Alice S Kay is a writer on health and fitness issues. Get more information on the benefits of Pilates Reformer exercises here.
Pilates Reformer – Benefits of Pilates Reformer Exercises
Posted on January 15, 2010
The Pilates Reformer is the most well loved Pilates equipment. It was invented by Joseph Pilates, the founder of Pilates, in the 1920s. Today, the Pilates Reformer continues to be widely used due to its versatility. You can perform many exercises on this equipment. Apart from the resistance and spring exercises, you can do mat routines and cadillac exercises on the platform.
The benefits of the Pilates Reformer exercises are manifold. The exercises will see you building strength in your arms, legs, abdominal and back muscles. Pilates stresses the importance of developing a strong center, known as the powerhouse of the body. Joseph Pilates believed that the physical center of the body is where the energy of the body starts. Hence, the exercises start from the center and slowly go outwards to the arms and leg muscles. The stretching and pulling routines are designed to lengthen and soften your body without building bulky muscles in the process.
As the basis for which the reformer was originally built, it is still widely used today for rehabilitation of joint injuries. Hard core professional athletes like gymnasts, tennis players, basketball players and boxers use the Pilates Reformer exercises to strengthen their muscles and improve cardiovascular fitness.
For beginners who are new to Pilates, it is advisable to work with a certified Pilates instructor who can give proper guidance and training. This is to prevent any unwarranted muscle injury. The exercises are initially tough for the body but with regular practice over time, the muscles will be reconditioned and the benefits of Pilates Reformer exercises will be fully reaped.
