The Pilates Method and the Pilates Reformer

Pilates is a full body workout system that integrates your body and mind into total fitness. Pilates was developed in the 1920’s during the Spanish Flu pandemic by Joseph H. Pilates, a fitness and conditioning enthusiast born in Germany on 1883. The Pilates method includes more than 500 exercises that condition the whole body as well as engage the mind.

The Pilates Reformer is a traditional piece of Pilates equipment which looks like a bed with springs, a sliding carriage, ropes and pulleys, designed by Joseph Pilates himself in the 1020’s. The Pilates reformer helps you to find length and space in the body while under spring tension, and includes exercises that promote core strength and stability, muscle control, and endurance. Trained and certified Pilates Reformer instructors take clients through a series of exercises that stress proper posture and movement patterns and teach proper breathing technique.

A Pilates Reformer workout can also be helpful in cross-training for sports, but it isn’t just for dancers or athletes. It’s an accessible, no-impact workout that is excellent for all ages and stages of life and is great for physical rehabilitation post injury or surgery.

‘Breath’ is one of the foundation principles in the Pilates method and is known as the ‘engine’ behind Pilates. Pilates can improve respiratory endurance, lung volumes and, inspiratory and expiratory flow rates.

The blend of resistance, strength and flexibility training offers one of the best overall workouts around.

While we follow the original Pilates method designed by Joseph Pilates, we also teach with creativity and bring the Pilates Reformer to life for each individual and each class. Sessions can be taught offering a slower approach to a more powerful “athletic” approach. We believe everybody should do Pilates.