What's the Difference Between Reformer and Mat Pilates Classes?

So you’ve had someone tell you to start Pilates, but just like when it comes to eating super foods like Kale, you are a little worried. It looks a little funny, can be a bit pricey at times and you really have no idea what good it will do you? Well, after reading this, hopefully you will have more insight into what Pilates is, what the difference is between Mat and Reformer Classes, and you will realise that you should definitely spend your hard earned cash on a Pilates class instead of Kale.

What is Pilates and Why Should You and Everyone You know Do it?

The main aim of our classes at Pilates HQ are to improve your overall strength and endurance of your stabilising muscles (deep abdominals, pelvic floor, gluteals and shoulder stabilisers, just to name a few), teach you how to move your body efficiently and effectively, improve your body awareness and your posture and help you teach your muscles to do their job most efficiently.

The great thing about Pilates is that you learn how to move your body efficiently and appropriately, the way you learnt to move as an infant. And it is done in a gentle and low impact way enabling many people, who may find other forms of exercise too rigorous or taxing on their bodies, to get themselves moving again.

So now that you know what Pilates is all about and why we love it so much, the next question is…

What is the difference between Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates and What the **** is a Reformer?

MAT PILATES

Mat/Floor Pilates – Is just as it sounds; Pilates exercises that are performed on the floor or on a mat. The Repertoire can be performed with little to no equipment and only requires you to be able to get on and off the floor without too much difficulty.

Mat Pilates teaches you the basics of Pilates and in some clients is the perfect place to start to teach alignment and posture, as well as activation of your deep abdominals and control of your movement.

However, Mat Pilates is not for everyone, some people find that is quite difficult to get onto and off the floor, some can’t place much weight through their hands and knees and others find that they prefer a little more resistance. And in these instances, Reformer Pilates Classes are often the way to go.

REFORMER PILATES

Reformer Pilates uses the same principles of movement and postural alignment, but is performed on a Pilates Reformer, as seen below. The Reformer, may look like a medieval torture machine, with hooks and ropes and springs everywhere, but once you know your way around them they will no doubt be your new favourite exercise machine.

So what is a reformer? Well, it is basically a large base/frame with a small cushioned bed (called the carriage) which slides up and down producing your movement. The Carriage has springs attached from it to the frame, which resist it’s movement, these springs are all weighted differently, and we use combinations of these springs to make the exercises harder or easier. Finally you have ropes with handles on the end of them, which act as a pulley system, you place your hands or your feet in these straps to produce different movements allowing us to both strengthen and stretch our bodies.

Pilates Reformer

So now that you know what the scary looking wooden contraptions are that line our studio, now the question is... what the hell do you do on them and why do people rave about them so much?

Reformer Pilates Classes, are actually quite similar to mat Pilates classes, the difference being, in a reformer class you are able to add resistance to certain exercises via the springs, challenging your strength and your muscles a little more.. You also have the ability to make certain exercises easier by using the springs to assist you, teaching you movement patterns with less stress and strain on the body.

Why do we love the Reformer and Pilates Reformer Classes? Well, whilst we like teaching Mat exercises, we love the versatility and variety that comes with creating a Pilates Reformer Class. We love that we can add resistance to make your legs and arms work harder, and that we can put the straps aside and use exercises from our Matwork repertoire in the same class. And most of all we love that we can adjust the springs to make one exercise available for multiple ability levels within the same class.

So there you have it…Reformer and Mat Pilates, may have some small differences, but ultimately it comes down to what you and your body prefer doing. And whilst we may be a little bias in telling you that we love Reformer Pilates, we respect that everyone is a little different, so the only way to really find out if Reformer Pilates is for you, is to give it a go for yourself.

Steph & The Pilates HQ Team

HQ INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT

LAUREN RACKLEY - PILATES INSTRUCTOR & SPORTS AND REMEDIAL THERAPIST

This little pocket rocket Lauren Rackley has been teaching at Pilates HQ for almost one year now, and my what a year it has been.

Lauren started teaching Pilates because she thought it would compliment her career as a sports and remedial therapist. She also believes that Pilates is an important tool in correcting dysfunctional muscle patterning, and creating a healthy mindset.

