Affordable Equipment Key to Enhancing Core Strength, Says Pilates Instructor
Affordable Pilates Ball Offers Effective Core Workout Alternative
In the pursuit of a robust core, the need for expensive equipment or pricey gym memberships is no longer a prerequisite. Armed with an inexpensive tool such as a Pilates ball, one can achieve a comparable workout to that offered by a professional Pilates reformer machine.
Rebecca Dadoun, a seasoned Pilates instructor and founder of Pilates Prescription, confirms the efficacy of the Pilates ball. In an interview with Fit&Well, she asserts that the ball functions similarly to a reformer device, providing stability, a crucial component of core strength development.
Dadoun contends that exercises using the Pilates ball can replicate the effects normally associated with the reformer, and mat work, especially with the ball, can prove quite challenging. The ball also aids in maintaining proper form during movements, enhancing exercise effectiveness.
To demonstrate the ball's potential, Dadoun shared a core workout routine on Instagram, demonstrating the ball's capacity to yield impressive results.
Performing Dadoun's Pilates Ball Routine
Equipment required includes a Pilates ball (such as this one available on Amazon for under $10) and a yoga mat for added comfort. Those in the market for a new yoga mat should consult our guide to the best yoga mats.
Dadoun recommends performing eight repetitions of each exercise rotation and replicating the sequence multiple times for a comprehensive core workout. Committing to this routine several times a week will reinforce core strength.
The Pilates Ball vs. Reformer Debate
While the reformer may offer an additional layer of support for some exercises, Dadoun suggests that mat-based movements supplemented by a Pilates ball can help perfect core engagement. She posits that the reformer's perceived irreplaceable status may be overstated, and that mat work can be equally or even more challenging than reformer exercises.
Individuals new to Pilates may find the transition from mat-based activities to using a ball a beneficial approach, allowing them to master core engagement techniques before progressing to more equipment-dependent routines.
Next time you are tempted by expensive workout classes, consider giving the Pilates ball and Dadoun's routine a try as a cost-effective alternative.
Sources:[1] LaMotte, S. (2020). A beginner’s guide to Pilates exercises that will strengthen your body. USA Today.[2] Langer, S. (n.d.). Pilates ball exercises for beginners. Healthline.[3] Sherman, S. (2020). If you’ve never tried Pilates before or haven’t given it a thought in a while, this could be the perfect exercise for you. Business Insider.[4] Boulder Pilates. (n.d.). What is Pilates and what are the benefits? Retrieved from https://boulderpilates.com/what-is-pilates-and-what-are-the-benefits/.
The Pilates ball, an affordable and effective alternative, can be utilized for core workouts that replicate the effects of a professional reformer machine, as affirmed by Rebecca Dadoun, a seasoned Pilates instructor. With the Pilates ball, users can perform core-strengthening exercises like those seen on a reformer, enhancing their health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise routines.
