| The origins of Pilates are interesting to read and date | | | | producing noticeable results. And as the name |
| back to the early part of the 20th century, 1910 to | | | | suggests, the Pilates reformer will certainly change |
| be precise. The inventor of Pilates, Joseph Pilates, | | | | your body for the better. |
| created these sets of exercises to improve the | | | | To perform one of the basic Pilates reformer |
| quality of his health. During World War I Joseph | | | | exercises you will need to be positoned correctly on |
| Pilates found himself residing in a detention centre in | | | | the 'carriage' by your instructor. You should be lying |
| England. Because of his nationality he was regarded | | | | on your back and then you will be required to push |
| as an enemy to the country. Because, even as a | | | | your body upwards and downwards. Your instructor |
| child, he never enjoyed particularly good health and | | | | will ensure that you are performing the movement |
| was lacking in physical strength. As a way to combat | | | | accurately and that your body position does not |
| his frailties he began to exercise regularly. During his | | | | allow you to strain your muscles. There are variations |
| incarceration in England he was inspired to use the | | | | to this exercise depending on which machine you |
| springs found in hospital beds as a way to continue | | | | have chosen to use. |
| his exercises. He found that the springs provided the | | | | The use of the Pilates reformer is actually far more |
| exact resistance he needed to use as a way to | | | | effective than any of the resistance exercises you |
| strengthen his body. It was from these humble | | | | may already be practising. As Pilates is aimed at |
| beginnings that the Pilates Reformer was created. | | | | strengthening the muscles of the abdominals, lower |
| The techniques employed in Pilates are designed for | | | | back and pelvis amongst other muscle groups, your |
| anyone of any level of fitness because the groups of | | | | instructor will demonstrate how to keep your spine |
| exercises are low intensity, and do not demand | | | | and pelvis in a neutral position, and you will be able to |
| strenuous cardiovascular movement. For those who | | | | feel the impact of the exercises in this core region. |
| lack boundless energy but want to strengthen and | | | | Ideally, areas such as the back of the legs and the |
| tone their body Pilates is the ideal form of exercise | | | | hips should take the strain of the exercise and not |
| and the results will be enjoyed if the Pilates | | | | the knees, so you will be required to relax your |
| techniques are practised consistently. Pilates requires | | | | quads and knees to prevent injury. |
| very little use of equipment, and the accessories that | | | | The above are just the rudiments required when |
| are used, such as the Pilates reformer, are easily | | | | practising with the Pilates reformer. As you progress |
| transportable and inexpensive. | | | | and become more confident, flexible and stronger |
| Before undertaking the rather challenging and intricate | | | | you will be able to participate in more intense and |
| floor exercises practised on the Pilates mat, it is | | | | challenging movements. Your instructor will assess |
| advisable to become acquainted with the Pilates | | | | your ability and will remove the supportive foot bar. |
| reformer. However, never attempt to try either the | | | | The basic idea is to eventually remove all forms of |
| Pilates reformer, or Pilates mat exercises without | | | | supportive equipment and as your core muscles |
| taking instruction from a fully qualified Pilates | | | | strengthen your body will be total control of the |
| instructor. The benefits of having professional tuition | | | | movements that you are performing. In this way you |
| is that your instructor will ensure that you perform | | | | will only need your Pilates accessories and the Pilates |
| exercises that will target certain parts of your body | | | | reformer. |
| that really need strengthening and will correct you if | | | | If you exercise with the Pilates reformer regularly |
| you are not performing those movements accurately. | | | | and accurately you will experience a stronger, leaner, |
| Your Pilates instructor will also instruct you on how to | | | | more toned body in a relatively short time and you |
| use any of the Pilates equipment. | | | | will be inspired by the results to push your limitations |
| The Pilates reformer has an excellent reputation for | | | | a little each time. |