Strengthen Your Core with Pilates Reformer in Hales Corners, WI
The great thing about Pilates Reformer classes in Hales Corners at our Revitalize clinic is that every move on the pilates reformer works to strengthen your core. It does this by using a moving surface that requires control but is also a gentle, low-impact exercise class that helps women prevent injuries, get stronger, strengthen their core and pelvic floor and get rid of low back pain. If you are a local woman looking to strengthen your core with pilates reformer in the Hales Corners & Milwaukee area, then come try out a class! But let’s dive into the details on why pilates reformer is so great to strengthen your core.
What is the Pilates Reformer?
The Pilates Reformer is a machine that has springs for resistance, arm straps and a foot bar with a carriage that moves. The carriage moves against the spring’s resistance, which can be adjusted for difficulty level. During class, you move through a variety of positions on the carriage. These include sitting, lying down, kneeling and standing.
What makes the Pilates Reformer so great for women is because it is gentle and low-impact but still provides the challenge to build bone and muscle for long-term health benefits. Since the exercises are performed against springs, this is called “eccentric” strengthening because the muscles are lengthening while contracting. Eccentric strengthening requires more muscular control but it also results in better strength gains. This will give the long, lean look for while Pilates is well-known for.
Besides the great health benefits from this machine, the exercises can also be easily modified for different ability levels or limitations. This is why the local women of Hales Corners love Pilates Reformer class so much because it can be modified to meet them where they are at. No more worrying if you are going to flare up an injury, not be able to do a majority of the exercises, or have pain in one position. It truly is a great exercise for women of all ages and fitness levels!
How does Pilates Reformer strengthen your core?
When using the Pilates Reformer, you are often times moving the carriage against the resistance of the springs. This movement creates an “unstable” environment so the core muscles HAVE to activate in order to help you maintain your position on the machine. It is why pretty much every move on the Pilates Reformer works to strengthen your core!
Having a challenge that essentially forces the core muscles to activate is really helpful for women because they often struggle to properly engage their core muscles. Pregnancy, hormonal changes and past injuries are all reasons why women have a more difficult time strengthening their core because the muscles “shut off” and do not automatically engage again unless there is a reason they need to. Exercising against spring resistance while on a moving carriage is definitely a reason for the core muscles to engage.
At other times during a Pilates Reformer class, you may be required to maintain a certain position and NOT let the carriage move. This is also another challenge that strengthens the core because the core muscles must engage to stabilize the body and maintain it’s position without moving the carriage. Overall, you will strengthen your core with Pilates Reformer directly with core exercises or indirectly by stabilizing on the carriage.
3 additional benefits of the Pilates Reformer
1. Low impact
The class emphasizes controlled movements that are often done without a ton of movement. You are also using springs for resistance so there is no “pounding” on the joints. This is great for women looking to strengthen without stressing their joints too much.
2. Challenges your balance
Standing on the carriage or holding specific positions on the Pilates Reformer will challenge your balance. You will need to utilize your stabilizing muscles to stay upright. Everything is able to be modified so don’t let poor balance deter you!
3. Cardiovascular
Using an attachment called the jump-board allows us to get your heart rate up (all while being low impact) to increase cardiovascular health. It’s also great for athletes looking to cross-train like runners.
4. Improved mobility
A lot of moves on the Pilates Reformer aim to improve mobility by moving through a full range of motion during the exercise and combining stretching elements into the class. This will leave you feeling stronger and more mobile! Plus, there is an added bonus of improving your posture from Pilates Reformer which will also help improve your mobility.
Who would benefit from Pilates Reformer?
We honestly believe that Pilates Reformer is a wonderful exercise class for all women of any age (we even have mother-daughter duos join us!). While women go through different phases of life, the demands on their body changes as do their exercise goals. Pilates Reformer classes can meet these changing demands and goals. Based on the ability to modify the exercises and positions, it is also a great exercise class for women of all ability levels and that may have movement limitations. Don’t let the machine intimidate you! If you are looking to strengthen your core, improve your mobility and have fun while doing it, then we highly suggest trying out a Pilates Reformer class!
How can you try a Pilates Reformer class in Hales Corners, WI?
Ready to give it Pilates Reformer class a try and start strengthening your core? We offer various Pilates Reformer classes in Hales Corners, WI throughout the week at convenient times of the day. So if you live in the surrounding Hales Corners area including Muskego, Franklin, Greenfield, Greendale, New Berlin, or Burlington, then come join us for a class! Our clients love the private clinic space, small class size, and low-pressure vibe to help them achieve their goals! Just reserve your spot in an upcoming class HERE.