Latest news with #reformerPilates
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
No, not planks — I swapped them for Pilates push-ups, and my core and arms feel strong and stable
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Recently, I crossed over to the not-so-dark side and put down my barbells in favor of an exercise routine I never thought I'd take up in my lifetime — reformer Pilates. It's not that I hate reformer — I think it's great, but I've just never really enjoyed it. However the change of heart all started when I was experiencing personal stress, and the thought of heading to my local CrossFit gym suddenly felt a little overwhelming. I always tell clients to listen to their bodies, especially in times of stress, and it turns out mine was telling me it didn't want high-impact exercise right now. With that in mind, I listened and decided to switch to lower intensity for a while (more on that another time) and Pilates felt like a natural and positive switch. What I'm getting to is that I found a few new exercises that I hadn't experienced before, and one of those exercises is the Pilates push-up. Now, like every movement in the fitness world, I'm sure there are many variations out there, but this one is killer on the upper body and great for spine mobility. Here's how to do it, and why I've been specifically swapping out planks and standard push-ups in favor of them. It's time to roll out one of the best yoga mats and give it a try. How to do Pilates push-ups Aligned Pilates posted the above demonstration video a few years ago, when I was in the thick of barbell snatching rather than mat work. In the video, Carmen says the Pilates push-up usually occurs at the end of mat work, and can be started whenever you feel strong enough to put weight on your wrists. Here's how to do it: Stand with your feet roughly hip-width apart Lift your arms overhead Round through your spine until your hands meet the mat Softly bend the knees if you prefer Pull the stomach in and up and allow your head to hang Walk out for four counts on your hands into the push-up position 'Pull in' by pushing through your hands and broadening through your upper back while drawing your belly button in — you'll create rounding through your torso On your tiptoes, walk your hands back in, then press your heels down and try to flatten your hands Roll up to stand, raising your arms overhead, then circle your arms to lower by your sides. Once you've performed a few rounds, add the push-up by bending your elbows and lowering your chest toward the ground. Gradually increase the number of push-ups you can do in this position before walking back in. Carmen explains that she can't reach her chest to the ground, but she keeps her elbows close to her body and spine lengthened throughout, lowering as far as her strength allows. Over time, you should find your chest gets closer to the floor, which is what we want to ideally see during push-ups. What are the benefits? There's a triple whammy effect of the Pilates push-up: firstly, the rolling stretch targets the spine and the back of the body as you roll down to the floor and back up again while standing, which is a brilliant way to mobilize the spine and stretch the lower back and hamstrings. Next, you can add the benefits of inchworms, which activate your core muscles and stretch the hamstrings as you walk in and out of the high plank position. From the plank, you'll benefit from the upper-body strengthening effects of the push-up, which targets the front of the shoulders (the anterior deltoids), pectorals and triceps, especially with the narrow arm position. Your core also works here to keep the body (particularly the hips) stable and spine long while you move your chest up and down. In other words: full-body benefits. It's one move, but it has the power to stretch, strengthen, lengthen and activate. Why am I swapping in the Pilates push-up? I would use push-ups as an accessory to perhaps my row or bench press in the gym during a strength program. But given I've been looking to nourish my body with gentler movement recently, this is the perfect way to add push-ups to my routine while moving more slowly and rhythmically. It allows me to take my time, spend a few breaths in each position and slowly add reps to the push-ups. Moreover, I get to use the Pilates push-up either as a cool-down or warm-up drill to activate my whole body before an upper-body focused workout, moving my spine, legs and arms through a proper range of motion that helps open and stretch. I particularly like the reach of the fingertips to the ceiling while standing, which feels like the type of stretch you do when you first wake up in the morning, then the release in my mid to lower back as I roll down and touch my fingertips to the floor, moving into my tight and sore hamstrings. Then, I still get to strengthen my upper body using the inchworm, plank and push-up positions, just with a little extra juice to squeeze. During this part of the exercise, I focus on purposely scooping my belly inward and drawing my shoulder blades apart to hollow out my upper body and generate tension in my core, which feels more active than it would during standard push-ups, making this feel more like a core exercise, too. Want to give it a try? Follow the video above closely for the comprehensive step-by-step instructions. More from Tom's Guide Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. New study reveals cycling can reduce dementia risk by 88% No, not sit-ups — strength and conditioning coach says 'this is the best abs exercise you're probably not doing' I tried slow running every day for 2 weeks, and I'm hooked
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I got hold of Aldi's reformer pilates machine – the straps are comfortable but you need to watch out for a key part
