The Best Pilates Reformer of 2023

10 Best Pilates Reformer

The PILATES training method is gentle but extremely efficient, meets the needs of our modern life, can be used regardless of age and fitness level, is easy to integrate into everyday life and improves the quality of life in a sustainable way. Pull the navel to the spinal column, tighten the pelvic floor, bring the pelvis into a neutral position, exhale when the muscles are tense, done – your body’s “power centre” is activated. Strengthening the deep-seated muscles in the middle of the body is the basic idea of the PILATES method. From a basic position, you train from head to toe and in gentle, slow movements the muscles of the stomach, leg and buttocks are strengthened and relaxed. Concentration on one’s own body is of particular importance. Every exercise requires full attention, is performed in a controlled, fluent manner and with proper breathing.

PILATES AND YOGA – WHAT IS BEHIND IT?

Both types of training focus not only on physical well-being, but also on mental well-being, but differ in their execution – and their development. While yoga is thousands of years old and is regarded as a philosophical doctrine, Pilates was invented by the German Joseph Hubert Pilates during the First World War. He wanted to improve his own weak constitution – he suffered from asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever as a child – and later offered soldiers, among other things, a holistic body training program to train weaker muscle groups and improve posture.

Both Yoga and Pilates involve the flow of breath into the training. However, the movement systems use different breathing techniques:

During the Pilates workout, the nose inhales and the mouth exhales.
In yoga exercises, breathing is almost exclusively through the nose.
Breathing also plays a greater role in yoga – it also helps to relax the mind. In contrast to Pilates, yoga exercises are not repeated several times, they are usually held as long as possible.

 

PILATES AND YOGA – WHY YOGA?

If you want to practise yoga, you should not only practice it with your body, but also with your head. This holistic workout is nothing for those who want to switch off during physical exercise. Yoga is a form of meditation in which different positions are additionally taken that alternate between relaxation and tension. It is important to concentrate on breathing and a kind of presence, even with the greatest effort. The hull in particular is trained, but yoga is also perfect as a warm-up workout in front of other sports such as jogging and biking. Yoga courses for skiers are now also offered.
Choose yoga when you’re looking for a relaxed workout that gives you the opportunity to focus on other things than just training. Especially people with poor health can use yoga to pave the way for further sporting activities.

 

PILATES AND YOGA – WHY PILATES?

While in yoga one pauses again and again and stays in certain positions, Pilates training consists of flowing movements and repetitive exercises that merge into each other. Shortly after its creation, Pilates training was therefore particularly popular with dancers. Pilates was created to train the whole body and improve posture. Not only the different muscle groups (especially those that are rarely used elsewhere) are used, but also the mind. Anyone who hopes for flexibility and a defined body will reach their goal through regular Pilates training. Dancers and athletes in particular can use Pilates to prepare their bodies for more strenuous workouts or strength training and intensify their general training.
There are Pilates courses that only take place on mats – the matwork. And there are also individual and small group sessions in which the reformers are used: Wooden frame with wire rope hoists and steel springs as resistance transmitter. Joseph Pilates once developed the original reformer in British captivity as a prisoner of war. It was originally designed as a rehabilitation device for injured soldiers and was constructed from bed springs, bed frames and rope systems. Joseph Pilates then called the training “Contrology”.

 

PILATES + YOGA – Yogilates

For those who cannot decide, there is also a solution: Yogilates! This is a mixture of both disciplines, combining exercises and movements from both disciplines. Yogilates combines relaxation through (Hatha-)Yoga exercises and with strengthening elements from Pilates that strengthen the back, abdominal and pelvic muscles. The whole is connected to a flowing workout, which also includes breathing and balance exercises. The movement patterns are faster than in yoga, which also stimulates circulation and promotes cardiovascular endurance.

No matter what you decide in the end: Make sure to have yourself introduced as a newcomer by a trained trainer or teacher. In this way you avoid learning exercises and positions incorrectly or hurting yourself. In this case, you will definitely lose your desire – whether for yoga or Pilates.

 

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