilates equipment, especially the reformer, is available to anyone at any fitness level. With maximum adjustability, the reformer exercises can be as difficult as the user is able to manage.
For interest users, the best way to start with Pilates equipment is to visit a class or talk to an expert. If you learn some exercises and understand the basics of the Pilates program, you might want to consider buying a reformer for your home. Home equipment provides the end results with unmatched exercise convenience.
Bob Lachniet is the owner of Fitness4HomeOnline.com, a leading online fitness equipment dealer specializing in treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, home gyms and more. Find the best Pilates Equipment – visit http://www.fitness4homeonline.com/ today.
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