THEThe Pilates Reformer, that is, the one that uses the machine which, with straps and springs, allows you to calibrate the effort, is a cure-all for the whole body. Even many celebs of the caliber of Adele and Harry Styles, or super athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo or LeBron James, who have been practicing it for years, know it well. But since the beginning of 2024 it has also arrived in Italy, thanks to Virgin Activeone new mode of training: the Reformer Pilates Athletic.
Why Pilates has become more “athletic”
«Reformer Pilates Athletic means practicing intense sequences of typical Reformer Pilates exercises, which are mixed with functional exercises in a more athletic mode, as the name itself suggests” explains Irene Capelli, Virgin Active Reformer Pilates Specialist. “The course takes place in a group and is aimed at all those who are passionate about Pilates and Reformer, but who are looking for a more dynamic, challenging trainingI would add adrenaline-filled” continues the trainer master.
A truly intense workout
For those who don’t practice it well, Pilates can already seem like a light discipline. If you do it using the Reformer, the physical effort is not insignificant. With Atlhetic the bar of sports performance rises again: intensity and resistance are necessary to experience the adrenaline rush that this new workout gives. «The Reformer Pilates Athletic workout involves the lower and upper limbs and the muscles of the core. They practice endurance, strength, but also stability and coordination» explains Irene Capelli. With Athletic, therefore, Pilates becomes more energetic and challenging, taking participants out of their comfort zone and in search of new training stimuli.
Pilates+functional training= guaranteed shape
L’functional training or functional training is used to make a certain movement or exercise more functional. In practice, we try to make money an athletic gesture is more efficient to increase its effectiveness and use it to improve symptoms or physical problems. If what the reformer entails is added to this discipline, it is clear that the type of activity that arises from it can only be at high intensity.
The Reformer Pilates Atlhetic also uses some equipment, such as weights. (credit Virgin Active).
The atmosphere also helps to give the best
The straps and springs characteristic of the Pilates Reformer are added to the Athletic dumbbells and other small tools. Not only that, the more static positions and careful movement control are alternated with jumps and more dynamic exercises. All this is accompanied by engaging music and with an adrenaline-filled pace. This helps to increase the intensity of effort and commitment, not just physical. Pilates, including this new form, in fact, stimulates concentration and attention, also helping to improve one’s mental and cognitive performance.
For many but not for everyone
«To participate in a Reformer Pilates Athletic course you must already have some familiarity with the tool and knowledge of the basics of the technique” advises Irene Capelli. «In an Athletic class, the trainer proposes a functional exercise circuit with the reformer, in which the intensity progressively increases thanks to variations and the use of some tools, such as dumbbells, a real novelty of this format. This creates a workout that requires participants maximum effort and minimum recovery» clarifies the trainer. In fact, only at the end are the more “quiet” phases performed, those of cool-down and stretching.
To each his own course
Be careful though, if Athletic is a new format, it doesn’t mean that the good old Pilates courses are outdated. On the contrary. That’s right everyone can find the most suitable formula for their preparation and your body. For this reason, in the Virgin Active Clubs it is possible to continue practicing two other formatsintended for those who are less trained.
- Fundamentals it is the format in which you learn the basics of the technique and practice traditional Pilates at a constant pace. Its focus is the familiarization with the use of the reformer and the principles of the discipline, offering a complete workout, but suited to the level of the participants.
- Align it is the format in which the exercises of the classical repertoire are integrated with the functional ones with a more dynamic rhythm. It’s good for those who have already familiar with using the reformer and he already gets by with “long stretch”, “elephant pose”, “bridge” for a complete workout that focuses on strength, stability and resistance.
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