Lauren has the innate ability to push you beyond what you thought was capable. 
And what Lauren loves most about teaching Pilates is watching her clients discover that their body is way more capable than they give it credit for.

Lauren is the muscle behind our early morning HIT classes and our 6 week challenge, and I am sure her clients will agree, that although she is a bit of a task master, her classes will always have you leaving with a smile on your face... and maybe a bit of muscle soreness in a couple days time.

5 Key Ingredients to the Perfect Pilates Posture

Any one that has been to a Pilates Class before knows that there is a lot to think about if you want to achieve the Perfect Pilates posture. Tuck this under, stick this out, suck that in…. oh and don’t forget to breathe. It can all get a bit confusing, and sometimes overwhelming, especially if it is your first time in a Reformer Class. New machine, new space, new people and new posture…woah. Well, I am going to try to make it all a bit simpler and break it down into 5 Key Points.

When setting up your posture, the easiest way to make sure you have everything in check, is by doing a little body scan. So, lets start at the top shall we?

Start lying on your back with your knees slightly bent and feet on the floor and let’s scan from the head and neck first.

1.       Head and Neck Position

Gently tuck your chin towards your chest, as if you are holding a peach between your chin and your chest. You just want to hold the peach softly without squishing it.

Then imagine that your head is a helium balloon, and think of your head just gently floating above your shoulders

2.       Shoulder Position

With your arms resting by your side, reach your finger tips towards your toes letting your shoulder blades reach down your back. Then shrug the shoulder blades towards your ears. Once you have done this find a resting place half way between the two of these positions

Next gently open out through the front of your chest and feel the backs of the shoulders sink down into the floor.

3.       Rib Cage Position

Try to imagine that you have some heavy books resting on your ribs and let the base of your ribs sink into contact with the floor.

4.       Lower back position – Neutral Spine

To Find your neutral spine keep everything else nice and still and then gently flatten your lower back into the floor, reaching your tail bone to the ceiling. Then arch your lower back pressing your tail bone to the floor, creating space between your lower back and the floor. Once You have found these two positions come and rest half way in between, in Neutral Spine.

5.       Hip, knee and foot position

Finally, with a slight bend in the knees, try to make a nice straight line from your hip to your knee to your foot on both sides. And try to have your weight nice and even through both feet.

Once You have done all of this you have found your Perfect Pilates Posture, and it is time to activate those deep abdominals… and Breathe. But, that’s a lesson for another day.

This may seem like information overload to begin with, but I promise you, if you practice this, it will all become second nature soon enough.

Next thing you know you’ll be strutting the streets of Buninyong with the best posture ever!

Steph & The Pilates HQ Team

HQ CLIENT LOVE

The one thing we love most about seeing everyone's smiling faces  in class each week, is when we see people achieve something they didn’t think they could, or when we see how much people have improved since they first walked through our doors.

This month we would like to shine the spotlight on one of our HQ clients, Suanne Murdoch, and everything that she has achieved since starting Pilates Classes with us.

Suanne started coming to our classes around nine months ago with the aim of improving her posture and helping her aching shoulders. She began with beginner exercises, learning how to activate her deep abdominals and trying to get both legs into table top (in the air). Suanne has attended classes once a week, almost religiously since her very first session and in this time has improved so much.

In the nine months that Suanne has been coming to Pilates HQ, she has gone from attending beginner classes once a week, to now, being able to jump into an intermediate class, when the time suits. 

We had a chat to Suanne recently to ask her a few questions about her Pilates Journey so far.

 Why did you start Pilates?

 I was having trouble with my shoulders and lower back at work because I work at a desk all day. 

How long have you been doing Pilates for?

I started in March/ April this year.

What is your favourite thing about coming to classes at Pilates HQ?

 The laughs, comfortable environment, the new challenges every class brings and Steph for her caring nature and knowledge. Thank you. 

 What has kept you interested in Pilates and why do you keep coming back to class each week?

 Comfortable environment, the small personal sized classes, the challenges each class brings and the feeling of accomplishment at the end of a class.

 What improvements have you noticed since coming along to Pilates Classes regularly? 

