The What, The Why & The How Reformer
There is no Pilates equipment more famous than the reformer — for good reasons.
The reformer makes a dramatic impression when you first see it, and an even more dramatic change on your body when you use it.
What Is a Pilates Reformer?
The reformer was invented by Pilates founder Joseph Pilates. It is a bed-like frame with a flat platform on it, called the carriage, which rolls back and forth on wheels within the frame. The carriage is attached to one end of the reformer by a set of springs.
Springs provide choices of differing levels of resistance as the carriage is pushed or pulled along the frame.
The carriage has shoulder blocks on it that keep users from sliding off the end of the reformer as they push or pull the carriage.
A the spring end of the reformer, there is an adjustable bar called a footbar. The footbar can be used by the feet or hands as a user moves the carriage. The reformer also has long straps with handles on them that are attached to the top end of the frame.
They can be pulled with legs or arms to move the carriage as well. Body weight and resistance of the springs are what make the carriage more or less difficult to move.
How a Reformer Is Used?
A wide variety of exercises are done on the reformer to promote length, strength, flexibility, and balance. Most Pilates reformer exercises have to do with pushing or pulling the carriage or holding the carriage steady during an exercise as it is pulled on by the springs. Exercises can be done lying down, sitting, standing, pulling the straps, or pushing the footbar.
Benefits
The reformer offers all the benefits of Pilates including overall strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance. These things, in turn, lead to daily life improvements like better posture, graceful and efficient movement, and for many, relief from the pain associated with physical imbalances such as back pain.
Accesses A Variety of Muscles
The “powerhouse’ muscles—the muscles of the core—are paramount for building strength. Strong abs, backs, buttocks, and thighs are all results of this emphasis. Other equipment and Pilates mat exercises do that too, but the reformer creates a unique, functional and varied exercise environment.
Works on Flexibility and Strength
The reformer is large enough to accommodate full-range motion, which is wonderful for increasing flexibility while building strength. It seems to invite the length you want to create in the body, and it trains the body to sustain that length.
Offers Resistance and Variety
Pushing and pulling with legs or arms against the resistance of the springs, carriage, and body weight is generally strength-building. The exercises provide enough resistance and movement variety to help build strong bones. And there is a unique feature—eccentric muscle contractions. This is when a muscle lengthens as it resists a force.
Challenges Balance and Stability
The instability of a rolling carriage with the springs set at different levels of resistance provides all kinds of stability challenges that develop core strength and promote better balance. For example, having less of the body on the carriage is one of the ways Pilates exercises get harder.
Exercising with the reformer is possible for anyone, at any level of fitness. It’s no wonder the full name of the reformer is the universal reformer.
Learning the Exercises
The best way to learn Pilates reformer is through private instruction or in a class. Once you learn the exercises and begin to understand the foundations, a program can be set up that you can then follow in your own time.
How does it Work at My Physio
At myphysio we have Physios that are trained in the Reformer (we use this for our rehab from injuries) along with a Pilates Reformer trained instructor for your health and wellbeing. Call us today to see how this might work for you!
- Physiotherapist Reformer Consultation $90 (40mins) - this is more if you have an injury that needs consideration
- Pilates Reformer Instructor $70/hr. Recommended an hour session initially.
- You will be set up on a programme that you can have on your phone with videos
- Personal Training Sessions ongoing as often as you wish.
- Weekly use of the Reformer Studio $15 (Students and Gold Card $13)
- Concession Card for Personal Training Sessions (30mins each) $350 for 12 - Get 2 FREE