Arthritis is a condition that can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. This condition can interfere with daily activities and reduce the quality of life of sufferers. However, with the right approach, such as through joint-friendly exercise, arthritis symptoms can be better managed. One type of exercise that is popular and effective for arthritis sufferers is Reformer Pilates .
What Is Reformer Pilates?
Reformer Pilates is a form of Pilates exercise that uses a reformer machine—a special piece of equipment designed to help you perform Pilates movements with more intensity. The machine is equipped with straps, cushions, and resistance springs, all of which help users strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and maintain good posture.
How Does Pilates Reformer Work?
The reformer machine works by adding additional resistance to the movements, forcing the muscles to work harder. The movements in Reformer Pilates focus on core strength, flexibility, and balance, all of which are important for people with arthritis. With the support of the machine, the exercises can also be adjusted to be safe for those with pain or limited mobility.
Why is Reformer Pilates Good for Arthritis Sufferers?
Reformer Pilates is especially beneficial for people with arthritis because it allows them to move safely and in a controlled manner without putting too much pressure on their joints. It can also help improve range of motion and joint mobility, which are often limited in people with arthritis. Additionally, Reformer Pilates can strengthen the muscles around the joints, which can help reduce pressure on the joints and reduce pain symptoms.
Benefits of Reformer Pilates for Arthritis Sufferers
Increase Mobility and Flexibility
One of the main benefits of Reformer Pilates is its ability to improve joint mobility and flexibility. For people with arthritis, joint stiffness is one of the most common problems. Through gentle yet effective movements, Reformer Pilates can help lengthen muscles and improve range of motion.
Better Mobility
By increasing mobility, arthritis sufferers will feel more comfortable doing daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or even lifting light objects. This exercise helps train the joints to be more flexible and able to move more freely without pain.
Maintained Flexibility
Flexibility is important for maintaining body balance. Reformer Pilates facilitates stretching of tight muscles and stimulates blood flow, which overall will increase flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.
Reduce Stiffness
Regular exercise with Reformer Pilates can also reduce stiffness in joints and muscles, helping arthritis sufferers feel more relaxed and comfortable.
Reduce Joint Pain
Pilates Reformer exercises not only improve mobility but also contribute to pain reduction in arthritis sufferers. Exercises that focus on strengthening core muscles and body stability can reduce stress on affected joints.
Core Muscle Strengthening
Strengthening your core muscles helps stabilize your entire body, which is especially important for people with arthritis. Strong core muscles help support your spine and joints, reducing stress on weak joints.
Reduced Pressure on Joints
By increasing the strength of the muscles around the joints, the pressure on the joints affected by arthritis can be significantly reduced. This allows sufferers to perform activities without excessive pain.
Improve Blood Circulation
Reformer Pilates also improves blood circulation throughout the body, including areas affected by arthritis. Good circulation helps reduce the inflammation and pain often associated with arthritis.
Improve Posture and Balance
Arthritis sufferers often experience posture problems due to joint stiffness. Reformer Pilates helps improve posture and balance through exercises that strengthen the body's supporting muscles.
Good Posture Exercises
Reformer Pilates encourages the body to be in the correct position during the exercise, thus indirectly improving posture. This exercise also involves breath control, which helps maintain stability and posture.
Better Balance
Balance is an important aspect for people with arthritis, especially those who are older. By improving balance, the risk of falls that can worsen arthritis will be significantly reduced.
Prevention of Bad Posture
Consistent practice with Reformer Pilates can help prevent poor posture, which often causes additional pain in people with arthritis.
Also read: Similar but Not the Same, These are the Differences between Pilates and Yoga
Types of Pilates Reformer Exercises That Are Safe for Arthritis Sufferers
Footwork
Footwork is one of the basic movements in Reformer Pilates that is very suitable for people with arthritis. This movement involves pushing the feet off the platform of the reformer machine, which helps strengthen the leg muscles without putting pressure on the knee or hip joints.
Controlled Movement
With adjustable resistance, footwork allows people with arthritis to perform controlled, safe movements.
Leg Muscle Strengthening
This exercise specifically strengthens the muscles around the knees and hips, which can help reduce stress on joints affected by arthritis.
Leg Circles
Leg circles is a move that focuses on increasing flexibility and mobility in the hips. It involves rotating the legs in a gentle circular motion, helping to release tension around the hip area.
Improving Hip Flexibility
Leg circles help improve flexibility in the hip area, which is often stiff in people with arthritis.
Weightless Movement
This movement is done without excessive pressure on the joints, making it very safe and effective for arthritis sufferers.
Arm Work
In addition to focusing on the legs and hips, Reformer Pilates also offers a variety of movements to strengthen the arm muscles, such as pull and push movements using the rope on the reformer machine.
Arm Muscle Strengthening
This exercise helps strengthen the muscles in the arms, shoulders, and back, which are important for maintaining good posture.
Safe Exercise
Arm work can be done with adjusted resistance so that it remains safe for shoulder joints that may be affected by arthritis.
When Should You Start Reformer Pilates?
To begin Reformer Pilates, it is important for arthritis sufferers to consult with an experienced Pilates instructor who understands arthritis. An experienced instructor can help adjust the exercises to suit your physical abilities and limitations, so that the exercises can be done safely and effectively.
