Our Best Pilates Reformer for Home Use
Before we take a look at our best Home Pilates Reformer, let’s take a closer look at what a Pilates Reformer is and what it can do for you. You have probably heard of Pilates but do you know what it is?
Pilates is a form of stretching exercise that was first developed in the early 1900s. In modern day exercise circles it made a rather interesting appearance when more traditional forms of exercise were being combined with different types that were not considered to be in the mainstream. Pilates, while always a popular method, did not really explode into the popular exercise routine it is today, until cross training became a common practice.
AeroPilates is the combination of two forms of exercise – traditional Pilates reformer and cardiovascular. This is accomplished with an easy ‘tweak’ of an AeroPilates reformer where a rebounder is added to the end of the apparatus. What this combination produces is an amazing workout that cannot be achieved by either exercise alone.
Buying the best Home Pilates reformer you can allows you to to increase the strength of your muscles along with their endurance and flexibility. All of this is compounded by the addition of cardiovascular fitness. Using this product gives you the most effective combination exercise you can do in the comfort of your home. So, in other words, a new and improved Pilates reformer is called AeroPilates.
How does our best Home Pilates reformer workout compare to other fitness and gym equipment?
When pitted head-to-head with fitness training on either a treadmill or elliptical trainer, the Pilates reformer out performed both. Sport scientist Dr. Neil Wolkodoff conducted the study which resulted in the finding that test subjects managed to burn more calories using the non-impact Pilates reformer than they could on either a treadmill or elliptical machine.
Dr. Wolkodoff tested fourteen subjects (aged between 23 and 64) where each exercised three times a week for 40-minutes at a time. Results were calculated over the course of eight weeks. The workouts involved using traditional Pilates reformer exercises along with Free-Form Cardio Reformer exercises using an AeroPilates reformer. Some of the results were very interesting such as the fact that the Pilates reformer for home produced a better overall muscle workout than targeting certain muscle groups. Also, because the reformer is designed to support the body, it allows better exercise mechanics than Pilates exercises performed on a gym mat. Plus, the bouncing action while lying on the sliding reformer carriage is easier on the joints allowing for longer workouts with less pain.
The AeroPilates Reformer by Stamina is a well constructed piece of exercise equipment and one of the best Pilates reformers on the market. It has a heavy duty steel frame accented by oak-finished wood. The sliding reformer carriage has quiet ultra smooth rollers and is comfortable to lay on. It includes an adjustable padded headrest and foam shoulder pads for extra comfort and support. A total of four strong elastic cords are included and they are responsible for adding different levels of resistance to your workouts. The reformer is about ten inches off the floor which also allows you to perform more advanced exercises using the Home Pilates reformer.
Speaking of adjustable, this reformer has ropes, straps and hand grips that can be positioned to fit anyone and to get you on your way there is also a Level One Pilates Workout video and a full color workout chart to show you the precise positioning required for each exercise.
Our Best Pilates reformer for home is rated 4.0 out of 5 by Pilates reformer reviews online. Consumers who have purchased this product claim it works well in helping you to build muscle strength and stamina. The cardiovascular workout is also noted as sufficient. Although the manufacturer has provided a design that is fully adjustable, if you are very tall or heavy you may find this machine a little difficult to use. Other online Pilates reformer reviews indicate that the four levels of resistance may be fine for beginners but if you are considered an advanced user, the four levels may be restrictive. Overall, this Pilates reformer for home does work well for the Level One exercises that are demonstrated in the included video and wall chart.
If you’ve ever looked at the way the Pilates reformer looks, with a sliding carriage and mini trampoline, you could become skeptical about the kinds of benefits one of these can provide. Thankfully a study was conducted comparing the reformer with an elliptical trainer and treadmill. With results that prove the reformer will burn more calories than the other two exercise machines, there is no reason to not consider a home Pilates reformer as your next piece of home or office gym equipment.
Of the Pilates reformers we have reviewed, we selected the Stamina AeroPilates Reformer as our best Home Pilates Reformer based on it’s construction, vale for money and the fact that it will meet the needs of most home users without unnecessary expense.
