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Pilates Machine

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Pilates Machine

Pilates Machine

Pilates is an increasingly popular form of exercise that focuses on creating strong, lean muscle and improved flexibility. It was first introduced by a German gymnast named Joseph Pilates in the early 1900’s as a means of helping to rehabilitate injured veterans of the First World War. His system of “Controlology” focused on the interrelationship between the mind and the body and he developed several different devices that were designed to aid in connecting these two aspects.

There are, in reality, several different exercise devices that are generically referred to as a Pilates machine. However, each of these machines operates on the same basic set of principles. Alignment is one of the crucial principles, and each machine requires that proper skeletal alignment be maintained in order to actively engage and isolate the core muscles as well as the muscle group being worked through a given exercise. Alignment of the spine, pelvis, shoulders and rib cage are all highly emphasized and are essential to avoiding injury.

A Pilates machine uses a series of springs, straps and bars to provide resistance as one is exercising. Springs are ideal because the resistance increases as the spring is stretched. This type of progressive resistance has been a staple of Pilates since it was first introduced, and has since been copied by many exercise equipment manufacturers. Anyone that has watched late night television has undoubtedly seen the various types of workout machines that operate on the principle of progressive resistance; and each one of these machines owes its existence to the ideas of Joseph Pilates.

There are two basic categories of Pilates machine, large and small. Large machines such as the Reformer and Cadillac offer a host of possibilities when it comes to exercise and movement. These particular machines are often quite expensive, and therefore they are most often seen in gyms and Pilates studios rather than in private homes. However, these large machines have the advantage of being able to allow one to perform almost all of the possible Pilates exercises, all on one apparatus.

There are also smaller machines that are less expensive and can be easily used in the home. The Pilates Chair, or Wunder Chair as its sometimes referred too, is an ideal exercise apparatus for the home. It is small enough to keep out of the way when not in use, but offers a wide variety of exercise options. Many people even leave their Pilates chair out, to be used as regular household furniture when its not being used for exercise. Other small-scale Pilates equipment include the Pilates ladder barrel and the step barrel/spine corrector. Any of this equipment can be used to help strengthen and tone one’s major muscle groups.

Whether you choose to use a Pilates machine at your local gym, or buy one to have in your own home, it will undoubtedly prove to be very beneficial. The low-impact nature of this style of exercise is the ideal way to tone and strengthen varying muscle groups without putting too much strain on your skeleton and tendons.