Revitalise Your Fitness Routine: The Full-Body Benefits of Reformer Pilates
Are your traditional gym workouts getting a bit stale? Do you need more core stability, or a new fitness challenge?
Pilates has a reputation for providing incredible health benefits, and compliments other forms of exercise by strengthening the body and even improving mental health.
Using a Reformer machine further enhances the effect by adding more exercise options, and scientific studies have identified the following positive effects of Reformer training:
Improved core strength
The core, or centre, of the body, encompasses the trunk and all of its associated muscles. Critical to proper posture, stability, and movement, a weak core often creates chronic pain throughout the head, neck, back, and shoulders. Studies conducted on postpartum women, older adults and those who suffer from chronic back pain, have found that this system of exercise consistently results in stronger muscles and reduced core-related pain.
Better posture
Poor posture leads to a host of problems, from head and neck pain to awkward sitting and standing positions. Improving core strength through Pilates can improve the body’s ability to hold itself in the correct position. Enhanced awareness of body alignment builds better posture when sitting, standing, walking, bending, and in other everyday movements.
Enhanced balance
Balance is central to many of life’s daily activities. From simply walking to completing more complex movements, good balance helps to reduce falls and maintain proper coordination in all parts of the body. Using a Reformer will prevent deterioration of balance and improve reaction time, particularly in older adults.
Immune system boost
Pilates strengthens and aligns muscles, but it also leads to improved circulation, and studies indicate that this improved blood flow could be good for your immune system. We all want to avoid illnesses by boosting the performance of our immune systems.
Reduction of pain
As mentioned above, pain is often the result of improperly aligned or exercised muscles within the body. Weak core muscles or poor posture can lead to chronic pain throughout the head, neck, shoulders, and back. Reformer Pilates can deliver relief from recurring discomfort. Studies have also shown that participation in Pilates can reduce menstrual pain.
Improved flexibility
Flexible muscles make it easier to stretch, move, reach, and function without injury. Stretching on a Reformer improves the muscles’ ability to work and recover safely. We often only notice our lack of flexibility when it’s too late, so keeping this a part of a regular routine is recommended.
Reduced injuries
Muscles that are out of balance, either because they are too weak or because they are too tight, are more prone to injury. Restoring the muscles to their proper roles within the body is one of the main advantages of regular use of a Reformer.
Raising the mood
Pilates isn’t just good for the body - it can also have mental and emotional benefits. Like any exercise, Pilates releases endorphins into the brain. These chemicals provide a natural feeling of happiness and well-being.
Although a Pilates Reformer is a large unit, there are folding versions that are easier to store.
We hire these into homes and studios, and even offer accessories like a jump board and sitting box to enhance the workout options.
We also sell the range of Align products which include several Reformers.
For those who want the ultimate workout there are cadillacs (or towers) which can be attached to most Reformers, enabling even more dynamic movements to be performed.
