Enhance Your Workout with the Pilates Reformer
Pilates exercises have been used by athletes and nonprofessionals for decades as a way to improve flexibility, recover from an injury and improve the length of muscles. Pilates involves using a series of simple movements in a way that has a large overall impact. While on their own Pilates exercises are a powerful strengthening tool, their power can be greatly increased by using the Pilates reformer.
The Pilates reformer is an exercise machine that has been designed to work in conjunction with Pilates exercises. The goal is to improve the intensity of the workout. Added resistance is created by using the weight of the person using the machine as well as by springs and leverage in the machine. The Pilates reformer machine works by helping you perform fluid movements in a controlled way. It allows you to work your muscles using the full range of motion.
Muscular endurance is increased because you need to exert force to overcome the resistance the machine creates. While using the Pilates reformer, you will see that the size of your muscle fibers increase and their strength and endurance is improved. As your strength and endurance improve, you are able to do exercises using the Pilates reformer for extended periods of time. Soon you will find yourself doing your Pilates workout with little fatigue. Your muscles will become stronger, but they are also lengthened. For this reason, your body does not appear bulky.
The Pilates reformer is an excellent tool when it comes to improving your core strength. Core strength comes from exercising by using proper technique. The Pilates reformer forces you to keep your body in a correct position, which allows your core and your lower back to do the majority of the work. As you continue to do core exercises, your spine will align and become stabilized. The stronger your core is, the greater ability you will have to engage in exercises with the proper alignment. The stronger your core is, the less chance you have of injury.
A Pilates reformer machine will help to improve your posture. If you have good posture, other aspects of your health will improve as well. These include blood circulation and respiration. As these two conditions improve, you will be able to work out longer and harder with less fatigue. As your posture improves and as your muscles and joints lengthen, you will have a taller appearance. Any muscle imbalances you have will be corrected.
The Pilates reformer machine will help you burn calories. As you work out, your metabolism becomes more active. You become thinner, and you have a higher muscle to fat ratio. The more muscle that you have, the more calories your body needs to keep functioning. So you can eat a little more, your body burns a little more and you maintain a good overall body weight.
The Pilates reformer is a powerful tool that enhances any Pilates workout. It can be used by both novices and experienced Pilates practitioners who want to get the most out of their workout. At Zero Gravity Fitness in Ocoee, we offer Pilates reformer group classes. Classes are available almost every day of the week at a variety of different times. Contact us today to schedule your appointment, or to learn more about our Pilates reformer classes.