Reformer Pilates: The Latest Hollywood-Approved Fitness Trend You HAVE to Try

Hailed by fitness fanatics, influencers and celebrities as the new IT girl workout, reformer pilates has been making waves in the wellness world. With studios popping up just about everywhere, we wanted to test out the hype and it turns out this Hollywood-approved fitness trend might totally change how you feel about your body. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is reformer pilates?

Reformer pilates has seen a surge in popularity but what does it actually involve? It’s essentially a body-sculpting workout using a bed-like resistance machine with springs and straps that facilitates a range of pilates exercise targeted towards strengthening the core and stretching muscles to improve flexibility.

Where did it begin?

Pilates actually began life as Contrology, pioneered by Joseph Hubertus Pilates. As a child, Joseph suffered from several conditions including rickets, rheumatic fever, and asthma. His parents were told that he would likely die prematurely and he became determined to return his body to a good physical condition.

During WW1, Joseph came to England to work with patients on the Isle of Man who were unable to walk. He came up with a rehabilitation solution to integrate springs in the hospital beds as a strengthening exercise for patients’ limbs. This apparatus was the prototype and inspiration for the modern-day reformer as we know it.

Founded on principles of strength, stability, centre, control, flow, precision, and breathing, pilates became a dynamic and inclusive practice grouped with the likes of yoga and meditation.

How can it work for me?

Reformer pilates is a great way to strengthen your core, promote greater flexibility, and improve stamina. It welcomes everybody no matter what your body type, helping you feel strong, fit and empowered. Celebrities from Margot Robbie to Meghan Markle swear by the body conditioning benefits and the targeted routines can help you see and feel results quickly. It’s a low-impact, mind-body disicpline performed on specialist equipment and has been heralded for it’s host of benefits from its rehabilitation properties to helping with posture.

Benefits

Core Strength

A common reason for many to start is the appeal of core strength. Your abs will have never looked better. Reformer pilates teaches your muscles to engage your core and promotes stability.

Flexibility

The apparatus used in reformer pilates can help create internal pressure to elongate the spine, joints and muscles which leads to greater flexibility improved with every session.

Grounding

Just like yoga, pilates can act as a grounding experience for many people. With slow movements, stretching, and realignment, the exercise can promote mindfulness and help you feel centred.

Posture

Reformer Pilates helps support a strong core which can help realign the body and spine for better posture.

Toning

Ideal for helping tone up, reformer pilates can help relieve aches and pains as well as supporting the strengthening of the legs, glutes, arms, abs and shoulders.

How to get started

The best way to get started with reformer pilates is to find a class or instructor near you to teach you the basics. Class sessions are growing in popularity meaning there’s probably one very near you. One-on-one sessions can help you nail down your technique and frame if you’re serious about getting core strength and flexibility. If reformer pilates seems like a big step, taking an ordinary pilates or yoga class can help you get used to moving your body and stretching so you can develop a bit of strength and balance before trying out reformer.