What's the difference between Mat and Reformer??

You asked we listened!

I’ve been asked a lot as to what the difference is between Mat and Reformer and which one is better. It’s a great question that I think deserves some attention!

If you’re addicted to Pilates, like me, you already know how great it makes you look and feel. It increases flexibility, improves strength and posture and increases core strength and confidence! What more could you ask for? There are many forms of Pilates that one can do to get the results they want, but what is the difference?

With MAT work, one uses their own body weight to provide resistance and assistance for Pilates exercises. Gravity and body weight are the challenges during this type of Pilates work. Mat work is great for beginners due to the fact that one uses their own body weight and learn how to control their body and muscles in order to execute the exercises properly and safely.

On the REFORMER, one is given an extended range of resistance and assistance through weighted springs. Through this system, support and assistance is given in using the proper muscles for specific exercises This, if practiced regularly, will create visible results sooner than in a mat class.

Both Mat and Reformer done together can be quite stimulating to the body and create fabulous results no matter what ones goals are. When done together one will notice a difference in strength and flexibility and exercises may seem a bit less daunting and painful due to the fact that the correct muscles are being used and nothing is being strained. This in turn will create everlasting results that can be used in any aspect of one’s life.

PURE Pilates and Commonwealth Sports Club work together to provide the best Pilates Mat and Reformer classes that Boston has to offer. Try them both and see what it can do for your body. I did – and I’m hooked!!!

Jump into the Holiday Season with Pilates Jumpboard!

Jump into the Holiday Season with Pilates Jumpboard!!


A true TOTAL BODY workout: Pilates Reformer WITH Cardio! Tone your entire body while burning an average of 350 calories per hour! Plus - you get the benefit of a killer leg and butt workout - what more could you want!

Try a class today! Classes start November 1st!!


Mondays at 630pm with Eric
Thursdays at 6pm with Tara
Saturdays at 930am with Melissa

*PLEASE NOTE*

Prior Pilates Reformer experience is necessary to participate in any Jumpboard class. Those with the following injuries should not participate in Jumpboard: Back, Ankle, Hip, Knee.

PURE Pilates Success Story

Kathy Gallo-Vines
















Diet: Started Weight Watchers in August 2009

Pilates Reformer: Weekly sessions with Maria since October 2009

Group Fitness: 1 - 2 Group Exercise Classes/Week

Cardio: 1—2 days doing 30 minutes of cardio

Weight Loss: 23 lbs!

Dress Size: from a 14 to an 8

Deep Breathing for Energy

September is coming fast which means changing leaves, cooler temperatures and the sun setting earlier and earlier in the day. Let’s face it, the dog days of summer are over. Sometimes it’s tough to stay focused and motivated with the sun setting at 4pm! We end up getting tired as soon as the sun starts to set because our bodies are naturally in tune with the sun; when it rises it’s time to get up, when it sets its time to settle down for the day. So how do we fight these mid day doldrums when the sun sets before its time to go home? Do you have 10 minutes?

Deep breathing helps re-energize your body giving you that boost you need to get through the rest of your day. It’s better than coffee or whatever energy drink suits your fancy because its natural and you’re not filling your body with caffeinated toxins for that extra boost that always ends in a crash. Not convinced? Try it for yourself and see!

Deep Breathing 101

Get comfortable. If you’re in your office and you have a door, shut it. If you are in a cube put your headphones on for a couple minutes and tune out. Find some place where you won’t be interrupted and find a comfortable position that you can stay still in for 10 minutes.

Close your eyes. Using imagery helps ease your mind and stop the million things that are circling around within it. This is your time to relax. Find a place or a thing that relaxes you and go there. Use all your senses to be there, smell it, feel it, touch it, hear it and breathe.

Start your Breathing. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Allow your breathe to be long and relaxed. Don’t force all your air in or out. Let it come naturally. Let this breathe take you to your place of relaxation for 10 minutes.

As a busy bee myself, I find that these 10 minutes of deep breathing help me stay alert, focused and calm throughout my day. Try it yourself and see how it works for you!

Melissa Dupuis
PURE Pilates Coordinator & Trainer

Staying Fit during Vacation

Last minute vacations before the summer ends? Stay fit while you travel!

Well its August, almost time to send the kids back to school, or go back to school yourself. Maybe you’re thinking of taking one last vacation before its back to reality and fall begins. Sounds like a plan – however don’t let your vacation plans spoil your hard work at the gym. Make a plan for yourself on how you’re going to fit in your workout routine on your vacation to avoid any setbacks. Here’s how!

Step #1 Plan ahead
Going on vacation is a time to re-energize and refresh your body and your mind, however it’s not a break from being healthy so don’t give up the good stuff like exercising! Wherever you end up choosing to go, make sure you are able to fit in some exercise in this vacation spot. And exercise isn’t just on the treadmill – try running on the beach or some Pilates or yoga!

Step #2 – Prepare yourself for your travels with healthy snacks
Traveling is always fun – but when we get hungry where’s the first place we go – to the snack bar! These places don’t always offer the most nutritious options. When traveling, whether by plane, train or car pack some healthy snacks for you and your traveling buddies so you can stay healthy and energized for your plans ahead! A cooler packed with fruits, veggies and nuts and heart healthy sandwiches like whole wheat turkey are a great choice! Not to mention saving a little bit of money!

Step # 3 – Dining out no-no’s
We all like to splurge and go out to eat when we’re on vacation – but that doesn’t mean you have to eat everything in sight. Try to opt for the lighter foods and stay away from the fried, creamy foods. If you indulge, indulge in moderation; one scoop of ice cream instead of the whole tub, or a lighter tropical drink instead of 5. You’ll not only feel better but you won’t feel as guilty and may I also mention that you’ll still look great in that bikini!

