history of the reformer

The reformer was one of the original pieces of equipment that Joseph Pilates created in 1912, during WW1 to rehabilitate bedridden soldiers at an internment camp he was stationed at. He rigged springs to their hospital beds so that exercises could be completed easily every day. In 1926, he came to the United States and was able to patent the Universal Reformer. 

so... what is it?

The reformer is a bed-like piece of equipment that has a gliding carriage, pulley system and springs that provide tension to either increase or decrease an the difficulty of an exercise and accommodate every fitness level.  The reformer also has shoulder rests, a foot bar at one end, and a moveable headrest at the other. There are a variety of accessories that come with most reformers including jump boards, boxes, etc. You can lay down, sit, kneel, and even stand on the reformer to perform the exercises. 

You can get a full body workout on just the reformer and still not even touch on the endless amounts of exercises that can be done on this incredible piece of equipment.  This is where we will work during all demos, and at some point during most private, duet, and group apparatus lessons.