A flavour of what to expect from the Reformer with a short workout by Yours Truly.
It looks easy but its surprisingly difficult to use all of the Pilates principles on Reformer but when you do, the results can be amazing.
Every Reformer workout focuses on strength, stability, flexibility and the core. On the Reformer you cannot ‘cheat’, you are held in the correct alignment, supported by the structure and the ropes. Adding or removing weights changes the level of control needed so the same exercise done with different weights changes where and how the body works.
I worked all my muscles groups here whilst remaining in a neutral spine position. Starting with the footbar, the stimulus from the feet sends signals to the pelvis. The pelvis becomes more stable as gluteus max, mede and min strengthen and stabilise pelvis and hips. All the muscles of the legs get a functional workout, as muscles are lengthened, strengthened and become more flexible.
The resistance of the springs combined with the relaxing, smooth and controlled movement, reaches the sitz bones. which has many muscle attachments. The toes, arches of the feet, the ankles, and calves, front, back, outer and inner thighs all work together. The muscles of the legs attach into the pelvic floor, hips and bottom and once the muscles start to rebalance and strengthen from the varied positions of the feet and legs, the correct firing of the muscles along the movement chain thus becomes more efficient, lengthening shortened tight muscles and strengthening weak muscles.
The resistance element of the springs also works to strengthen bones, ligaments and tendons. The movement of the Reformer creates some instability and fires up the deepest muscles of the core, in turn stabilising and strengthening the corset muscles that support the spine.
Feel a bit sorry for my clients, they get an hours workout, this is only the start and I’ve shortened it considerably. Its surpringly difficult
Angela Williams Mat Pilates groups 