Step #4 – Don’t forget your workout clothes!
When packing it’s easy to say, “Oops I forgot my workout clothes guess I can’t exercise!” Think again! Pack your running shoes and your gym gear and you’re more likely to get that sweat session on your vacation to keep up your hard work and not miss a beat.
Try these on your next road trip and you’ll look fabulous before and after your trip! Happy travels!

Information taken from www.fitsugar.com “5 Ways to Stay Fit While on Vacation”

Breathe Deeply - Improve your Running

Breathing, it’s a natural every day occurrence within your body. You're doing it right now without even thinking about it. Summertime is a season for outdoor workouts such as running, swimming, cycling, and rowing. When you're doing these activities you need to power your muscles with fresh oxygen. To do this, you need to breathe deeply. Unfortunately, most of us are just breathing into our chest and not fully utilizing our lungs. Cross-training with the non-cardio workouts of yoga and Pilates can help. Along with strength and flexibility, these forms of mind-body exercise help you learn to breathe deeply and effectively.

Basically, your lungs are just a bit smaller than your ribcage, but we all tend to breathe just in top third of the lung. One reason being that like all muscles the intercostals, which run between the ribs, can get tight and inflexible limiting the expansiveness of your lungs. With a little training and some stretching you can breathe to your full potential, and increase your endurance.

How to breathe deeply:
Sit upright in a chair or cross-legged on the floor. Align your head over your pelvis while maintaining the natural curve and keeping the spine long.
Place your hands on the sides of your low ribs with your thumbs pointed back and your index fingers forward.

Inhale into the back and sides of your ribs filling your entire lung with air, not just your chest. Don't let your shoulders rise to your ears, since this causes unnecessary tension in your neck. It helps to remember that your lungs are three-dimensional and to imagine them expanding like a balloon filling with air, from the bottom up and outward.

Melissa’s note:
Running is one of the few exercises besides Pilates that connects the mind and the body. The next time you run be mindful of your breathe and make sure you breathe fully and efficiently trying to relax your muscles and focus the mind. Also be aware of your core connection, namely that pelvic floor. A strong center will protect your back as you run as well as give your legs the power they need to do their best. Try these tips the next time you go running and you will be feel rejuvenated and refreshed, kind of like how you feel after Pilates!

References:
Pilates Style Magazine June 2010
Fitsuger.com - http://www.fitsugar.com/Pilates-Breathing-Can-Help-Your-Running-8658546

New Classes at PURE Pilates

Two classes will be added to the Summer 2010 PURE Pilates Class Schedule:

Thursdays - 8:30 am - with Melissa

Thursdays - 7:00 pm - with Tara (PURE Pilates newest Trainer!)

5 Reasons to Strengthen Your Core

Strengthening your core (the muscles from your hips to your shoulders) is like giving yourself a full-body makeover: You'll feel smarter, younger, and better all over. Mark Verstegen, author of Core Performance (Rodale 2004), makes the case for a hard core workout.

1. It Reduces And Prevents Pain
"A strong core stabilizes you and works like a natural brace for your joints."

2. It Makes You Look Taller and Thinner
"When you strengthen your upper back and shoulders, the muscles are pulled back and down, removing any trace of a hunch."

3. It Delays the Aging Process
"A strong core keeps your body aligned, so that you can function properly."

4. It Improves Mental Function
"Having a stable and aligned spine allows your brain to receive your body's messages more efficiently."

5. It Improves Performance
"Stabilizing your core hones your fine motor skills, so you can react quickly and stay balanced on unstable surfaces."

References: Women’s Health.

*Melissa’s note: Pilates not only strengthens your core but it also gives you total body awareness, a longer, leaner and stronger body with less pain and more power!

Pilates Success Story: Naomi

"The Pure Pilates 30 Day Challenge has been an amazing experience! I dropped a size and a half in 2 months. It seems like every week my clothes feel a little different than they did the week before. I've found that my cardio workouts are more effective now that I have body awareness to recognize when my form is correct. I have more energy; I feel healthy and happy, and I can see the results in my day-to-day life."

Pilates Success Story: Crystal

SUCCESS SECRET

"Melissa added 2 hours of cardio to my weekly Pilates Reformer routine. I adjusted my diet to see better results: cut down alcohol, white bread, rice, & potatoes. I switched breakfast from bagels everyday to granola. Not only do I feel and move better, but its hard NOT to notice the results of doing Pilates Reformer."

What is PURE Pilates?!

What is Pilates?
Pilates is an exercise system developed by Joseph Pilates designed to strengthen and lengthen muscles, increase flexibility, strengthen the core, prevent injury, improve posture, balance and overall health. A typical Pilates class involves exercises for every part of the body and is performed on a mat or on specially designed equipment.

Mat Pilates and Pilates Reformer
A Pilates Mat class involves performing each exercise on a mat with or without props using one’s own body weight for resistance and strength. Pilates Reformer is basically like a traditional mat class using most of the same exercises except one is performing these exercises on an apparatus. The springs and straps on the Reformer allow one to use resistance in order to connect the proper muscles to the exercise being performed. Participating in both Mat and Reformer classes will greatly increase one’s body awareness, flexibility, and posture and core strength. One will see a great difference in their Mat class if they regularly participate in a Reformer session.

Private Pilates Training
During a private session with a Pilates Trainer, your needs are thoroughly assessed and met. Each workout will be specific to your goals and ability in order to obtain the best results possible.

Group Pilates Training
Working in a semi-private or group class is a cost effective way to get the results that you want. PURE Pilates has an intimate setting with only four Reformers, therefore you can be assured that you will still get the individual attention you need within a small group setting.