Solitude | 2024
Mat or Reformer Pilates
By Sarah Watson founder of By Sarah Pilates
The word Pilates are everywhere, from social media, fitness community not to mention even celebrities are doing pilates. In this day and age pilates has evolve to different style and adaptation the most common & basic one is Mat Pilates & Reformer Pilates. If you have been wanting to start your pilates journey this is a perfect conversation for it!
Tell me a little bit about yourself?
I am a Pilates instructor in Brisbane, Australia in Total Fusion Platinum TFP. I got qualified 8-years ago and from then I started By Sarah Pilates where I train my private clients.
What makes you passionate being in fitness, health and wellness space? How long you have been fitness/ pilates trainer?
I am very passionate about health and wellness because it aligns with everything that I believe and live by, On top of that I love creating and connecting with people through health & wellness. The fact that I can do that through teaching pilates is very special to me. I become certified about 8 years ago through By Sarah Pilates
What are the main benefits of Pilates?
Pilates is a great exercise because anyone can do it and you can do it at any fitness level and still get the benefit out of it! I am yet to meet someone that hasn’t gotten anything out of pilates.
What is Mat Pilates?
Mat work was created by Joseph Pilates in World War I who is an intern at a German Camp.
Where he developed an new approach to conditioning the body, now known as pilates. Focusing mainly on core and stability, strengthening the whole body through body weight exercise that he created
What is Reformer Pilates? What differentiate the two?
Reformer Pilates uses a spring loaded bed machine. All the principles and exercises developed from Mat Work Pilates can translate on the reformer. The movement still focus on the strength and stability with the addition of extra resistance that the reformer machine provides
Is one better than the other?
I wouldn’t say one is better than the other the other. Both have great benefits, depending what you want to get out of it
If someone is new would like to try which one do you think is suitable for them?
I would definitely recommend a beginner starting with Mat Pilates first, as this is where the foundation of the movement are learnt in a more simple way without being overwhelmed by the reformer bed and the springs. In saying that, If you do already familiar with the exercises you will definitely be fine starting on the reformer