Exploring the History and Evolution of Pilates Reformer Machines
Pilates as a form of exercise is one of the homely names for millions of enthusiasts worldwide. People looking to work on their balance and flexibility and enhance core strength can take Pilates. It is a versatile workout regimen, ideally done on a Pilates Reformer machine.
If you happen to be a Pilates enthusiast or are just starting out your journey to become one, you might still be unaware of the rich history of Pilates and its founder, Joseph Pilates. This article will delve into the personal journey of Joseph Pilates and how his personal experiences have come to shape his attitude toward exercise and rehabilitation.
Origin and History of Pilates
Joseph Pilates of the Pilates method was born to a gymnast father and a naturopath mother. Pilates took to physical exercise to improve his health. He also studied multiple forms of physical fitness. These include yoga, gymnastics, martial arts, and boxing.
Pilates and WW1
When World War 1 broke out, Pilates was residing in England as a circus performer. He was thus taken into custody and interned in a British war camp for over four years. It was there he began developing the basics of his exercise methods. Which also inspired other inmates to take up their daily fitness routines in the form of early Pilates. Furthermore, the Pilates exercises also helped injured soldiers improve their strength and mobility.
Early Pilates Equipment
The Pilates reformer machine equipment was still a long way ahead in the future. Pilates put springs to patient beds to help them condition their bodies while being bedridden. This was the very innovation that moved on to inspire the design of a Pilates reformer machine.
Pilates' Contrology
Pilates soon immigrated to the USA in 1926. He and his wife Clara opened their own Manhattan gym in 1929. Their gym taught a mat and equipment system exercise regimen, which he had developed and named Contrology.
Traction Among Dancers and Performers
Pilates saw the success of his gym in the hands of popular performers and dancers in New York. Some of the most famous names include Martha Graham and George Balanchine. Both of them sought out the Pilates method to help them prevent and rehabilitate from injuries.
Pilates Reformer Machine and Pilates Exercises - Today
Today, Pilates is a popular and massively in-practice fitness method. More often than not, Pilates is offered at exclusive boutique studios, fitness clubs, wellness retreats, community centers, and physical therapy clinics. But that doesn't mean you can't get a Pilates reformer machine for your home gym.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a full-body and low-impact workout that promotes stability, strength, posture, balance, and flexibility. Furthermore, Pilates exercises also improve body control, awareness, and alignment. All of this helps you move with ease and more fluidly in your daily routine.
Pilates exercises are done on a mat or on a Pilates reformer machine, Cadillac, or a Wunda Chair. What's more is all of these pieces of equipment use springs for introducing resistance via a full range of motion and without stressing joints.
Who is Pilates for?
Pilates is a versatile form of fitness workout for benefiting a massive range of people from all levels of expertise - from beginners to advanced. Pilates offers exercises for beginner levels, elite athletes, rehab, and also for children and seniors. Furthermore, people with disabilities and post-natal clients can also benefit from Pilates.
With plenty of options in the form of exercise modifications and reformer machine equipment for increasing or decreasing the challenge levels, Pilates is the right option for you. Furthermore, Pilates exercises are adjustable for meeting the individual needs and abilities of the user. Pilates is ideal for delivering an effective and safer workout for everyone.
Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Pilates
Pilates is supported by a growing body of scientific research, which iterates the fact that a Pilates workout provides multiple benefits to mental and physical health.
Let's discuss a few below:
Better Core Strength
Pilates workouts target the lower back, abdominal, pelvic floor, and hip muscles, all of which lead to improving physical stability and strength. Furthermore, Pilates also reduces the risks of back pain in addition to pelvic floor dysfunction.
Reinforced Posture and Flexibility
Pilates focuses on reinforcing and strengthening the trunk extensor muscles, which support the alignment of the vertebral column, consequently facilitating a better posture. Several exercises on the Pilates reformer machine improve mobility, balance, flexibility, and joint range of motion.
Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention
Pilates has become a widely respected tool in physical therapy, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. Some studies deem Pilates an effective treatment for scoliosis and back pain. All of this in addition to the prevention of injuries in seniors, adults, and athletes.
Better Coordination and Quality of Life
Pilates also improves balance and gait performance in the elderly, all thanks to its positive effects on trunk stabilization, static and dynamic balance, in addition to core activation. Furthermore, Pilates is also found to improve people's moods and quality of life. Moreover, Pilates is often used as a fall prevention training for enhancing balance ability.
Increased Sports Performance
Pilates with a core emphasis on:
- Agility
- Balance
- Mobility
- Flexibility
Strengthening of the deep stabilizing muscles (around the torso and joints) is highly beneficial for cross-training athletes in a wide range of sports types. This emphasis on Pilates exercises is given owing to its proven impacts on performance and injury prevention benefits.
