2024-03-16 21:09:18
In classic Pilates, a mat is often enough. Reformer Pilates is different: you train on a “bed frame”. How it works and what use it is.
Do you love Pilates and want to try something new? There may be a studio near you that has Reformer Pilates on its schedule.
This Pilates variation owes its name to the large piece of equipment that is the focus: the reformer. How do you train with it and what’s the point? Three questions and answers.
What exactly is this reformer?
“The reformer is similar to a bed frame,” says fitness trainer Elisabeth Graser, who is also a lecturer at the German University for Prevention and Health Management.
An important part of many reformers is a platform that slides on rails and is connected to the frame via metal springs. Graser: “The platform is moved gently like a sleigh using cables.” Many exercises are possible: lying down, sitting, kneeling, standing.
By the way: The reformer is not a new invention. Joseph Pilates, who developed the Pilates training method, patented the device 100 years ago.
The history of the fitness machine’s origins also explains why it is so reminiscent of a bed frame. According to Graser, Joseph Pilates is said to have trained injured fellow prisoners during the First World War – and came up with the idea of tensioning metal springs on beds. There are now different versions of the reformer.
What exactly do I train with Reformer Pilates?
Whether on the mat or on the reformer: Pilates trains strength, mobility and coordination, ensures a stable core and improves posture, says Graser.
Typical of Reformer Pilates: By using the ropes and springs, the muscles in the arms and legs have to work harder than in classic Pilates, where the focus is on the center of the body. According to Graser, those who regularly go to reformer training can see faster progress in strength endurance and muscle building than with classic mat Pilates.
Should I be afraid that Reformer Pilates will be too strenuous for me?
Although Reformer Pilates is demanding, the training can be designed individually. “The metal springs attached to the platform can be removed or attached depending on the exercise and performance level,” says Elisabeth Graser. This can make the exercises both easier and more difficult.
If the exercises on the reformer are not carried out correctly, there is a risk of incorrect loading and injuries. Graser therefore advises: If you want to try out this Pilates variant, it is best to do so as part of a personal training session or in a small group – but in any case under the supervision of a trained trainer.