Rapid Rehab LA Pilates Based Physical Therapy Brentwood California

Pilates is as versatile as the equipment it has in its repertoire. Pilates can be done on a mat, which in and of itself offers a wide variety of exercises. In addition to the mat, Pilates has additional pieces of equipment that add an almost inexhaustible catalog of exercises to the mat format.

There are five basic pieces of equipment, The Pilates Reformer, the Pilates Chair, the Pilates Cadillac, the Pilates Barrel, and the Pilates Resistance Bands.

The Pilates Reformer is perhaps the most well known. Devised of pulleys, straps and an intricate spring system The Reformer makes “gliding” possible. The legs, arms, wrists and hands are used to push and pull the body across the rails of the machine. The springs are adjustable, which determines how much resistance you are working against.

Some may find The Reformer’s exercises, which tally up to a hundred, easy at first. But more frequent use of the machine allows for a rapid increase in difficulty. No matter how much resistance is applied to the machine, which you add by color-coded springs, the body is held in captive tension. Through slow and controlled movements the primary and secondary muscles are subtly conditioned throughout the entire body.

Aside from The Reformer being a staple in classes, it is also known for its rehabilitation qualities. Pilates based rehab uses The Reformer as one of the central pieces of equipment. It is recognized by all types of professions as an alternative and effective way to nurture and heal injuries. Chiropractors, physical therapists, professional level coaches, personal trainers, and osteopathic practioners recommend and comment on The Reformers abilities.

Since a quality Reformer has a price tag that can range from $2000-4000 dollars, Pilates studios, health clubs, spas, personal gyms, and corporate gyms have made “group reformer” and “private” classes available.

The Pilates Chair offers 75 different exercises that are unique to its anything but chair-like existence. Hardly considered a seated workout, the Pilates Chair (The Wunda, Stability Chair, low chair) has a newly streamlined appearance making it seem less intimidating and more versatile. Looking like something that would be used at a contemporary restaurant, its box-like shape and padded seat has one side that can be pushed down against the resistance-loaded spring system inside.

Most Pilates Chairs are made of wood like the original model by Joseph Pilates. The original design only provided one modification for the resistance pedal. However, newer models provide two separate pedals for independent isolation exercises, peripheral extremities, and limb rotations. This piece of equipment engages the upper middle and lower back, buttocks, shoulders, transverse abdominals, lower and upper pelvis regions, and improves neuromuscular integration.

While the bulk of the work is done in a seated position, there are additional static exercises that can be done standing, or lying down- such as push-ups and lunges. Stability and flexibility is the focus of this piece of equipment, making the list of potential exercises wide and vast. The chair is also known for its propensity to “rebalance” injured muscles, and has proven to be effective against a series of strains and muscular imbalances. The price of this chair can range from $700-1500, depending on the caliber and efficiency of the model.  www.rapidrehabla.com