Pilates exercises help in keeping good alignment of the spine, and they also help to strengthen the torso muscles. This form of exercise (developed many decades ago by Joseph Pilates) first became popular among professional dancers, as it teaches controlled movements while promoting greater flexibility and lean muscle mass. The exercises are performed through concentrating on certain movements. These precise stretches and exercises can be performed on the floor using a Pilates mat, or they can also be done using different styles and varieties of equipment. One of the most popular and effective types of pilates machines would be the Pilates Reformer.

The focus of a Pilates workout is to strengthen the core postural muscles. These muscles help provide support for the spine. Similar to yoga, Pilates teaches awareness of breath, but that's really where the similarity ends. Unlike with yoga, however, the use of sophisticated machines and equipment is one of the core principals for achieving the best possible Pilates workout. (The most commonly used equipment in yoga workouts are yoga blocks, which are used to enhance poses.) The Pilates Reformer machine is popular because it can be used by both younger and more mature Pilates enthusiasts. It has a lot of benefits as it provides resistance during the exercise. It aids in proper positioning as well as help refine breathing patterns.

The Pilates Reformer provides a lot of different options. It is safe even to people with slight injuries and also to pregnant women, although with the latter, your doctor's advice as well as assistance are highly recommended. Reformer exercises can be done in various different positions, from standing position to lying down.

Exercising with the Reformers can easily give you the workout that you need without putting unnecessary stress onto your joints - so after you finish exercising, you can expect to feel relaxed and rejuvenated. It helps relieve stress so it is an advisable exercise at the end of the day to gently stretch your muscles, ease tension and help relax your body in preparation for sleep. In that way, it works even better than muscle stimulators to strengthen the core muscles.

Pilates Reformer exercises can be done by almost everyone. It is not only limited to those who would like to strengthen their core muscles. The following types of people can also get benefits from using the Reformer:

• People with heart problems have found that using the Pilates Reformer machine has helped with improved blood circulation.

• Pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy can use the Reformer to help boost their energy level.

• For people with diabetes, the use of the Pilates Reformers can help to control their blood sugar level.

For those who don't have any of the above mentioned conditions, the use of a Reformer pilates machine can aid in building longer and leaner muscles, firm abs, toned buttocks and an overall increase flexibility. It also helps in better mind and body coordination, as every movement is carefully controlled. Pilates is known as a "thinking" exercise, as you would need to maintain focus in doing the different exercises or positions to achieve the most benefit.

The Pilates Reformer machine may look intimidating at first, but an instructor would normally be around to help you go through the different positions. The most important thing to remember would be to maintain your focus on doing the different exercises; the movement should be smooth and continuous, without being jerky. It's important to be able to do the exercises correctly for you to get optimum results. It may take some time to get used to using Pilates Reformers, and in fact you may even be confused at first. But regular, consistent exercise and practice will get you familiar with the use of the equipment as well as the movements. After a while, you will notice fabulous results with your Pilates Reformer, and that in itself will be the most wonderful reward!