Shape Up With the Pilates Exercise Machine

Pilates has become increasingly popular of late. What is Pilates and
what does it do and what is the Pilates exercise machine?

Joseph H. Pilates from Germany is the founder of the Pilates exercise
method. Joseph was a weakly child growing up with medical ailments and
forced himself to take on different sports to grow stronger and
strengthen his body and apparently it worked since became an
accomplished athlete later on. During World War I, Joseph served as a
nurse and developed methods of exercise and equipment for patients and
soldiers that were immobilized. Included in those developments were
several mat exercises focused on strengthening the torso area of the
body based on global body strengthening activities like the Chinese
martial arts or formats from yoga.

Pilates is routine that conditions the body in order to build
flexibility, strength, coordination and endurance without increasing
muscle size. Pilates has also been shown to sculpt the body, increase
circulation and strengthens the torso. Those that perform Pilates on a
regularly a basis, feel that they experience a better general
well-being, are less prone to injury and have better posture over
those that do not.

There are two main ways to accomplish Pilates exercises. One is done
with floor exercise mats and another is with machine equipment. In the
Pilates exercise for building up the spine for back health or better
posture, a machine was invented to assist in the exercise and was
called the Pilates Exercise Machine and uses the principle of
resistance. It was created to meet the requirements of several
different exercise movements and performances and is durable,
versatile and convenient. The ability to use many features on the
machine to create exercises specific for each individual makes the
Pilates Exercise Machine a joy to use and preferred over other
traditional exercise equipment.

There are five types of Pilates exercise equipment. They are the
Pilates Reformer, the Pilates Resistance Bands or Pedipull, the
Pilates Cadillac, the Pilates Barrel and the Pilates Chair. The most
known of these would be the Pilates Reformer. It can perform more than
one hundred Pilates exercises with its pulleys, straps, system of
springs and gliding platform. The exerciser pulls and pushes off the
foot bar to move in a controlled method back and forth while the
tension from the springs applies resistance. Next is the Pilates
Resistance Bands, used most commonly for rehabilitation or with other
fitness disciplines. It is made of a strip of latex that will stretch
to give a light resistance. A surprising simple tool, can help in
several areas such as working the abdominals, enhancing joint
movement, sculpting of the body and more. The original concept by
Joseph H. Pilates is the Pilates Cadillac or nicknamed, "the rack" or
the "Trapeze Table" due to its appearance. It has been considered by
many to be the most effective and versatile exercise equipment pieces
ever designed. It bridges a connection between exercise and physical
therapy through its table that is surrounded by bars, straps, levers
and springs, all adjustable to make the activity as precise as
possible. A trainer is recommended with this version to get the best
results accurately, on the over eighty exercises that can be done with
this system. The Pilates Barrel is meant to compliment a mat workout.
It is an upholstered arch that supports the back and shoulders while
opening up the neck, thighs and hips depending on the exercise
performed. This has also been a great tool in use with rehabilitation
purposes. Last is the Pilates Chair. Springs are the resistance to
work with on this equipment and allows a person to perform over
seventy-five exercises using it in order to work the lower back,
shoulders, abdominals, lower back and more. Other versions of this
equipment are the Stability Chair or the Pilates Wunda Chair.

_By: *Garry Nixon*_

*About the Author:*

Garry Nixon recommends you to go for pilates exercise equipments [1]
if you are looking to lose weight [2].

Links:
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[1] http://www.weightlosswand.com/pilates/exercise-equipments.html
[2] http://www.mbonfa.com/