What is the difference between the Pilates Mat and the Pilates Reformer?

Both Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates offer unique benefits and can be effective forms of exercise, depending on individual goals and needs. Mat Pilates is a form of Pilates that involves performing exercises on a mat using body weight as resistance.

It is a low-impact form of exercise that can help improve core strength, balance, flexibility, and posture. Mat Pilates can be done anywhere as it requires minimal equipment, making it a convenient option for home workouts or traveling.

Reformer Pilates involves performing exercises on a specially designed machine called a reformer, which provides resistance through springs and pulleys. It can help improve strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination and is particularly useful for people recovering from an injury or those with joint issues.

Both forms of Pilates can be effective for different fitness goals and levels. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual goals and preferences. Reformer Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise that utilizes a specially designed machine called a reformer. Here are some of the benefits of practicing Pilates on the Reformer:

Improved Strength

Reformer Pilates exercises focus on improving core strength, stability, and balance. This can help improve overall strength, which can have a positive impact on daily activities.

Increased Flexibility

Reformer Pilates exercises can help improve flexibility, range of motion, and joint mobility. This can help reduce muscle tension and prevent injuries.

Low Impact

Reformer Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise, making it an ideal option for people with joint issues or those recovering from an injury.

Improved Posture

Reformer Pilates exercises can help improve posture by strengthening the muscles that support the spine and improving alignment.

Increased Body Awareness

Reformer Pilates exercises require focus and concentration, which can improve body awareness and mindfulness.

Stress Reduction 

Reformer Pilates exercises can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, making them an excellent option for people looking to de-stress and unwind. Pilates involves breath work, which can contribute to this.

Customizable Workouts

Reformer Pilates exercises can be modified to suit different fitness levels and goals, making it a versatile form of exercise. There are several ways to use Pilates equipment or mat Pilates exercises that are appropriate for all fitness levels. It is best to begin Pilates with a trainer or at a facility where you can get direct instructions on form and performance of the basics.

Overall, reformer Pilates is an effective form of exercise that can have numerous physical and mental health benefits. Details are highlighted below.

How many times a week should you do Reformer Pilates?

I recommend that you do two to three Pilates Reformer classes or private sessions per week. Once a week is a good start, but there is too much time in between sessions for a beginner to get the mental and physical aspects of Pilates.

Two to three times per week is recommended for novice Pilates students, and once the mental awareness starts to improve, it is fine to attend less frequently. I would also recommend taking five private lessons before jumping into a group class with multiple people and less individual attention.

Is mat Pilates as good as reformer Pilates?

Mat Pilates, in my opinion, is more difficult than reformer Pilates, at least at first. I encourage people to start with the reformer and progress to mat work. The reformer is designed to assist and resist. The assistance from the reformer initially really helps with the awareness improvements.

Mat Pilates is basically you and gravity on a mat. It is more accessible and cheaper than using the reformer, but more challenging for the novice Pilates student. In our Pilates teacher training program, we progress our students through the reformer and other Pilates equipment before teaching mat work. This allows them time to get stronger, both mentally and physically, before progressing to the more challenging mat work.

What are the benefits of reformer Pilates?

The reformer is a great piece of exercise equipment that offers hundreds and hundreds of unique exercises. You can strengthen your entire body in one session while focusing on mental awareness of proper form and breathing. Pilates is a total-body workout that does not isolate the back, biceps, chest, and legs on separate days.

In Pilates, all exercises originate from the powerhouse, or core. If you are doing leg exercises or arm exercises, your core is engaged, or should be engaged, with every exercise. Core strength, pain reduction, improved posture, and flexibility are some of the benefits that our Pilates clients and physical therapy patients report every day using the Pilates reformer.

How fast do you see results with Reformer Pilates?

Joseph Pilates had a quote that said, "In 10 sessions you'll feel the difference, in 20 you'll see the difference, and in 30 you'll have a new body." I will leave that answer to the man who created the system and equipment.

Is reformer Pilates good for weight loss?

