If I could equate the functionality of the Pilates Reformer to current pop culture, I’d called it the Transformer of fitness. (You know the toys and characters of those action films that morph into various devices.) Remember the tag line: “Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye”? My recent combination workout on the Pilates reformer carriage and tower revealed just how much the Reformer is capable of transforming itself into a multitude of fitness tools.
Instructor Karen Burris at In Balance Yoga and Pilates guided me through the Reformer combo workout on the carriage and on the tower in a powerful body sculpting, strengthening, and stretching routine that can be amped up for an intense workout or modified for rehabilitative purposes. Using two reformer machines, I switched back and forth between exercises on the carriage using the pulleys to standing exercises using the springs of the tower. Now let me explain the difference between the two: The movable carriage uses pulleys that work bilaterally; the tower is used for standing movements as well as unilateral movements and offers a wider range of exercises in a controlled environment.
Here’s a sampling of my hour long workout: I started on the carriage doing “around the world” abs then jumped onto the fixed platform of the neighboring Reformer and grabbed the bar attached by two springs and did standing arm triceps and biceps work. Then, I returned back to the carriage and in a plank position with bent legs I did the “mountain climber” (killer core work) then back to the tower for teasers using a bar attached to springs overhead. Next, a return to the carriage for leg circles, which really targeted my back upper thighs, an area that’s hard to isolate and work. This, followed by another switch to the tower for leg squats using the springs. I could give you a play-by-play but at this point, you get the picture. All of this back and forth kept my muscles guessing what was next. It also kept my form in check because of the great deal of concentration required to switch gears constantly.
Why combine the carriage and the tower into your Reformer routine? Both compliment each other in regards to the technique and power required to do these exercises. The tower limits “muscling thru movements” with its control and efficiency. Using the carriage and pulleys, the five springs can be adjusted to accommodate beginner to advanced movement. Doing both the spring-loaded carriage and the tower ensures your movements follow the six Pilates principles: centering, concentration, control, precision, breath, and flow.
The combo Reformer workout mixes it up for a full body workout that tweaks your muscles in different ways. Incorporating the tower also gave me new, effective exercises such as the short spine massage, long spine massage, and bridge to stretch and strengthen my lower back. I will say that I was in awe of the instructor knowledge required to operate the tower; Tower springs are set at one level of resistance but there are a lot of adjustments required on the part of the instructor in terms of safety clasps, bar positions, and hand pulley positions. Unless you are familiar with the many different tower settings, it can be overwhelming to set yourself.
So back to my Transformer analogy-hey if I can look anything close to Megan Fox (she plays Mikaela Banes in the Transformer films) then sign me up and keep those combo workouts coming!
