Exercising on a mat is mainly about establishing a proper exercise routine.
It is aimed at learning the proper movement patterns, eliminating muscle imbalance, employing three-dimensional (lateral) breathing, maintaining an upright posture, and understanding and strengthening the pelvic muscles. It is about using one’s mind to achieve inner peace and relax and gain a better understanding of one’s body and thus establish a positive relationship with movement.
We use a number of variations and aids to keep things interesting, but above all to achieve a more efficient muscle work and understanding of our body, such as exercise ball, resistance bands, sliding discs, Twist balls, and Barre – using horizontal bar combining the elements of ballet, toning, and focusing on the core muscles with the help of music.
Reformers are among the most popular Pilates machines. This sophisticated machine combines the system of springs, pulleys, ropes, and a sliding platform.
Springs and pulleys provide progressive resistance, and muscle mass produces both eccentric and concentric contractions which is an important stimulator for proper muscle function. When using the reformer, the internal muscles called stabilisers work isometrically, helping to stabilise the body and maintain balance.
Exercising on a reformer is a terrific experience and it constitutes another milestone in discovering Pilates. The reformer utilises various aids that help diversify exercising on a reformer, such as jumpboard, zenga triangle, boxing, and more. We use two types of reformers in our studio: a classic horizontal reformer and a reformer with vertical tower, which has many springs and can be used for almost the entire repertoire of exercises from Cadillac. The springs adapt to the clients’ level and the specific body part they are working on.
The Cadillac is the largest of the Pilates apparatuses. It resembles a four-poster twin bed, raised off the floor and outfitted with a variety of metal eyelets, springs, a wooden grab bar, and even something called a “Trapeze” attachment. The Cadillac is extremely versatile.
Positioned on the integrated Mat, the client holds either handles or the grab bar attached to springs of varying tension (light or heavy). The client can also place their feet inside loops that attach to springs to work the lower body.In fact, these two apparatuses are ideal for beginning students as well as those who are recovering from injuries. There’s very little pressure on the joints because your body weight is supported by the Mat portion of the apparatus. In addition, the ideal range of motion in the Cadillac and Tower exercises is moderate so as not to over-stretch the joints. Many of the exercises are performed in a seated position or lying down face up, which is grounding both physically and mentally, a plus for those who get dizzy or have a fear of heights.
So if you’re looking for appealing visual changes as well as delicious feeling exercises, the Cadillac and Tower are for you. The exercises are challenging, you will feel them!