5 benefits of reformer Pilates

Want to know 5 benefits of reformer Pilates? Read on…

Far from the slow-paced, minimal-effort practice it’s sometimes made out to be, a good reformer Pilates session will get you sweating, strengthening and stretching muscles you never even knew existed. But the benefits don’t stop there. We got chatting to Lucy Thirsk, instructor at Bootcamp Pilates, to find out more. ‘The benefits of Pilates are great,’ she said. ‘As Joseph Pilates once said: ‘the Pilates method of body conditioning develops the body uniformly, corrects posture, restores vitality, invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit.’ Here are the main benefits of reformer Pilates.

Helps to correct imbalances
‘Pilates is known to help correct imbalances in your body by concentrating on realignment of muscles, stretching some while strengthening others,’ Lucy says. ‘This is extremely beneficial, especially as most individuals have desk jobs and spend most of their days sitting staring at a computer screen, becoming increasingly more hunched over with rounded shoulders.’

Great for increasing energy
‘One of the principles of Pilates is breathing,’ says Lucy. ‘Everyone breathes without thinking, so why is this given such a major focus during classes? The reason is because by learning to breathe efficiently and fully, it increases your lung capacity. With a larger lung capacity, the body is able to take in more oxygen and, when combined with glucose, produces energy. The more energy produced the better the individuals will feel!’

Fabulous arms
Looking to tackle those bingo wings? Pilates can help with that, too. ‘Pilates isn’t just about improving the abs, it is a full body workout with great results on arms,’ maintains Lucy. ‘A lot of people notice the change in their arms before anything else. This is because a lot of the exercises include the arms, as you have to hold your own body weight to complete the exercises. I think it’s a sneaky byproduct of Pilates!’

Improves flexibility
Perhaps one of its best known benefits, Pilates is known to improve flexibility. ‘Nearly all of the exercises conducted will help with your flexibility,’ says Lucy. ‘It concentrates on all muscle groups, not just the large global muscles, which is what happens in other sports. So this is a good reason to incorporate Pilates into your exercise regime.’

Stress relief
‘An hour of Pilates will help your stress levels,’ maintains Lucy. ‘If you attend a class, whether it is an equipment or mat class, it will help you focus your mind on yourself. You are there to follow instructions with no added distractions. It’s good way to unwind after a busy day at work.’