If you have ever watched any of the old horror movies, you could be forgiven for thinking that the Pilates Reformer fitness machine actually appeared in some of them. Far from being a bit part player in a horror movie, the Pilates Reformer is an star performer in many fitness gyms around the world.

So what does the Pilates Reformer do exactly? Perhaps the best thing to do is to explain some of the principals behind Pilates, so that you will better understand what the Reformer is trying to achieve.

The definition of Pilates is the balanced development of the deep and superficial muscles that stabilize, align, and move the trunk of the body, especially the abdominals and muscles of the back, which many fitness teachers might also refer to as core strength. core strength looks beyond the superficial, and sometimes cosmetic, outer appearance, and looks at the power of the internal muscles.

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.

Centering refers to bringing the focus of the exercise to the centre of the body between the lower ribs and pubic bone. Energetically, Pilates exercises are sourced from this centre.

Concentration is as the name implies. Focusing 100% attention to the job in hand. It goes without saying that if you can do that, you can get excellent results from Pilates.

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.

Joseph Pilates emphasized using a very full breath in his exercises. He advocated thinking of the lungs as a bellows to pump the air in and out of the body. Most Pilates exercises (as is common in a lot of exercise regimes) coordinate with the breath, and using the breath properly is an important part of Pilates exercise.

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

In order to get the maximum benefit from your Pilates workout, it is imperative that you keep these six basic principles in mind at all times.

Now having read and understood the basic principles of Pilates, you will be better placed to understand how the Pilates Reformer can work for you. The Reformer provides finely tuned resistance to assist you with the technical principals of Pilates. The principals like the breath though are still down to you! Used correctly, the Pilates Reformer will help improve your core strength, which is the overriding design of Pilates.

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