Unlike many other forms of exercise, Pilates transforms you from the inside out! It is a whole-body workout. Not just a spot fix like basic calisthenics. Pilates focuses on training the small muscles that surround the large muscles. Therefore, you do not obtain bulk.

Pilates has been a mystery to many as they wonder what the benefits are, and basically what the point is. As you research Pilates, you can find basic common ways it has benefited others. But here I wanted to include some benefits you may not always think about.

It wasn’t until I started doing Pilates that its true purpose was revealed.

1. You are guaranteed to gain strength

Many people believe strength only comes from being physically able to lift heavy things. But that is not the case. True strength comes from being able to control your entire body. Have you ever tried to carry a box with your arms straight out? The box gets heavy quickly right? But if you hold the box closer to your body, it’s easier to control and move.

When we hold the box out in front of our body, our back begins to hurt, our neck gets stiff, and our arms are quickly tired. Does this mean we are weak?

NO, it means we are not working from the correct place. So instead of controlling the box, the box is controlling us.

Pilates teaches were to move from, and how to move to get the most out of the movement.

Strength comes from the inside out because we train the inner core of our bodies. This training allows us to create a strength that frees us from external pain.

So when you hear someone saying, Pilates healed me from my back pain. They are simply saying that Pilates taught them how to move correctly. As a result, their body was more in balance.

A consistent practitioner will develop an extreme amount of strength in the process. When I first started, People were commenting on my improved posture and the shape of my body.  I wasn’t looking to change my body, but I was experiencing extreme neck pain and was looking for relief.

At the time, I was bartending and thought I was extremely strong. I was lifting kegs and moving cases of wine and liquor daily. However,  my improper form was killing my back and neck. I was running to the chiropractor almost weekly.

When I eventually started Pilates, I did not dream of the relief I obtained. After a month, I stopped my Dr. visits and started feeling freedom like never before. I started using my core to build strength, not my extremities. This major mind shift was life-changing.

 2. Pilates can get you healthy

Movement heals, or at least that’s what the creator Joseph Pilates would say. I can only say this is true because I have experienced it. When I am practicing Pilates, I am less sick and I feel amazing.

When our immune systems are not having to fight battles that are not nessicary, it leaves room for them to fight the actual battle.

Before my switch to Pilates, I would go to the GYM and lift boring weights and spend dreadful hours on the elliptical. I would often come home feeling tired and sore. I was sick more often because my body was working so hard on healing what I had done to it. Overworking it to be healthy! My muscles were always fatigued and I never really felt that amazing energy boost that I received from Pilates.

3. Pilates gives you endurance

When practicing Pilates, each series of exercises builds on top of each other. As you advance and learn how to make the move more challenging, you will notice your breath becomes more controlled and you learn to use your breath as assistance for harder exercises. This in turn gives you an amazing amount of endurance.

The exercises start laying down and as you advance into the system you will complete the exercises kneeling to standing.

The idea is, that the ground gives you the most support, as you start to work the exercises more distal from the floor, you begin to battle gravity, balance, and stamina.

The Advanced system moves you through a series of continuously challenging movements. This flow provides a refreshing dose of endurance.

Sticking with Pilates, you will begin to feel cleansed, refreshed, joyful, and pain-free. Bold statements I know, but that has been my experience and many others I have trained.

4. Pilates can help you with pregnancy

Similar to the gaining strength question above, Pilates helps you move from the correct place, keeping the body safe from injuries, When we are pregnant, our body is changing rapidly and the weight being put on is challenging the bone structure. Performing Pilates exercises allows the muscles to develop around the joints protecting our bones during this transition.

Doing Pilates while pregnant has also been found to help heal faster after giving birth.

Because Pilates is a gentle approach to fitness, doctors have cleared their clients to practice while pregnant as long as the instructor knows the limitations of the pregnant body. Honestly, we instructors go through vigorous training for that purpose.

Pilates teaches you how to listen to your body, how to focus on the movements, and how to pay attention to the proper form. When you are in tune with your body, you know when to stop, when to push, and when the pain is not good. Check out How to identify if it’s good pain or bad pain.

5. Pilates can make you feel younger

Another famous quote from Joe was “your only as young as your spine is flexible.” He further explained. You can be 30 and feel like you are 60. The same is true of a 60-year-old who can feel as though they are 40. This philosophy comes from Joseph himself as he believed if you are continually moving and from the right place, you will feel young vibrant, and free. If not, often we feel in bondage to our limitations.

