What is Pilates?
Pilates is a low-impact, dynamic workout that improves muscle tone and endurance, posture, strength, flexibility, balance and functional movement. It gives you an edge in athletic performance, everyday activities, and injury prevention by building a strong core (the foundation of a healthy body!) and activating underused muscles. Hundreds of exercises are performed on a mat or on a variety of spring-based apparatuses — including the reformer — designed to simultaneously stretch and strengthen the entire body. The beauty of Pilates is that it is so adaptable; from being challenging enough for elite athletes, to gentle enough for rehabilitation purposes.
Get started with me and enjoy tailored and affordable private reformer sessions designed to help you feel your best every day.
About the Reformer
The Pilates reformer is an incredibly versatile exercise machine. It is essentially a sliding platform attached to springs and moves by way of a pulley system. At the core (pun intended) of its design are the adjustable springs, which will challenge your strength or give you support where you need it. This unique resistance system allows for progressive overload, ensuring continuous growth and improvement so you don’t stay stagnant in your practice!
The reformer was invented by Joseph Pilates—the method's creator and namesake—in the early 20th century as a way to support bedridden World War I soldiers in rebuilding strength. Many different models have been created since then, including the Allegro 2 by Balanced Body, Jessica's favorite!
If you’ve done mat Pilates, but have never used the reformer, the main difference lies in the controlled resistance provided by the springs (in comparison to mat Pilates, where you are challenged by gravity and your own bodyweight). Reformer Pilates typically leads to greater muscle activation and strength gains than mat work.
Whatever your interest or goal, Pilates will help you do it better and feel better.