Pilates and their types

Pilates, a physical fitness system developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, has become widely popular these days as this exercise method gives optimal fitness results and help people live healthy life. But, many have misunderstood the concept that it is a floor exercise as majority of gyms and DVDs focus mainly on floor exercises. Today, there are several branches of Pilates that have emerged as a result of various teachers and trainers trying to refine the practices. Pilates is broadly classified into two categories, Machine and Mat work, and this article discusses these in detail.

In mat work, as the name goes, is done using mats and no other equipment is used, which means only body is used in practising and developing Pilates. If you are a beginner then mat work is ideal and you can perform it anywhere without relying on any apparatus, so it is a very handy way of staying fit and healthy. Many Pilates instructors prefer this method to as it best represents the very basic of this exercise. There are certain mat exercises that are very challenging like those done using equipment, and some mat exercises needs simple apparatus like weighted balls.

Pilates, in the very initial stage itself, was performed using equipment and so it can be considered as a classical form. There are different types of machine used, lets take a look of those.

The most commonly used Pilates apparatus is the Reformer. It actually has strings to offer optimal resistance as the stretching of string makes the exercise much more hard. The reformer is either made of wood or metal with springs, pulleys, and ropes, so you try a complete range of exercises under the guidance of a Pilates Trainer. You have to sit or lie on a carriage and when you push and pull the static parts of reformer the carriage glides back and forth.

Next is the Cadillac, which is slightly larger than the reformer but has no carriage. It also let you try a variety of exercise the reformer, and the Cadillac was designed by Joseph Pilates to help bed-ridden patients' rehabilitation.

Be beginner or an advanced Pilates practitioner, The Wunda Chair is the right choice. It also employs the concept of progressive resistance and has pedals attached to the spring. It is a relatively cheap Pilates equipment that you can get from sports stores and if you need a premium workout machine for home use then this is ideal.