Pilates Equipment To Scale Your Workout
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Chris Jensen
Chris Jensen is a contributing Author of Jetfly Blog. For more related articles and reviews visit Jetfly Electronic Gadgets Blog now. Also, for the Best up-to-date related Online Products, check out Jetfly Sim Cards Shop for Todays Current Online Deals. By Chris Jensen
Published on 10/28/2008
Pilates is becoming a widely recognised form of exercise which can help improve your general wellbeing as well as correct many posture problems which lead to aches and pains.
The exercise regime was devised by Joseph Pilates after a life time of studying how to improve well being by improving core strength and posture. Your core strength lies in your abdominal muscles, pelvic muscles and back muscles.
The Pilates reformer is probably the piece of equipment that you most associate with the discipline. This is a large and bulky piece of apparatus which involves many springs, straps and pulleys. It does look a little like a medieval rack to be used for torture.
The reformer is a complex piece of Pilates equipment and not the sort of thing that you should be allowed to use in the gym without a session of structured classes with a qualified trainer. At the centre of the reformer there is a gliding platform which is used in conjunction with the springs and pulleys to move your body with the assistance of various muscle groups. It will straighten your body as you exercise, keeping your core central and making sure that your body is aligned.
In the 1920s, Joseph Pilates devised the Magic Circle. This is used in combination with structured exercises to improve tone, co-ordination, strength and balance. There are modern Pilates rings which are based on the same principle as Joseph Pilates Magic Circle but are constructed of materials more suitable for safety and ease of use.
Their modern design also enables them to be manufactured from more economically viable materials. As with all Pilates equipment, you will need to have some training on the ring either in a class or at home with a DVD.
Another piece of Pilates equipment that bears a resemblance to a medieval torture rack, possibly even more so that the reformer, is the Cadillac. These also come complete with straps and springs but this time there is no gliding seat.
It is all based around a couch with an overhead frame, not dissimilar to a four poster bed but without any of the nice comfortable mattress and pretty drapes. Again, when used under supervision and as part of a training plan, this will help align your body whilst working on your core muscles.
There are other pieces of Pilates equipment which are much more viable for use in the home. A large soft ball is often used in exercises and it is possible to have a plan which will only involve the use of a mat. If you invest in some sessions at the local leisure centre you will soon be able to practice the exercises at home. There are also a number of Pilates DVDs which can easily be bought from either the local book store or on the internet.
The Pilates reformer is probably the piece of equipment that you most associate with the discipline. This is a large and bulky piece of apparatus which involves many springs, straps and pulleys. It does look a little like a medieval rack to be used for torture.
The reformer is a complex piece of Pilates equipment and not the sort of thing that you should be allowed to use in the gym without a session of structured classes with a qualified trainer. At the centre of the reformer there is a gliding platform which is used in conjunction with the springs and pulleys to move your body with the assistance of various muscle groups. It will straighten your body as you exercise, keeping your core central and making sure that your body is aligned.
In the 1920s, Joseph Pilates devised the Magic Circle. This is used in combination with structured exercises to improve tone, co-ordination, strength and balance. There are modern Pilates rings which are based on the same principle as Joseph Pilates Magic Circle but are constructed of materials more suitable for safety and ease of use.
Their modern design also enables them to be manufactured from more economically viable materials. As with all Pilates equipment, you will need to have some training on the ring either in a class or at home with a DVD.
Another piece of Pilates equipment that bears a resemblance to a medieval torture rack, possibly even more so that the reformer, is the Cadillac. These also come complete with straps and springs but this time there is no gliding seat.
It is all based around a couch with an overhead frame, not dissimilar to a four poster bed but without any of the nice comfortable mattress and pretty drapes. Again, when used under supervision and as part of a training plan, this will help align your body whilst working on your core muscles.
There are other pieces of Pilates equipment which are much more viable for use in the home. A large soft ball is often used in exercises and it is possible to have a plan which will only involve the use of a mat. If you invest in some sessions at the local leisure centre you will soon be able to practice the exercises at home. There are also a number of Pilates DVDs which can easily be bought from either the local book store or on the internet.