Pilates is not a magic pill for weight loss, but it can be a great complement to eating healthy and performing cardio exercises. There is some cardio in Pilates Reformer classes, but that is not the intention. We see people tone up and make postural improvements that are just as powerful as weight loss.

Reformer Pilates can be an effective component of a weight loss program, but it should be combined with other forms of exercise and a healthy diet for optimal results. Reformer Pilates exercises focus on building lean muscle mass, which can help boost metabolism and burn more calories even at rest.

However, Pilates alone may not burn enough calories to lead to significant weight loss. Incorporating cardiovascular exercises such as running, cycling, or swimming along with a healthy diet can help create a calorie deficit that can lead to weight loss. Additionally, Pilates can help improve body composition by building lean muscle mass while reducing body fat.

This can lead to a leaner and toned appearance, even if the number on the scale remains the same. In summary, Reformer Pilates can be a useful addition to a weight loss program, but it should be combined with other forms of exercise and a healthy diet for optimal results. If you feel you need guidance for cardio and/or nutrition, it is best to consult with a healthcare provider, nutritionist, and/or trainer.

Check out the blog from Womens Health HERE:

Learn more about the Pilates Reformer at How Do I Try A Pilates Reformer Workout For Beginners?

Call 512-215-4227 to get started with us at & Pilates in Austin / West Lake Hills, Texas.

What is Pilates?

Pilates is an exercise and movement system developed by Joseph H Pilates, originally from Germany. Mr. Pilates was described as a sickly child with asthma, rheumatic fever, and rickets. He was obsessed with being an athlete and over the years he started putting together his own exercise system originally called Contrology.

While working in England when WWI broke out, he ended up in a prison camp. He continued to refine his system in those years while being held captive. In 1918 when the Influenza plaque swept through the prison camp, his camp survived… Yes, every person in his tent, guard, and prisoner was told to have survived the pandemic when every other tent had mass casualties.

Why? Because they were doing Contrology exercises led by Joseph in his tent. The story goes that the English let Mr. Pilates out of his prison camp in exchange for him teaching his methods to all of their soldiers. He agreed but left for America as soon as he could, ending up in New York City and opening his studio around 1925.

Pilates is an exercise modality that encourages the mind to control the body. Through repetition and focused breathing, the mind-body connection improves.

Pilates is based on the following principles:

What is a Pilates Reformer?

A pilates reformer is the classic exercise equipment you will find in most Pilates studios across the world. Joe Pilates submitted the reformer to the United States Patent Office in 1925, getting approval in 1926 and then a second patent in 1927.

The Pilates Reformer sits low to the ground and is typically made of a wood or steel frame. It has a movable carriage that attaches to one end of the frame with springs for resistance. The other side of the carriage has leather or rope straps attached to the opposite side of the frame as the springs.

Pilates reformer allows one to perform exercises laying on your back, side, or stomach, as well as sitting, kneeling, or standing due to its unique design. The entire body, including the mind, is worked out during a Pilates session on the Reformer.

Expect to feel some areas stretching and other areas to be working harder than they have ever worked. The joy and pain of Pilates in one moment.

Who can benefit the most from the Pilates Reformer?

The Pilates Reformer is one of the if not the most diverse pieces of exercise equipment available. Hundreds of exercises can be done on the Pilates Reformer by most people and up to 500 exercises for those capable of performing the super advanced repertoire.

The super-advanced exercises are saved for professional dancers and circus performers, not the average person looking to use the Pilates Reformer. With that said, I have had clients on the Pilates Reformer that are in a wheelchair and I have also had professional athletes and everything in between.

We have worked with physical therapy patients and fitness clients utilizing the Pilates Reformer with spinal pain, hip & knee pain, ankle injuries, shoulder problems, prehab, and postoperative. Our youngest client on the Pilates reformer has been 6 or 7 years old and our oldest is in their late 90s.

To answer the question, most people can benefit from using the Pilates Reformer with a Certified Pilates Instructor in a Personal Training or Physical Therapy session.

Should I start with Pilates Mat or Pilates Reformer?

