Movement, Training

What Is Reformer Pilates? Exploring Equipment and Exercises

We hear you from the rooftops: what is reformer Pilates?

As a way of keeping yourself healthy, Pilates has been the predominant mind-body exercise for many years now. It’s been further developed and transformed multiple times over the years, with one of the leading formats being Reformer Pilates.

Now, you may have a whole lot of questions at this point. Does reformer Pilates build muscle? Can you do reformer Pilates while pregnant? Is reformer Pilates strength training?

Today, we’re here to put your mind at ease. There’s no magic cure that’s going to make your problems disappear in the blink of an eye, but that’s okay. Instead of battling that idea, we want to give you a new focus that helps your mind run free.

What Is Reformer Pilates?

As opposed to using a mat, Reformer Pilates involves a bed-like frame and machine that allows you to accentuate your movements in a low-impact way. It helps build your core strength, makes you more flexible, and offers up an entirely new challenge compared to normal Pilates.

The moving carriage will allow you to work on your stability and leverage, and with your mind racing throughout, you have to be versatile in how you deal with every challenge that presents itself. Thankfully, with the spring resistance, you can put all of your attention into the grind.

There’s also the small matter of staying in control of your breathing and your physical reaction to the workout. 

It provides a wider range of movement and, in a lot of ways, can spice up the exercise for those who want to push their body to even greater limits. There’s nothing wrong with mat-based Pilates, but as you’ll come to learn, there are serious positives that stem from taking things to the next level.

Whether it be losing weight or just giving yourself another outlet for building self-confidence, this is the best way forward.

So, what is reformer Pilates? Let’s dive a bit deeper.

Understanding the Reformer

To understand what is reformer Pilates, you first have to understand the Reformer.

The Reformer machine aims to give you all the necessary tools to exercise your muscles in a manner that’s both exciting and safe. 

The moving carriage is secured as a kind of platform that slowly glides you from end to end on the machine. There are also strings and straps attached to ensure you remain in place alongside a footbar that, more often than not, is entirely adjustable and easy to use.

Because of the resistance, you’re able to get in a full-body workout that really tests what you’re capable of. From building muscle tone to reducing the risk of injury, it ticks so many boxes.

Here at Fluidform, we want to get you moving with comfort and dignity. It’s so comfortable that it’s entirely safe to use during pregnancy and can even have psychological benefits.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to make this all work, or getting even more answers to [what is reformer Pilates’ in your own home, click here.

Key Movements and Benefits

What is reformer Pilates? What is reformer Pilates good for? Is reformer Pilates good for weight loss? We hear you.

There are so many movements out there that could prove critical when determining how far you want to go on your Reformer Pilates journey. The key is making sure that each targets different muscle groups, adding up to a well-rounded workout.

This includes items such as the Footwork Series, Leg Circles and Long Stretch, giving you the opportunity to build up from the bottom half of your body and really stretch yourself out.

As part of the Fluidform program, we offer a wide range of information and guidance that can help you decide what works best.

Reformer Pilates for Different Fitness Levels

Pilates is all about adaptation and that’s certainly the case with Reformer. Regardless of what your fitness levels are, from beginning to intermediate to advanced, all practitioners can build themselves from the ground up and really start to make a difference in their lives.

Plus, in addition to staving off injuries, you’ll also be able to rehabilitate any existing problems you may have. Reformer Pilates requires a low amount of energy in comparison to a full workout, so whether you’re struggling with a niggle or you’ve just had surgery, this is the way to go.

If you fancy starting with the fundamentals, click here.

Getting Started with Reformer Pilates: What You Need to Know

It can be hard to really get off the ground with something like Reformer Pilates, especially if you’ve never really dipped your toe in the water before. Alas, it really is easier than you may think to pick yourself up and dive straight into it.

Firstly, you need to figure out whether you want to find a specialist class or try out your home setup. If it’s the former, stock up on some Fluidform equipment and check out the reviews for all of the available classes in the surrounding area. You may not feel comfortable to begin with, but everyone has been in that position before—so trust yourself and take the leap of faith.

With regards to the home setup, finding the right home Reformer machine can be tricky – but it’s well worth the time and research. This is an investment not only in a machine but also in your own body. This is a relationship that will last for years, and it’s all about taking that first step and really discovering what is reformer Pilates.

Conclusion: What Is Reformer Pilates? A Comprehensive Approach to Fitness

Is it easy to pick up something new and slip right into it like a new pair of gloves? No, but nothing good in life comes without effort and sacrifice. Throughout this article, we’ve shown you the methods, the equipment and the fitness benefits, and we thoroughly hope that it’s sunken in.

If there’s one message we’d leave you with, it’d be this: take a chance. This may not be your usual cup of tea and it may feel like a complete waste of time, but once you’ve given it a real go, you’ll soon realise that workouts such as this can completely reinvent your outlook on life.

As your physical health improves, so will your mental health right alongside it, and it’s often difficult to find activities that partner the two up together. We won’t pretend as if it’s going to happen overnight but with the right motivation, Reformer Pilates can get you on the right track.

So what is Reformer Pilates, you ask? Well, it’s a pretty great idea in our view.

To learn more about the Fluidform family and everything we can provide, check out our website!

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