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Pilates Reformer - Terror Or Training?

By: Charles L Cory The Pilates Reformer could easily have been an extra from a 70's horror movie. In fact I am sure I remember Vincent Price using one! In actual fact, it is a well crafted machine designed to deliver top quality and fitness workouts via Pilates.

I could try and explain what the Pilates Reformer actually does, but it wouldn't make much sense without an understanding of Pilates itself. So in order to explain the former, I had best explain the latter.

The aim of a Pilates workout is to improve your core strength, rather than just your external appearance. It pays particular attention to the stomach muscles (abdominals) and the back muscles, which quite honestly are key to any serious workout anyway.

There are a number of basic principals associated with Pilates. These were not created specifically by the creator of Pilates, but by coaches and instructors. Broadly speaking, they can be divided into the following categories: Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath, and Flow.

When talking about centering, we are really talking about where the Pilates exercises are aimed, namely in the centre of the body, specifically in an area between the pubic bone and the lower ribs.

As the name implies, concentration means giving your full attention to the matter in hand. As with any exercise or fitness program, 100% concentration on the exercise will give you better results.

The control element refers to the manner in which the exercises are undertaken. Every part of your body should be in control and doing only what the exercise requires.

In Pilates, awareness is sustained throughout each movement. There is an appropriate placement, alignment relative to other body parts, and trajectory for each part of the body, and precision of movement is important.

Breath is referring to a coordinated breathing during the exercises.

Fluidity, grace, and ease are goals applied to all Pilates exercises. A smooth technique is important to the most beneficial use of Pilates.

These basic principals actually apply to many forms of exercise, although all six together are pretty unique to the performance of Pilates. They are also pretty much common sense, and if applied correctly, will help give you the maximum benefit from your workout.

Pilates equipment, like the reformer, are very good mirrors of one's flow and concentration as they tend to bang around and suddenly become quite "machine-like" if one loses ones control and flow. The Reformer provides finely tuned exercise resistance that allows one to work very precisely with alignment, core strength, and all of the Pilates exercise principles.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

Find out how a Pilates Reformer exercise equipmnet can radically improve your core strength and stamina, through a carefully structured and principled exercise program and fitness gym equipment.

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