In my opinion, the Pilates Mat work is harder than the Pilates Reformer, at least initially. With the Pilates Reformer, the machine with its springs for resistance and straps assist you with learning Pilates. It makes it easier to learn the initial concepts of Pilates.

Pilates Mat work is you and your body on an exercise mat working against gravity with no assistance at all. Pilates Mat is cheaper and more accessible at the local gyms and fitness centers. Many people start with Pilates Mat classes for these reasons but I highly recommend doing a few Private Pilates Reformer sessions first and then progressing to group Pilates Mat and Pilates Reformer classes.

In a private session, you will get all of the attention and be able to ask as many questions as you have. In a group class, you are one of many and individual attention is no longer the priority. Group classes are designed to give your body practice and precision over and over again once you have an understanding of the basics.

This is my opinion as a physical therapist who is also certified to teach Pilates and deals with injuries and pain, not the fitness client.

If you are not injured and are looking for a new fitness routine or to complement your current routine, then the Pilates Mat work is a great place to start. In this situation, I recommend trying both a few Pilates Mat and Pilates Reformer classes and letting your body decide which it gravitates towards.

Where can I do Pilates Reformer Classes in Austin | Westlake Hills?

All of our Physical Therapists at CORE Therapy & Pilates are Certified Pilates Instructors and use the Pilates Reformer with their physical therapy patients. All of our personal trainers are Certified Pilates Instructors and offer private Pilates Reformer sessions and group Pilates Reformer Classes.

Also, all of our sessions are 55 minutes and are offered at our beautiful studio at 3534 Bee Caves Rd, Ste 110 in Raintree Office Park.

Our group Pilates Reformer classes in Austin are very small with a maximum of 4 students. We don't believe in group classes with a dozen students on a reformer and a teacher not paying attention to any of them.

Our private Pilates sessions include the use of the Reformer, Trap Table (Cadillac), Pilates Chair, and Barrels as indicated by your goals.

Call 512-215-4227 to tell us your story.

Interested in purchasing some Pilates equipment for home use? 

Check out https://www.pilates.com/store to learn more about our favorite Pilates manufacturing brand. Learn more about Pilates Physical Therapy at CORE Therapy & Pilates.

Want to start Pilates Mat at home? Grab this mat from Amazon.

If you are ready to purchase a home reformer, this is the one that I suggest.

Hey guys. What's up? It's Stephen Dunn with CORE Therapy and Pilates. We're in Westlake Hills, Texas and today I want to go over something that's very important. 

The 4 Stages of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation

It's called the four stages of recovery and we're going to talk about the recovery from a physical therapy standpoint here. This graph is showing us two different things. Recovery from zero percent to 100 percent and the number of visits in physical therapy from zero to 14.

So with that said at the national average of 11 and this showing 14, the 14 is just getting into phase four and so that's where I want to now break down each phase.

The 4 Stages of Recovery

1 - Minimize Pain & Inflammation

Phase one is basically to minimize pain and inflammation and that's in this first six visits or so, usually twice a week in the first couple weeks. That allows your pain to lower and then we get into phase two as the pain is less.

2 - Restore Mobility, Flexibility, & Strength

Phase two is to restore mobility, flexibility and strength. From an again average standpoint across the whole nation, phase two is visit seven to eleven. All right, now again at the end of visit 11, we're sitting at 70% improved.

3 - Return to Normal Function & Activity

Phase three is the return to normal function and normal activity. People start feeling better here. A lot of people fall off the plan of care as soon as they feel better and then a lot of people fall off here because they're feeling better and they're moving better, their mobility is better but they're really not maybe ready to go back to tennis and ready to golf at full speed.

4 - Maintenance & Prevention of Injury

Stage four is the program that we're we're so proud of here at CORE, as it's the maintenance and the prevention of injury. For us, stage three and four is our pilates program.

Stage one and two is our physical therapy program and in phase three our physical therapists start progressing people into stage four on our pilates equipment with some clinical physical therapy or some clinical pilates or some pilates based physical therapy, whatever you want to call it.

Then stage four is really our pilates program where we have the ability for people to come in privately or in group sessions.