SHOPPERS have been going wild for Aldi's reformer pilates machine, which is £1.75k cheaper than the original version. One lucky person who managed to get hold of one has revealed their 'honest' review after assembling it and doing their first workout. 5 5 Toni Jeffrey uploaded a video captioned 'is it worth the hype' and broke down its features one-by-one. On her @toni_jeffrey account, she gave the machine a solid seven out of 10 and said it was a good reformer machine for someone like her who 'hasn't got a scoobys' but wants to 'improve flexibility.' She said she was 'happy' with her purchase as it has 'all the basic features' and is 'definitely value for money', with the machine setting her back £149.99. Some shoppers who missed out in their store were left fuming to spot the machines being resold for £500 on eBay - and others got in fights to secure one in store. However, Toni was honest about the pros and cons of her new workout device. One of the negatives was that she nearly trapped her fingers three times while adjusting the resistance. She also didn't love the strap length adjusters, calling them 'annoying' as you have to one at a time and one of hers was 'slightly longer than the other.' She was also concerned about the quality of the material, saying she thought 'wear and tears would be visible after a while.' She added: 'The fabric isn't the best (you're getting what you paid for I suppose, it's doing the job.' However, she liked the 'comfortable straps', the fact it was 'easy to assemble' and that the foot bar is 'extremely sturdy.' Shocking moment chaos erupts in Aldi store as shoppers fight over viral £150 Pilates machine She also praised the length for her being 5ft 7, but said if you are really tall you may struggle. Overall, she was happy with her purchase but advised that if you are a serious pilates girl that you save for a better alternative. With the original reformer pilates machine costing £1899.99, it is no wonder that shoppers have raced to buy Aldi's £149.99 version this weekend. Aldi's purse-friendly machine arrived in stores on Sunday and has adaptable resistance levels with five resistance bands and adjustable height settings. 5 5 It has a smooth gliding functionality, and has transport wheels for easy movement, and foldable storage capabilities. Aldi is also selling lots of gym accessories to go with it. Also up for grabs is a pilates pad, a three piece pilates ball set, a pilates ring, and rotation ring, Each of the products are just £5.99 each, and will help with strength, balance, conditioning and coordination. For additional strength training, Aldi's adjustable step deck (£12.99) allows fitness gurus to add in cardio with ease, and even includes resistance handles and a balance board for a full-body workout. As with all Aldi Specialbuys, once they're gone, they're gone, so head to stores quickly if you want to grab them. The 5 best exercises to lose weight By Lucy Gornall, personal trainer and health journalist EXERCISE can be intimidating and hard to devote yourself to. So how do you find the right workout for you? As a PT and fitness journalist, I've tried everything. I've taken part in endless fitness competitions, marathons and I maintain a regime of runs, strength training and Pilates. Fitness is so entrenched in my life, I stick to it even at Christmas! The key is finding an activity you love that can become a habit. My top five forms of exercise, especially if you're trying to lose weight, are: Walking Running Pilates High-intensity interval training (HIIT) Strength training
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Aldi shoppers left fuming after spotting store's viral £149 pilates reformer machines being resold on eBay for £500
WITH reformer pilates machines costing around £1,800, it is no wonder that shoppers have raced to buy Aldi's £149.99 version this weekend. However, shoppers have been left outraged after spotting that some people had snapped up the devices only to list them for £500 on eBay when they got home. 5 5 5 TikTok user Anna screenshotted her Vinted page which had numerous machines being sold for over twice the price. On her @annaleonora26 account, the upset Aldi shopper said: 'Resellers are jerks.' Many people agreed with her, with one person saying: 'I saw this too, some are on eBay at almost £500.' A second wrote: 'I missed out this morning by a couple of minutes and it's so disappointing to see resellers trying to make a quick profit.' A third commented: 'Was the same with the 5 in 1 styler a few weeks ago- They were putting them on at more than double.' Aldi's purse-friendly machine arrived in stores on Sunday for £149.99, and we shared how shopper Kasey Clarke was among lucky Aldi fans who have managed to get their hands on one of the coveted machines after it arrived in stores today. Taking to her @kaseyclarke0 account, she said: 'POV you won the Aldi war and got a pilates reformer. 'Happy Aldi reformer day to those who care.' The easy-to-assemble machine is £1,750 less than the Original Fold Reformer, which will set you back £1,899.99. The machine features adaptable resistance levels with five resistance bands and adjustable height settings. How to do reformer Pilates at home with just two flannels and a rolling pin It has a smooth gliding functionality, and has transport wheels for easy movement, and foldable storage capabilities. If that wasn't enough for your fitness journey, Aldi is also selling lots of gym accessories to go with it. Also up for grabs is a pilates pad, a three piece pilates ball set, a pilates ring, and rotation ring, Each of the products are just £5.99 each, and will help with strength, balance, conditioning and coordination. For additional strength training, Aldi's adjustable step deck (£12.99) allows fitness gurus to add in cardio with ease, and even includes resistance handles and a balance board for a full-body workout. 5 As with all Aldi Specialbuys once they're gone, they're gone, so head to stores quickly if you want to grab them. Reformer pilates has become a viral hit online in recent years with over 2.8 million posts being made about it on TikTok. While it is proven to be an effective workout, it can be costly. Prices for just one class start at £37 - not something we can afford to do multiple times a week. 5 Aldi bosses say: "Whether looking to strengthen cores, improve flexibility, or tone muscles, the machine is designed to help anyone achieve their fitness goals. "Complete with an introductory exercise chart, it's a must-have addition to any home gym." For those tech savvy trainers, a smart watch is also available for £11.99 to track your progress. When you are done with your workout, cool down with the foldable fitness mat for just £19.99. To make sure you get all knots out, use the massage roller for £3.99. The 5 best exercises to lose weight By Lucy Gornall, personal trainer and health journalist EXERCISE can be intimidating and hard to devote yourself to. So how do you find the right workout for you? As a PT and fitness journalist, I've tried everything. I've taken part in endless fitness competitions, marathons and I maintain a regime of runs, strength training and Pilates. Fitness is so entrenched in my life, I stick to it even at Christmas! The key is finding an activity you love that can become a habit. My top five forms of exercise, especially if you're trying to lose weight, are: Walking Running Pilates High-intensity interval training (HIIT) Strength training
