KAWARTHA LAKES-While many people have heard of Pilates-and witnessed the amazing benefits that come from practicing this form of exercise-so many have not heard of the Pilates Reformer machine. As of January 6th, there will be small group Reformer Pilates classes available in Lindsay, Ontario in my own home studio! So I am very excited to tell you all about the amazing benefits of using this machine.
Joseph Pilates invented the very first Reformer Pilates machine back in World War 1, when he worked as a physiotherapist assistant and nurse, rehabbing injured soldiers. He experimented with this new apparatus by attaching springs to hospital beds, so that patients could start recovering their muscle-tone even while they were still bed-ridden. In their early incarnation, the Pilates Reformer was shaped like a sliding bed and used springs as resistance.
Today, there are many Pilates’ machines, but my favourite of them all is the Reformer. Reformer Pilates is often considered more dynamic and intense than mat Pilates because the exercises are performed through greater ranges of motion and involve resistance that is applied from a spring system.
At one time, Reformer Pilates was only practised by professional athletes and dancers, however as Pilates grows in popularity as a fitness class, now everyone can enjoy it’s benefits. Working out on the Reformer has helped many people improve their posture, flexibility, and core strength. It is also being used in Physiotherapy clinics to reduce pain and rehabilitate injuries.
My first introduction to this wonderful machine was when I worked as a Kinesiologist in Toronto in a very busy physiotherapy clinic. As I practiced Reformer and took my teacher training, and as I saw my patients getting better, faster, I quickly fell in love with this mode of training and therapy.
As a former competitive runner, I was a musculoskeletal mess. My body had developed numerous imbalances, my skeleton had developed chronic pain, and my core strength & balance lacked the tune-up they desperately needed. I found Reformer Pilates to be gentle and low impact, while being challenging enough to keep me stimulated and focused.
In fact, one of the first things I noticed, is that in Pilates, you can’t “zone out”, you need to focus on the precision and control of every single movement. As an ex-runner, this was an entirely new concept to me. I experienced some amazing results and can say that I am far stronger, more balanced, and pain free today!
After moving to Kawartha Lakes a year and a half ago, I decided that we needed a Reformer Studio and so I am proud to bring you Reformer Pilates this January.
I currently have 4 machines, so you get an intimate setting-much like personal training-and a lot of guidance from your coach. Because there are only 4 machines, you must book in advance, and classes will fill up, so we do have an online booking system where you can sign up with ease online to hold your machine.
Since I am a registered health professional, you can be sure you are getting a very balanced workout that has many therapeutic benefits, while also making you toned, strong, and flexible.
I hope to have the privilege of helping you to achieve your body goals in 2019! To save your spot in class, please visit http://www.sweathappywellness.com.
Becky Sheehey is a Holistic Health Coach, and a Pilates and Movement Expert with a background in Kinesiology. She lives in Lindsay.