So... I wanted to go over that today because again most people get to this point here and they're 70% better. A lot of people will get to here and all of a sudden they're starting to make that 100 better and then they're not coming back into PT six months later. 

The reality is we teach people to do a lot of things at home and how to maintain it but people don't do it. 

Life takes over, their jobs, kids... reality takes over and it's hard to keep up with the program. Whereas, we’ve been designing programs that make it easy for you to stay committed and stay moving, progressing forward to meet those goals, to reach those goals and make those transformations. 

So, guys, thanks for watching those are the four stages of rehab broken down into each stage and y'all take care and we'll see you all soon.

Call 512-215-4227 if you would like to learn more about our programs to help you get out of pain.

Have You Been in a Car Accident?

If you're experiencing pain or stiffness following a car accident, understanding the recovery process is crucial. Our latest blog post, Stage 1 of Treating Auto Accident Injuries: Your Path to Pain-Free Recovery, delves into the vital initial steps of rehabilitation, focusing on minimizing pain and inflammation. Learn more about our expert approach to early injury care and how we can help you begin your journey towards healing

First of all, I need to answer the question… “What is a Pilates Reformer?” 

A Pilates Reformer is an exercise machine designed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s. Sleek in design, the Pilates Reformer uses spring resistance with straps and pulleys and a movable carriage to challenge your entire body, especially your core. 

A Reformer offers hundreds of exercises for the Pilates Instructor to choose from to establish an individualized routine for you and your specific goals.

Now let us answer the original question… “How do I try a Pilates Reformer workout for beginners?”

One of the first things to consider is to find a studio with a Certified Pilates Instructor. Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Programs have a minimum of 450 hours of training and test-outs. 

There are many individuals teaching Pilates out there that have not done the recommended hours of training. They should not be teaching Pilates to the public, especially beginners.

Next, ask yourself… “Am I injured?” 

Many people are referred to Pilates to help with their back pain, hip or knee pain, or neck and shoulder pain caused by poor slouching posture. Maybe your doctor told you about Pilates or a friend had success with Pilates helping solve their spinal pain.

This is where being a Pilates Physical Therapist comes in handy. As a Physical Therapist specializing in musculoskeletal injuries, having completed a comprehensive Pilates education, I know Pilates and understand the power of Pilates to heal injuries.

However, some injuries should be addressed by Physical Therapy first and followed up with Pilates Reformer workouts. Hands-on treatment, patient education, movement modifications, home exercise prescription, pain management education, and more are all incorporated as needed in physical therapy.

Pilates Reformer workouts are a great way to stay active and fit and allow you to move away from pain pills and avoid potential surgery. A healthy lifestyle is the goal.

Now some of you are not injured and have heard how Pilates can improve your athletic performance, dance, flexibility, core strength, balance, and so forth. You should start your Pilates Reformer workouts with a Certified Pilates Instructor. 

Last question… “Should I start with group Pilates Reformer classes or private sessions?” 

As a beginner, I recommend you doing a few private sessions to learn about Pilates. It’s good to understand the breathing techniques and the equipment before jumping into a class and feeling like a fish out of water.

Many start in group Pilates Reformer classes without problems, but athleticism, coordination, fitness level, and many other things will play a role.

Serving Austin since 2005, CORE Therapy & Pilates is your go to Pilates Studio in Austin, Texas. If you are new to Pilates or a seasoned pro we can challenge you with our Pilates reformer workout.

We offer Pilates for Seniors classes, basic pilates reformer workouts, pilates reformer workouts for abs and so much more. CORE Therapy is co-owned by Stephen and Cheryl Dunn. 

Stephen Dunn is a Pilates Physical Therapist and Cheryl Dunn is a Pilates Master Trainer. Ease pain, tone up and improve your posture, flexibility and core strength with Pilates at CORE Therapy and Pilates in Austin, Texas. 

Call 512-215-4227 to learn more about our Pilates programs.

Download our FREE REPORT: “The 10 Reasons Why You Should Do Pilates... And Why You Will Love It!”.