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I was overjoyed to get Aldi's reformer pilates machine which is £1.7k less than other brands & will transform workouts
DO you enjoy reformer pilates but find the hefty price of classes or machines off-putting? Thankfully Aldi has just released a purse-friendly machine for £149.99, and excited shoppers are snapping it up. 6 6 6 Shopper Kasey Clarke was among lucky Aldi fans who have managed to get their hands on one of the coveted machines after it arrived in stores today. Taking to her @kaseyclarke0 account, she said: 'POV you won the Aldi war and got a pilates reformer. 'Happy Aldi reformer day to those who care.' The easy-to-assemble machine is £1,750 less than the Original Fold Reformer, which will set you back £1,899.99. The machine features adaptable resistance levels with five resistance bands and adjustable height settings. It has a smooth gliding functionality, and has transport wheels for easy movement, and foldable storage capabilities. If that wasn't enough for your fitness journey, Aldi is also selling lots of gym accessories to go with it. Each of the products are just £5.99 each, and will help with strength, balance, conditioning and coordination. For additional strength training, Aldi's adjustable step deck (£12.99) allows fitness gurus to add in cardio with ease, and even includes resistance handles and a balance board for a full-body workout. I'm a personal trainer - these 5 at-home core slider exercises mimic reformer Pilates (1) As with all Aldi Specialbuys once they're gone, they're gone, so head to stores quickly if you want to grab them. Reformer pilates has become a viral hit online in recent years with over 2.8 million posts being made about it on TikTok. While it is proven to be an effective workout, it can be costly. Prices for just one class start at £37 - not something we can afford to do multiple times a week. 6 6 Aldi bosses say: "Whether looking to strengthen cores, improve flexibility, or tone muscles, the machine is designed to help anyone achieve their fitness goals. "Complete with an introductory exercise chart, it's a must-have addition to any home gym." For those tech savvy trainers, a smart watch is also available for £11.99 to track your progress. When you are done with your workout cool down with the foldable fitness mat for just £19.99. The new stock came into stores on May 25 at selected stores. The 5 best exercises to lose weight By Lucy Gornall, personal trainer and health journalist EXERCISE can be intimidating and hard to devote yourself to. So how do you find the right workout for you? As a PT and fitness journalist, I've tried everything. I've taken part in endless fitness competitions, marathons and I maintain a regime of runs, strength training and Pilates. Christmas! The key is finding an activity you love that can become a habit. My top five forms of exercise, especially if you're trying to lose weight, are: Walking Running Pilates High-intensity interval training (HIIT) Strength training
The Independent
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Aldi's selling a reformer Pilates machine for less than £150 – here's how to buy it
Everyone is talking about reformer Pilates and with the likes of LeBron James, Hailey Bieber and even Ed Sheeran opting for a spin on the carriage to keep fit, the workout style has become wildly popular. But not everyone could afford expensive classes or an at-home reformer machine – until now. Aldi has stepped up with a UK supermarket first and will be gracing the middle aisle with its viral affordable reformer. The machine launched in Australia last year and will be available in UK stores from 25 May. As with all of Aldi's Specialbuys, it's first come, first served so you should be quick. Given the skyrocketing popularity of reformer Pilates, it's safe to say the machine will sell out fast. The reformer costs just £149.99, an insane 92 per cent less than the leading at-home reformer (£1,899.99) – which I reviewed and described as, 'not exactly something you'd buy on a whim'. Though I haven't tested Aldi's reformer, the design looks pretty similar. The machine is said to fold away for storage and comes on wheels so you can move it around the house. It also offers adaptable resistance levels with five resistance bands and adjustable height settings so you can be fairly certain it's compatible with all bodies. Aldi has also launched a range of affordable accessories to enhance your workout experience, like a Pilates ring, ball and pad starting from £5.99. Any of these add-ons can be used with the machine or as part of a mat Pilates routine. Pilates is a great way to strengthen your muscles – particularly your core – and improve your balance and mobility. It's also at the top of the charts when it comes to popularity, for men and women, so an investment like this will not only elevate your home gym, it'll also mean avoiding wait lists for classes and spending a fortune on sessions in the studio. Of course, if you've never done reformer Pilates before there might be some trial and error as you get started with the machine but it's fairly simple to get the hang of. Plus, there are plenty of free tutorials and workouts on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok from qualified instructors. If kitting out your home with a reformer machine for less sounds good to you, visit your nearest Aldi store from 25 May to grab yours.
