Reformer Be Used For Stretching

The Reformer is a piece of equipment developed by Joseph Pilates that resembles a bed with a flat platform at one end that moves back and forth on springs. Unlike Pilates mat exercises which are done lying down, the carriage of the reformer can be raised or lowered and the spring settings can be adjusted to alter the intensity of the workout or for people of different heights.

The moving carriage and the springs create a variety of challenges that help to develop the body’s deep stabilising muscles. It is these muscles that can be difficult to engage in traditional mat Pilates exercise but are a key element of the Reformer workout and are a big part of why the reformer is so effective at providing a full body workout with less joint pain and stiffness.

As well as being an incredible muscle builder and core strengthener the Reformer is also an excellent tool for improving flexibility. This is because the springs help to prevent overstretching and instead the movements are resisted which encourages the muscles to move in the correct way, building strength and increasing the range of movement in the joints. The knee stretch reformer exercise is a great example of this. Lying on the carriage with the feet placed over the footbar, the knees are pulled towards the chest promoting the lengthening of the hip flexors which in turn improves joint stability and increases flexibility.

Can the Reformer Be Used For Stretching?

For those new to reformer, the initial sensation of lying on a machine that moves can be a little uncomfortable. However, this is usually short lived and it is important to remember that it is the person using the machine who is in control; the reformer is not powered by anything but the person’s own body weight.

Adding the Tower to the Reformer dramatically increases the number of available exercises, taking the workout up to a level that can rival a mat class in terms of difficulty. The tower adds extra straps and bars that can be used for standing arms and leg work, seated roll backs etc. These can be swapped out for a variety of handles and loops for the hands or feet depending on the exercise and to change the spring tension.

A good Pilates session is about 40 to 60 minutes of a combination of exercises, and the regularity of this will soon lead to visible outcomes including improved strength, posture, flexibility and coordination. The Reformer can be a good introduction to Pilates for those who might not want the challenge of mat exercise, or it can serve as an additional workout for those who have injuries that restrict other forms of exercise. It can be a safe option for those with lower back or shoulder problems as the gentle movements reduce the pressure on the joints and can be modified to suit specific needs. It can be a particularly effective form of exercise for people recovering from injury and rehabilitation as the slow, controlled movements support healing of the injured muscles.