REFORMER
The Reformer is the most famous piece of Pilates equipment that was invented by Joseph Pilates more than 100 years ago. Unlike workouts on the mat, where there is only gravity and your own body weight to contend with, the reformer has springs which can add resistance to the workout. The springs are colour coded and range from very light to very heavy. Use of a very light spring challenges the core muscles more as it’s harder to control and stabilise the movement.
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A combination of light, medium and heavy springs can be adjusted for progressive muscle strengthening. At Enrich Therapies, we have the Balanced Body Allegro 2 Reformer. This is a high end sleek and beautiful machine. There is a smooth gliding carriage that moves on rails inside a metal frame. The carriage is connected to the springs and there are pulleys with ropes and straps.
The carriage moves when you either push off from the footbar or use the straps to pull on. The Allegro 2 reformer is unique in its footbar, which can move from the foot end of the carriage all the way to the head end, giving a huge variety in exercise possibilities.
One of the best things about the reformer is its versatility. Exercises can be done lying on your back, side, kneeling, sitting, standing, all fours or on the tummy with the box.
REFORMER
REFORMER
The Pilates reformer is a piece of equipment designed by Joseph Pilates himself, dating back to the 1920’s in the original Pilates studio in New York. It is essentially a bed with a sliding carriage and springs, ropes and pulleys. It can be great way to enhance or progress your matwork, giving excellent feedback to the muscles and joints. One to ones on the reformer can be arranged upon request.
Perfect for Physiotherapy rehabilitation
During a Physiotherapy consultation, the reformer can be used to strengthen any muscle in the body. For example, the calf muscles for Achilles tendinopathy management, the quadriceps for patellofemoral dysfunction or post knee surgery, the gluteal muscles for runners. It is a dream for back pain rehabilitation and due to the loading effect, a fantastic way to strengthen the bones. There are numerous ways to challenge balance with the standing workouts which makes the reformer ideal for training functional movements such as squats or lunges.
Perfect for Pilates one to ones
There is an entire Pilates repertoire just for the Reformer. There are many similarities with the matwork but also many exercises that would be impossible to do on the mat. The machine gives amazing feedback and can fine tune familiar Pilates movements like the cobra- helping you to isolate and gain greater upper spine extension (great for this era of slumping over our phones). An increased feeling of stretch and lengthening can be found on the reformer. I would usually recommend mat Pilates first to learn the Pilates key elements and basic moves to get the most out of the equipment.
Perfect for fitness and general well being
There are many of you out there that just want to get flatter tummy muscles, toned buttocks, sculptured arms and strong backs. Maybe Pilates is the real reason celebrities look so toned.
Generally doing Pilates on the reformer can get more of a sweat on than the matwork. That’s good news for cardiovascular fitness too.
At Enrich Therapies we only have one machine so offer personalised exercise programs on a one to basis but not classes. Using the Reformer as part of a Physiotherapy consultation offers no extra charge. One to one Pilates on the reformer is an investment of £50 for 55 mins.
Contact
Please feel free to contact me by phone or email. Or alternatively fill in the form below, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
PHONE NUMBER: +44 7403 224945
EMAIL: laura@enrichtherapies.com
Pilates classes are held in Highfield and Portswood in Southampton and Chandler’s Ford.
Physiotherapy and one to one Pilates is at Laura’s home in Bassett, Southampton. Address given when making an appointment.