Mat Pilates vs. Equipment Pilates
Pilates is becoming a popular form of exercise that is attractive to people of all ages, ranging from senior citizens to professional athletes. Developed and founded by Joseph Pilates, this form of exercise is intended to strengthen, tone, and stabilise your muscles. The challenge is in determining how Mat Pilates, Reformer or various Pilates apparatuses would work for you.
While Mat Pilates remains the basis for the method’s entire repertoire of exercises, the supplementary use of a Pilates apparatus offers the advantage of added support through built-in, adjustable springs.
Pilates mat work performed using your own body for stability simply means that you will have to depend substantially on your core to maintain a standalone position or to mobilise your body during an exercise. On the mat, the body is constantly pitted against gravitational forces, requiring more physical control from the practitioner.
Special equipment such as the Reformer, Cadillac, Chair and Barrel offer assistance and support, unburdening your joints. Apparatus-based Pilates may also produce more visible results, owing to the resistance created by the pulley and spring systems. Along with improved body posture, arm, leg, and abdominal muscles tend to achieve more definition through this approach.
Best of Both Worlds
Unsure of which method works for you? To optimise your personal Pilates experience, we at Urban Spring are firm believers in a well-rounded practice that balances mat exercises with studio equipment techniques.
While both approaches may lead to the same objective, they also impact your body differently in the process. Mat Pilates may generally be more accessible due portability and economical reasons – just you and a mat - but beginners interested in learning more about what their respective bodies can achieve would most certainly benefit from one-on-one equipment or Group Reformer led training with a certified instructor. Whatever you choose - whether you are concerned with injury recovery, pre- or post-natal care or just wanting to feel good about your body - the exercises are formulated to accommodate every skill level while adapting to your evolving needs.
