Using the Reformer as Part of Your Pilates Program

When Joseph H. Pilates first developed his now-popular form of body conditioning exercise, he was at least partly thinking of his system as a means to rehabilitation. While working as a nurse in Great Britain during the First World War, he witnessed first hand the suffering of wounded soldiers returning from war. He tinkered with the hospital beds to create a special resistance apparatus that he used with his clients to build muscle strength, flexibility, and to return his patients to mobility. He became so confident in his new methods that he was sure his new system was responsible for keeping his patients healthy during the onslaught of the Great Influenza epidemic that swept across England in the early twentieth century. Eventually, pilates would become more associated with long, lean yet very strong bodies of professional dancers and gymnasts. Indeed, when Pilates and his wife Clara opened their famous Fourth Avenue studio in New York City, much of their clientele consisted of professional ballerinas and dancers. Now, pilates is touted as a highly effective method for conditioning and sculpting the body. Even though it is most closely associated with the long and lean look of most Hollywood celebrities, pilates still retains at its core its original body conditioning and strengthening component.

If you are considering adopting pilates into your weigh lifting routine, you will probably start off on the popular pilates apparatus known as the reformer (sometimes referred to as the universal reformer). The reformer is most recommend for use by participants who are seeking help with ligament or muscle strain, patients with pelvic torque issues, or other diseases affecting the discs. The reformer is used to retain and improve the elasticity of the body, and to restore functional movement. However, even though who have sustained injury or suffer from straining can use the reformer to increase flexibility and elasticity of the body's tissues. The reformer is also very popular for stabilizing the back. What does the reformer look like? The reformer resembles a horizontal bed that slides. It contains loops, belts, and detachable springs. It can be modified according to the needs of each patient. The reformer is built to ensure pelvic stability. When an individual lies on the reformer machine, their pelvis is automatically placed in a neutral position. What else can you expect when first lying on a reformer machine? Expect your back lie in a neutral, horizontal position. Your shoulders will be placed against two supporters, and your feet will rest against the footrest bar comfortably.

Unlike other common weight lifting and body conditioning machines, you don't have to constantly shift or check your position while on the reformer. The reformer was designed so that your body is automatically supported in a neutral position. The built-in spring resistance feature ensures that the machine can be modified to support different types of problems. For instance, certain individuals with back problems may need to modify the position of the machine in order to rest comfortably. The reformer's versatility makes it possible for just about anyone to work comfortably and neutrally on the machine.