5 Things You Should Do Before Your Pilates Reformer Workout
More and more people are embracing at-home pilates reformer workouts, and it’s not hard to see why. These exercises are fun, rejuvenating, and suitable for people of all ages.
Pilates reformer workouts are also versatile and combine strength training, stretching, and a bit of cardio. What’s not to love? They’re like a well-rounded gym session.
If you’ve started pilates reformer workouts at home, and want to know what to do before your sessions, we’ll help you understand:
- Five important things to do before a pilates reformer workout
- Why these five things are crucial before the pilates reformer workout
- How Vaissal Pilates products are the best for pilates reformer workouts
You’ve got to admit; after a pilates reformer session, you feel as though you’ve just received a therapeutic massage. You may even feel stronger and better aligned mentally and physically.
Well, these tips will make your session more enjoyable and ultimately enhance your safety.
1 - Engage in Warm-up Exercises
Warming up before a pilates reformer workout is essential as it helps prevent injuries by improving blood flow to the limbs. This is important because if the workout involves rapid movements, you risk straining your muscles.
Warmup exercises also activate your muscle memory—the ability to perform certain movements without conscious thought. This increases muscle flexibility and prevents the joints from locking.
Another lesser-known benefit of warming up before a pilates reformer workout is that it helps you avoid heart injuries.
Remember, vigorous exercise can strain the heart, especially after a prolonged rest period. Well, warm-up exercises steadily raise your heart rate, getting it ready for a more strenuous pilates reformer workout session.
Finally, warming up before a pilates reformer workout raises your body temperature. This, in turn, makes your body produce more energy, allowing you to work out more effectively without feeling fatigued.
Here’s a quick overview of different warm-up exercises and how they improve your pilates reformer workout sessions.
| Warm-Up Exercise | Benefits |
| Arm circles | Prepares the shoulder blades, chest, and upper back for movement |
| Standing roll down | Relaxes your neck and shoulders while engaging your abdominal muscles. It also relaxes the hamstrings and spine |
| Dead bug | Helps to stabilize and develop your core muscles |
| Leg circles | Warms up your hamstrings, quadriceps, and core |
| Pilates imprinting | Reduces stress and helps your body and mind to work in unison |
You can include calf stretches as part of your warm up for core stability and strength.
If you're pregnant and are looking for safe pilates warm-up equipment, we recommend the Pilates Spine Supporter. It’s specially built for spines with a C curve and helps with neck and back pains.
The pilates spine supporter also helps with your posture and enhances your mobility.
2 - Dress Appropriately
Dressing appropriately is one of the most important yet overlooked aspects of pilates reformer workouts.
Keep in mind that most movements performed during a pilates reformer workout are done with the back flat against the equipment. So, your workout clothes have to be lightweight, breathable, and comfortable.
The good news is that our amazing Cadillac Reformer Pilates Machine has an upholstered leather bed. The bed has highly durable EVA foam padding that enhances comfort even during an intense and sweaty reformer workout session.
Men can dress in slim or dry-fit shirts. Although the shirt can have sleeves, it shouldn't be too baggy or too loose because many pilates reformer workouts require you to move your arms.
Women, on the other hand, can wear a slim-fit training shirt or a tank top with a sports bra underneath. Athletic shorts, compression leggings, track pants, yoga leggings, and pilates tights are all suitable bottoms for pilates reformer exercises.
The beauty of pilates reformer workouts is that you can do them in socks or barefoot. If you opt for socks, we recommend that you go for a pair with rubber sole details. They are extra grippy and will prevent you from slipping while performing standing exercises on the reformer.
3 - Hydrate Before the Workout
Pilates reformer workouts involve moderate-impact exercises, so staying hydrated is paramount. Proper hydration before your pilates reformer workout will help your muscles contract and relax, ultimately improving your strength and flexibility.
Maintain a consistent water intake throughout the day, and remember to sip on an 8-ounce glass of water 30 minutes before your reformer workout. This will give your body time to clear the excess liquids.
Staying hydrated before your pilates reformer workout also:
- Improves physical performance
- Improves brain function
- Protects your spine
- Enhances joint support and health
Pro Tip: Your water intake rate before a pilates reformer workout may depend on the weather conditions. For instance, if you are working out in extremely hot weather, you’ll need to drink more water.
4 - Pay Attention to Your Diet
Avoid eating a heavy meal right before your workout. Exercising on a full stomach impedes the effectiveness of your workout as your body will be busy digesting and absorbing the food.
Chances are that during the pilates reformer workout, you'll perform multiple exercises. So, it’s crucial to eat something light like vegetables right before you start your session.
This will give you the energy to push through your workout without feeling exhausted or queasy. You could also eat easily digestible foods like yogurt, eggs, kombucha, and papaya.
For morning pilates reformer workouts, you’ll want to grab some fruit beforehand. Try eating a banana, some almonds, or some berries. These foods pack a punch and give you the energy you need without making you feel sluggish.
For afternoon sessions, ensure you've had a substantial meal like chicken salad or coriander burgers that’ll last until the end of your workout. We recommend eating at least 1–2 hours before your session.
This will allow your body to digest the food and generate the energy you'll need to crush your session.
Pro Tip: Avoid consuming carbohydrates loaded pre-workout meals.
Yes, some exercises on the reformer, like the teaser and short spine massage, can be physically demanding. But their energy requirements differ from those of, say, jogging, and you won't need that much energy.
5 - Clear Your Head
Pilates reformer workouts are as mental as they are physical. So, try to clear your head and relax before your start.
A great technique is spending about 5 minutes before the workout session to get yourself in the right headspace either through breathing exercises or meditation. This will help you to pay closer attention to your body's movements and breathing patterns, allowing you to enjoy a more effective workout.
Keep in mind that you’ll constantly be developing your ability to engage your body and mind simultaneously during your pilates reformer workouts. So, stop overanalyzing any mistakes you make. You’ll be alright.
Your personal growth and development are supposed to take center stage during your pilates reformer workouts.
Yes, the first sessions might be challenging in terms of movement or posture. However, when it comes to pilates reformer workouts, practice makes perfect. Keep trying until exercises that were once difficult seem like second nature.
If you still find it hard to put your mind at ease and worry constantly, try guided meditation before your workout.
Get Ready for Your Pilates Reformer Workouts the Proper Way
Pilates reformer workouts are fun when you adequately prepare for them.
They lay a deep emphasis on personal growth and development in addition to giving you killer abs. If you’re looking for effective ways to prepare for your pilates reformer workouts, the tips above are a great place to start.
Having a reliable pilates reformer supplier like Vaissal Pilates ensures you get top-notch equipment that optimize your workouts.
Whether you own an apartment complex gym or looking to start a small pilates studio, or looking for a pilates reformer for home workouts, Vaissal Pilates has a wide range of equipment that’ll suit your needs.
We offer different types of pilates equipment, from reformers and spine correctors to pilates chairs, and have amazing discounts on bulk orders.
Contact us today to learn more about how to improve your workouts and shop from our selection of pilates equipment.
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