Fitness has always been a hobby in flux, with trends coming and going every year. Throughout this time, Pilates has remained a mainstay for many people who have discovered that other forms of exercise don’t quite achieve the same things they can get from reformer Pilates classes.
Now more than ever, Reformer Pilates has gained widespread popularity and has a significant role in the future of fitness. Pilates is leading the way in adaptive fitness that is accessible to a wide range of people. If you have never considered Pilates, there is no better time to try!
Here are a few reasons why Reformer Pilates has become so popular and will continue to grow into the future.
Suitable for Athletes of All Types
One of the most significant factors that has contributed to the popularity of Pilates and greater general awareness is that athletes across multiple sports and sectors are now using it.
Some of the most famous athletes who regularly incorporate Pilates into their training regimens include:
- Dwayne Wade
- Antonio Brown
- Tiger Woods
- LeBron James
- Tom Brady
- Missy Franklin
- Kerry Walsh-Jennings
Celebrities also enjoy Pilates to help them stay in shape for the demands of the roles they play. Everyone from Lady Gaga and Cameron Diaz to Reese Witherspoon and Miley Cyrus has found their stride in Pilates because it improves strength, stability, flexibility, and movement while reducing the risk of injury.
The Advantages of the Reformer
Another reason Pilates is such a booming trend is that the reformer offers many advantages that other types of exercises find difficult to match. The mechanics of the reformer lend themselves to adaptability so people of all ability levels can benefit.
The reformer is a carriage machine with a platform that can slide along a rail, providing many exercise options. Additionally, the carriage is bound to springs, which dictates how difficult (or easy) moving on the machine is.
This adjustability means that someone who needs support due to injury, movement limitations, or other challenges can embrace Pilates just as well as someone who has been doing these exercises for years.
Other benefits of the reformer include:
- Improving overall health through increased heart rate and muscle development
- Boosting stability in the core, which can improve posture and back pain
- Providing low-impact exercises that reduce strain on joints
The Power of Community
One factor of Pilates that only some people consider is its sense of community. Pilates focuses on personal improvement, both physically and mentally, and having a community of like-minded individuals striving toward their goals can serve as excellent support. Participants often find encouragement from others in the same class, and instructors are also actively encouraging.
Participants in Pilates have been shown to see growth in their self-perception, contributing to better mental health. This can be tied at least in part to the community built upon regular classes, active participation, and a lack of judgment toward others during workouts.
A One-Stop Option for Workouts
While Reformer Pilates has many advantages, perhaps the biggest reason it has surged in popularity is that people realize it is their one-stop shop for exercise. Pilates works the full range of muscles, from the core to the arms, legs, and even neck.
For many people, this is a significant advantage. No more traveling between gyms, each with its own few machines; while one location might have treadmills, they may lack a rower, which another location has.
Instead, Pilates uses a person’s body weight and the reformer’s support to offer a range of exercises that can target almost any muscle a person aims for.
In addition, because the reformer is a low-impact exercise option, participants can enjoy the benefits of exercise without straining their joints. Rather than running, people can strengthen their legs, knees, and ankles through regular stretching and resistance exercises in Pilates.
And yes, Pilates even increases lung capacity and endurance! So, high-impact exercises such as jogging can replace Reformer Pilates for those interested.
Try Reformer Pilates at RTR Pilates
No one can predict what the future will bring, but we are confident that Pilates will continue to be a part of it! This form of exercise offers too many advantages for it to be ignored.
Whether you already know how a reformer works or have never encountered one, our skilled instructors will help you adjust the machine and guide you through proper form as you build strength, stability, and flexibility.
Contact RTR Pilates today to sign up for a beginner class or ask questions about how the process works!
