When you think about building strength, you probably picture barbells, dumbbells and heavy weights on the gym floor.
But strength doesn’t always have to mean lifting heavy.
Reformer Pilates uses controlled movements and adjustable resistance to challenge your muscles in a completely different way. From your core and glutes to your legs, back and upper body, a good Reformer Pilates session can deliver a challenging full-body workout.
So, can Reformer Pilates actually make you stronger?
The short answer is yes. Here’s how.
How Does Reformer Pilates Build Strength?
Unlike traditional mat Pilates, Reformer Pilates is performed using a specialised piece of equipment called a Reformer.
The machine uses a moving carriage, springs, straps and pulleys to create adjustable resistance throughout different exercises. That resistance means your muscles have to work against the machine while also controlling your body through each movement. Rather than simply moving from A to B, Reformer Pilates places a huge emphasis on control, stability and quality of movement.
And when your muscles are repeatedly challenged against resistance, they have a reason to adapt and become stronger.
It Builds Serious Core Strength
One of the biggest benefits of Reformer Pilates is the amount of work your core has to do. And we’re not just talking about your abs.
Your core includes a network of muscles around your stomach, lower back, hips and pelvis that help stabilise your body and transfer force when you move. During Reformer exercises, these muscles are constantly working to keep your body stable while the carriage moves underneath you.
A stronger core can help you move better, improve your stability and give you a stronger foundation for other forms of training.
Reformer Challenges Muscles Differently
If you’re already strength training, Reformer Pilates can expose weaknesses you didn’t even realise you had.
The controlled nature of Reformer exercises means you can’t always rely on momentum to complete a movement. Slowing things down and maintaining control keeps tension on the working muscles and can make seemingly simple exercises surprisingly challenging. You’ll also work smaller stabilising muscles that may not always receive as much attention during traditional strength workouts.
That combination of resistance, control and stability is what makes Reformer such a unique training experience.
Strength Isn’t Just About How Much You Can Lift
Being strong isn’t only about your one-rep max.
Strength also means being able to control your own body, maintain good positions and produce force through a full range of movement. Reformer Pilates can help develop muscular endurance, balance, coordination and stability alongside strength.
That can carry over into everything from your gym sessions to running, playing sport or simply moving better in everyday life.
Can Reformer Replace Weight Training?
That depends on your goal.
If your main goal is to maximise muscle size or develop your absolute strength in movements such as squats, deadlifts and presses, traditional resistance training should still play an important role in your programme. But it doesn’t have to be one or the other.
Combining strength training with Reformer Pilates can give you the benefits of both.
You can use weights to progressively build strength and muscle while using Reformer to work on core strength, stability, control, mobility and muscular endurance. For many people, that combination can create a more balanced approach to training.
Is Reformer Pilates Good for Beginners?
Absolutely.
One of the biggest advantages of Reformer Pilates is how adaptable it can be. The resistance and exercises can be adjusted depending on your experience and ability, meaning you don’t need to be flexible, strong or experienced before starting.
As you improve, exercises can become progressively more challenging, allowing you to continue developing your strength, control and confidence. Like anything in the gym, you don’t have to be good at it before you start.
You get better by starting.
Try Reformer Pilates at Raw Gyms Dublin
Whether you want to build strength, improve your core, move better or simply add something different to your weekly training, Raw Reformer is a great addition to your routine.
Our Reformer Pilates classes use controlled, precise movements to challenge your entire body while helping you develop strength, flexibility, stability and control. And the best part?
Raw Reformer is included as part of your Raw Gyms membership.
So whether you’re already lifting weights, looking for a new challenge or stepping into a Reformer class for the first time, there’s never been a better time to give it a go.
Book your next Raw Reformer class and discover a different way to get stronger.