| Pilates has gained skyrocketed popularity over a | | | | up by the springs. |
| decade. An exercise system created by Joseph | | | | 2. Springs foot bars and gear system: The height of |
| Pilates focuses on core strength with emphasis on | | | | the foot bar is adjusted with the gear system. The |
| flexibility and strength through stability and balance. | | | | notches on the inside of the frame allow you to |
| With the growing popularity of pilates, there is | | | | adjust the height of the foot bar. The springs |
| paralleled popularity of these machines. These | | | | provide resistance from the machine. The springs are |
| machines help you perform the Pilates exercises by | | | | hooked on the spring bar and these can be unhooked |
| giving you an increased range of motion and support | | | | to increase and decrease the resistance. The springs |
| or help you ease in some of the complex exercise. | | | | are color-coded. Yellow is lightest, and then blue, red |
| Pilates reformer is amazing elegant piece of | | | | and finally the most resistance from green. Different |
| equipment. It provides finely tuned exercise | | | | levels of resistance are achieved through varying |
| resistance that allows one to work very precisely | | | | combinations of the springs. |
| with alignment, core strength and all the other | | | | 3. Headrest and shoulder blocks: Many of the pilates |
| exercises. For all the pilates enthusiasts, reformer is | | | | exercises are done lying down with the head on the |
| the first step of the workouts. All the spas, gym and | | | | headrest. The headrest can be flat or tilted up a bit |
| studios have reformers. There are many styles of | | | | depending on your preference and the comfort level |
| reformers. Some are made of wood and some of | | | | of your neck. The shoulder blocks are to keep you |
| metal. There might be leather strap ropes and | | | | stable when you push or pull the carriage. For many |
| reformer may be on legs or not. It is very important | | | | exercise shoulder blocks are used as props for the |
| to understand the basic parts of this equipment and | | | | feet, knees and even hands. |
| their functions before using it. | | | | 4. Straps or ropes: At the far end of the reformer, |
| 1. Carriage: Reformer exercises can be done laying | | | | the straps are connected to pulleys. These straps |
| down sitting, kneeling or standing. It is moved by | | | | have handles that aids you to pull or push the |
| pushing against the foot bar or by pulling the straps | | | | carriage. |
| or ropes at the other end. It glides back and forth | | | | As can be seen from above points pilates reformer |
| along the inside of the frame, depending on the | | | | provides a complete body workout in a safe way. |
| pressure you exert and the amount of resistance set | | | | |