Pilates Equipment
SPIKEY BALLS
I have always used Spikey Balls for releasing tight Glutes and hips. You can also use them for tight areas in the back.
FOAM ROLLER
I use foam rollers on most of my clients and encourage them to buy a roller for home just to lie on to release their spines and open out the chest and arms. They have many other uses like rolling on the legs and releasing the ITB bands, lot of ladies tell me they get rid of fat and cellulite.
WEIGHTED BALLS
Soft Weighted Balls are a lovely way to start to doing arm weights and help to release tension in the shoulder joints without overloading
It can help with overall strength, flexibility, coordination and balance. These things in turn lead to daily life improvement like better posture, graceful efficient movement and for many reliefs from pain associated with physical imbalances such as back pain. The reformer is large enough to accommodate full-range motion which is wonderful for increasing flexibility while building strength and it trains the body to sustain that length. Pushing and pulling with legs or arms against the resistance of the springs, carriage, and body weight is generally strength building. The exercises provide enough resistance and movement variety to help build strong bones and there is a special feature: eccentric muscle contractions. This is when the muscle lengthens as it resists a force.
Weights
Need to be used carefully, and most of the exercises I do are lying down protecting the back and the best way is not to over load with too heavy a weight but increase the reps.
PILATES RING
The Pilates ring can be used with many exercises for the entire body and many DVD’s are on the market. I use the ring to build the inner thigh muscles which are often very weak especially with women. I also use the ring for abdominals and arms.
PILATES Band
The Pilates Band is a very useful piece or equipment especially if you travel as its easy to pack. I use the band most of the time to help release the Ham Strings and done regularly and properly seems to do the job.
