First Position Pilates Reformer Exercise

Series Summary

Pilates are more popular than ever. The exercise system invented by Joseph Pilates was created to strengthen core muscle groups and maintain flexibility. The fact that Pilates can be done by almost anyone of any age and fitness level has made them an increasingly popular form of exercise over the last ten years.

A Pilates reformer is a machine that uses spring resistance to help build strength through smooth muscular contractions and an increased range of motion and support. These machines are used in gyms to teach people how to do Pilates, but more and more people are purchasing Pilates reformers for their homes

In this series of free health and fitness videos you’ll learn how to use a Pilates reformer and several exercises you can do with the machine. Expert April Plank shows you how to do a number of Pilates exercises, including leg circles, bicep curls, roll backs, and Y position exercises just to name a few.

Video Transcript

"Hi! My name is April Plank with Yoga etc. Studios on behalf of Expert Village. In this clip we will be working on first position on reformer. Helen is going to be working with me today. Thanks for being here Helen. So today we are going to start by bringing the knees apart and the feet apart and just pressing those heels together. This is first position. Those knees should be about hips distance apart, arms are resting beside on the carriage, shoulders back and down, back and nice and long. So I am going to have Helen really engage her abdominals, take an inhale and send the carriage out full extension with the legs and as she exhales, she is going to blow out with her pierced lips drawing the carriage back in. She will repeat that several times inhaling and extending the spine and exhaling engaging those deep abdominal muscles and she will just continue this motion. It is a really great exercise for leg strength. It is also a great exercise for building core stability and pelvic stability. Four more and exhale. Great control. So she is resisting those springs moving slowly and exhaling in. Perfect. Last two to finish and last one, inhaling out and exhaling in. Great job and that is first position on Pilate's reformer. "