A primary focus of pilates is building core strength, helping to create a strong foundation for flexible movement and decrease body aches, pains and injuries.
How to get core strength
Every exercise in pilates is aimed at learning to engage and work the core. Reformer pilates goes one step further, helping to provide added stability, comfort, support, and flexibility in routines with the use of the reformer.
Stabilising and strengthening the pelvic floor as well as the core, many moves in reformer pilates have you holding your torso in place while moving your limbs in different directions with added resistance from the reformer springs. These movements work to challenge and improve your balance, core strength, stability and flexibility.
How to keep core strength
Depending on your initial capabilities, our instructors will recommend different attendance frequencies and different levels of difficulty depending on your core strength goals.
It is highly recommended that you work with professional reformer pilates instructors to plan your optimal exercise routine. You can though perform several mat pilates exercises at home. These can help to keep your core strength heading in the right direction between classes. The Single Leg Extensions / Twist and Hundreds are just a few common mat pilates exercises that you can do anytime, anywhere to continue work on your core.
Why core strength is important
Core development is the strengthening of the muscles in the torso that stabilize, align, and move the centre of the body. Poor posture is often a result of ongoing poor core strength. This goes beyond causing back pain, but can also affect gross motor and fine motor skills. A foundational health focus for everyone should be strengthening the core.
Not just exercise routines and sport relay on core strength, but also many other physical activities depend on a secure, strong core.
Consistent work on maintaining your core strength will help to:
- Increase overall strength
- Improve coordination
- Strengthen stability and balance
- Better performance
- Decrease chance of injury
- Reduce pain – including back pain
Reformer pilates can help with an array of fitness and health goals. These goals include improving core strength, leading to improvements in posture, back pain, flexibility, stability and more.
Contact our team to book your free body assessment to see if Reformer Pilates is right for you.