When Joe was in the internment camps none of the patients he was working with were sickened with the Spanish Flu. If you are interested in learning more about Joseph Pilates check out this book. It’s the first one I read years ago when I was studying to be an instructor.

There are many more benefits of Pilates, these are just a handful. I encourage you to try a few classes. The first one will be odd and uncomfortable. You will feel inadequate because the instruction is so detailed. THAT IS NORMAL! By the time you take your second class your mind will relax and know you are not there to torcher your body. 

Good Luck Beauty,

Stephanie 

What you should know about the AreoPilates Reformer!

Have you been practicing Pilates for a while and decided it’s time to purchase a home reformer? You may have run across the AreoPilates reformer and saw that it is reasonably priced and thought to pull the trigger on making the purchase.

I have been teaching Pilates in studios and personal homes for 11 years and have physically used almost all the machines on the market.

I had the privilege of training a woman for 3 years on the AreoPilates Pro X 556 machine in her home. I can personally give you the low down on whether this machine is any good or not.

Let me just say, it worked fine, she loved how her body felt and did get a good workout. However, we could have seen better results and faster if we had the upgraded model. The AreoPilates Pro XP557. The only reason I say this is due to the cable system. I feel the cables do not provide this same resistance as the springs in both directions.

Is the AreoPilates Reformer a good choice?

This reformer is a great option if you are looking for a minimal investment reformer.  The price point on this machine ranges from $499.00 to $1,500.00

If you are comparing a studio reformer to this machine, you are looking for a substantial difference in cost. However, there is a good reason for that! Quality of materials.  The studio reformers were made to Joseph Pilates’s original design allowing for the continued flow of movement. Many of the budget-friendly machines do not have ease of transition and do not use the same quality materials as the original design.

You get what you pay for! I will break down the differences later, but for now, when it comes to cost this machine is a good option.

If you are looking for a good workout and want a home machine and don’t need to stick to the traditional Pilates routine, then the AreoPilates machine will do just that!

It’s really about your preference. 

Are you used to the studio and LOVE the feel of the springs? If so you may miss the gentleness of the resistance in both directions if you choose the X 556 machine. This model is built on the cable system and sadly, there is a big difference in the workout! Not a deal-breaker but something to take note of if you go the cheapest route.  Stamina has created a “higher-end” reformer, the AreoPilates Pro XP557 that is more suitable for the Pilates practitioner. This machine comes equipped with springs and is priced closer to $1400.00. 

If you are classically trained, this machine will not allow you to complete the transitions you are used to, creating a disruption inflow. This actually is a big deal, because that is an important part of the workout itself and will not fulfill your needs. For example, you can not adjust the foot bar by foot and we found the hand/feet straps would sometimes get tangled. (They are ropes instead of leather straps.) Also, note the straps are hung by the shoulder rests. If you are using the reformer, you will have to put the straps on the floor. 

For someone on a strict budget, the AreoPilates reformer checks off many boxes.

Let’s take a look at some of the pros.

1. They come with a jumping trampoline. This is often extra for the Studio reformer.

2. If you choose the PRO X 556, there are 4 cables that you can adjust the resistance. If you decide on the PRO XP557 it is equipped with 4 springs that adjust at different levels.

3. You still have all the basic functions as a studio reformer, so you can do the beloved leg circles.

4. Can do all the exercises you are familiar with.

5. Have a steal frame!

6. You have the ability to upgrade both models.

Keep in mind, AreoPilates Reformers are in the budget category of reformers. If you ever dreamed about owning a reformer and being able to work out at home on your off days at the studio, this could be your new best friend.

I remember purchasing my first reformer and was really sad that what I choose was not close enough to what I had experienced at the studio. You can see my review of those reformers here.

My 1st reformer was too close to the ground. This is an important piece if you are tall, have knee issues, suffer from vertigo, or simply have a hard time getting off the floor. I do not advise purchasing the cheaper model if any of these apply to you.

Now let’s look at the cons.

PRO XP 557

1. Harder to clean the frame.

2. Heavy

In every effort to give you the best information, I created the main difference chart below.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the 2 Stamina Reformers talked about in this post. I put it in an infographic below to make it easier for you to decide what fits your specific needs.

Happy Shopping!

Stephanie