The Pilates Reformer is a machine used in Pilates to increase flexibility and build core muscles. It provides targeted resistance and can be used in various positions. The classic design consists of a cart on a wooden platform with springs, pulleys, and ropes. The reformer is useful for beginners and can make mat Pilates easier. It is available in various styles and can be found in Pilates studios. Joseph Pilates invented the exercise method to help wounded soldiers and the equipment is still used by healthcare professionals.
A Pilates reformer is a piece of equipment that can be used in the Pilates exercise method. Pilates moves are designed to increase flexibility and build “power” in the core muscles of the body: the abdomen, lower back, buttocks, and hips. The Pilates Reformer can be used when doing Pilates to provide targeted resistance, allowing for greater precision.
Reformers come in various styles, but the classic design invented by Joseph Pilates, for whom the exercise method is named, consists of a cart on a rectangular wooden platform. The carriage connects to the springs; pulleys and ropes are attached to the frame. A person using the Pilates Reformer uses their own resistance in addition to the resistance provided by the machine’s springs for power toning. Essentially, a reformer looks like a platform bed with resistance wires at the ends.
The Pilates Reformer is useful for performing dozens of Pilates exercises in various positions: lying down or on your side, kneeling or prone. The reformer is especially useful for people just starting out in Pilates because it makes attention to form, an integral part of this method of exercise, much easier. Learning the fundamentals of practicing on the Pilates Reformer can also make mat Pilates, which uses only your body’s resistance, easier to master.
There are several different types of Pilates reformers, ranging in cost from a few hundred US dollars (USD) to several thousand dollars. The kit is available in the traditional wooden frame, but some newer-style versions use metal, leather, and mesh. The cost of the reformer can be prohibitive for home use, but the equipment can be found at Pilates studios. Many Pilates studios offer reformer classes in individual or group settings.
Joseph Pilates developed his exercise method to help wounded soldiers during World War I, and the equipment he invented is still used by physical therapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors. It is especially useful for injuries to the hip, knee, and spine. People with injuries should consult a healthcare professional before working on a reformer.
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