Should you get a Reformer Box?
Since the pandemic started, many people have been investing in home gyms. It’s convenient, it’s in the comfort of your own home, and it will probably save you money in the long run. Many of these go-getters have gone the Pilates route and bought a Reformer machine. I personally think that to be the wisest of all choices, but there may be some bias there! 😉
There are so many different types of Reformers out there - with legs, without legs, with all sorts of different spring tensions, with just two spring tensions, with bars that move, with bars that stay put, with big foot platforms, with little ones. However, what may first influence someone’s choice is, of course, the price. A reformer is costly. And all the props and add-ons are not given out freely either. That may be a reason why many have chosen not to purchase the Reformer Box.
The Reformer Box is a big box you can place on your reformer, the long or the short way, on which you can do an abundance of exercises. There are endless reasons for why getting a box is the best prop investment you can make with your Reformer:
The biggest reason is, you can lie down on your belly. In prone position, you will be able to move through many different exercises targeting the back muscles, glutes, hamstrings, shoulders and triceps. Pilates is about balanced muscle development. We don’t want to be working just our front body and exclusively doing forward flexion of the spine. We should be strengthening our back body and stretching the front of the body as well. While there are back strengthening exercises you can do without the Box, most of them are going to be performed with it.
The Box allows for many of Joseph Pilates’ original exercises like the Short Box Abdominal series, as well as the Side Bends. These target the abdominals and obliques while prioritizing length and lift through the entire body. Skipping out on these moves would be unfortunate.
Not only does the box allow for greater range of motion and offers a fun variety of more contemporary Pilates exercises, it’s actually a great tool for people with limitations. It may not be comfortable to kneel or sit crossed-legged on the Reformer; sitting on the box while working your upper body may feel a lot more comfortable.
If there’s one prop to get with your Reformer purchase, it’s the Box. There are now some more economical options, that I will link below:
Contour Sitting Box: this is the one I use. There are rounded edges for extra comfort.
Sitting Box Lite: The most economical option. This box is very lightweight, which has it’s pros and cons.
For mat and reformer workouts you can do from home - with or without the box - try my Online Studio for free here. You can check out all of my workouts in the video library.
Cheers,
Gabrielle Saran
Not a member?
Try our classes for free!
Cancel anytime