Pilates Reformer

It's been so long since I've written a post. I guess I haven't been much in a writing mood the past couple of weeks. I was sick for awhile after the Austin trip and I've just been focused on training trying to get ready for Gulf Coast in two weeks. I've been pretty slow at replying to my emails, also, which is really a bad thing. I've got my first race of the tri season this Sunday in St. Petersburg. It should be a fun race and a fun trip. I promise a race report.

I thought I'd write a post on the Pilates Reformer. Those of you that follow my tweets have seen me mention this before and may be wondering what I'm talking about. The reformer is a piece of equipment that is used to add variety and intensity to a pilates workout. The reformer can also be used to assist you in doing an exercise that you might not have been able to do unaided so that you can build up the strength needed. Now I'm sure some of you are asking "what is pilates?" Pilates is a form of movement that strengthens the whole body by focusing on breathing, proper alignment, and core strength. Some of you are thinking that sounds a lot like yoga and you would be correct. There is a lot of yoga in pilates, and they can be quite complimentary. There is also a lot of pilates in strength training methods and the core workouts that have become so popular.

So what exactly is the reformer? It is basically a long frame with 4 legs, a platform that slides along the frame, ropes with straps that are attached to the platform and run through pulleys on the frame, and a variety of springs that attach the platform to the frame. There is a bar on one end and shoulder pads on the platform. The springs are a variety of tensions and can be used to increase or decrease resistance.

In the exercise shown in the photo, it's actually harder to do with less resistance. You start in the piked position and push the carriage away to come in to the plank. To get back, you have to use the core muscles to pull the carriage back. If you are using more springs then they will help you get back, less springs means it's all about the core. FYI - this exercise with the lightest spring possible will make you cry.

Now that you know all about the reformer, you may be wondering why I'm doing this. Actually, I had an opportunity to use a reformer years ago and I did pilates before I started practicing yoga so it's not a reach. My gym has reformers and I've been interested in using them. I've lost a significant amount of muscle in recent years - most likely due to the decrease in quantity and intensity of my yoga practice - and that muscle loss is affecting both my swim and likely my weight. Those of you that know me are probably thinking that I'm crazy, that I have plenty of muscle and strength, and compared to most people, you would be right. I am a naturally strong person, and what I consider weak most people have to work to get to. All that means is that my baseline is higher, it's still all relative, and I've come to realize that my body likes muscle. I do everything better when I am very strong, but I don't put on as much muscle by running, biking, swimming the way other people do. I also don't think that it's any coincidence that the strongest I've ever been also coincides with the thinnest I've ever been. You might be wondering why I don't just increase the yoga, and the truth is that I just haven't found a teacher that I love here in Gainesville. I practice on my own as much as I ever did, which is daily, but I'm not taking the 1.5 hour classes three times a week. I've been doing a fair amount of strength conditioning on my own, but consistency has been an issue. I decided that since I wasn't spending money on yoga classes that I would go ahead and start taking reformer classes.

I started last September going once a week. I figured this was a good time since I was training for Ironman and I would have to do at least one session at a beginners level. By the time I would be ready to pick up the intensity, Ironman would be over. It almost worked that way except the holidays got in the way so I ended up at a Level 1 longer than I needed to be. By January, I was in an advanced class with a new teacher, and taking classes twice a week. The classes are only 4 people so it's very personalized, and I've had the same group with me. My teacher has been kicking our butts and that's a good thing. She just keeps upping the ante. Just when you think you are getting good at something, she changes it up completely and it's like starting over. I love it! The other women think I'm nuts because we would all be collapsing in sweaty heaps and our teacher would ask how we liked the exercise and I would reply that it was awesome, and I laugh - alot. The harder something is, the more I laugh. It's better than groaning. They still think I'm nuts, but they've gotten used to me by now. Incidentally, my teacher now considers our class a Level 3. We are losing a few people for the summer, though, so I'm kind of bummed.

So here it is, almost 4 months since I started at the higher intensity and I am definitely noticing a difference in my strength and flexibility. It's going to take a lot more time to get back what I lost, but I am well on my way and having fun doing it. Honestly, if I hadn't bought a new bike last year, I would seriously consider getting my own reformer. They are about the same price.

Here is a short video of some of the basic exercises that we do on the reformer.