I can now get through a day at work without aching shoulders. I can get my legs into table top with no problems (this was impossible when l first started). The other bonus for me has been, l have dropped a dress size. This wasn't my aim but a great result. 

Anything else you want to add about your Pilates Journey so far?

I have felt very comfortable and at Ease at Pilates HQ. Thank you.

 

Well Done Suanne!

Who, What and Why, you should come to Pilates HQ.

Who is Pilates HQ For?

What is the first thing that pops into your head when you think of someone that does Pilates? Is it a tall long limbed female, in lycra who is all too flexible, and is seen modelling the latest Lorna Jane or Lululemon threads?

Well, you may be right. I am sure there are plenty of people that do Pilates that look and fit this description. But if you walk into Pilates HQ, you will soon realise, especially once you see my short stature, that this stereotypical Pilates persona is just that, a stereotype.

Pilates at Pilates HQ is for anyone and everyone, you don’t have to be stick thin, flexible or a female to do it, you just have to be willing to give it a go.

What is Pilates like at Pilates HQ?

At Pilates HQ, we concentrate on teaching individuals to learn how to move their body and to build strength throughout all ranges of their movement. We aim to help you become more aware of your body and how it moves and feels, so you can learn to transfer this awareness into other aspects of your life (work postures, other sporting activities etc.).

Our classes aim to provide a full body, dynamic workout that is suited to your individual level of fitness and Pilates prowess. We aim to gradually progress the difficulty of your exercises week to week as your technique improves so that you remain challenged and motivated throughout your time at Pilates HQ.

Why come to Pilates HQ?

At Pilates HQ, we are focused on you and how you feel, not what your body looks like.

To us Pilates is not about getting that bikini body or those washboard abs, it is about providing your body with the strength, movement and flexibility that you need in order to be fit and healthy. To us, a Pilates HQ class is about spending some time on yourself, doing something you enjoy and will bring a smile to your face.

At Pilates HQ, we don’t care what size, shape, height or sex you are. We don’t care if you wear Lorna Jane or Kmart active wear.

To us, you are all Pilates Gods and Goddesses.

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN THE STUDIO SOON.

STEPH & THE PILATES HQ TEAM

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST PILATES HQ REFORMER CLASS?

It can be daunting and scary thinking of starting something new, venturing into a new environment with people you don't know and machine's that look like they may be some form of medieval torture device.

Everyone who has walked into a new gym or studio has felt this way at some point. Perhaps if you knew what to expect before your first class, this experience would be a little less daunting.

Your First Visit to Pilates HQ

When you walk in the door you’ll see 7 Reformers, all lined up in rows and will be greeted with a smile from your Pilates Instructor. You will be asked to fill in a small pre-exercise questionnaire, so we can find out a little bit about you, and will be shown the Reformers. We will then explain a little about the Reformer and how to use it.  If you forget, it’s not an issue, because the instructor will be there throughout the class to help you along. The Reformer Classes run smoothly from start to finish aiming to get you moving and working on each area of your body.

The Class

You will probably feel a bit strange gliding up and down on the reformer for the first time, and will no doubt feel somewhat vulnerable the first time you put your legs in the straps. Don’t worry though. I guarantee you that everyone in the class is remembering back to the first time they did these same things and feeling reassured that they aren’t the only ones that found it weird and awkward.

BUT you will be comforted by the fact that the other people in your class were all once in your position.

And YES they did came back a second, third, maybe even tenth time.

 And YES they now look very comfortable on these strange machines.

And YES, this will be you in no time!

The longer the class goes on the more you will get used to the way the Reformer works and you will soon realise that the sweet Pilates Instructor who greeted you at the start of your class, is not as sweet as they seemed.

You will leave your class at Pilates HQ, surprised that such small movements could leave your muscles trembling.  You will feel energised and invigorated and will be excited to book your next visit, or two or three or more.

Soon enough you will be the person making those once weird and awkward movements look easy, smooth and fluid.

So come on in and try your very first class at Pilates HQ, I guarantee you we will try to make your Pilates journey as enjoyable as possible.

We can’t wait to see you soon.

Steph & The Pilates HQ Team