Moving off the mat
I often get asked the question: “What is better? Matwork Pilates or equipment Pilates?”
It’s definitely not a straightforward answer, it’s entirely dependent on the client you are working with and what exactly you are trying to achieve.
Pilates Matwork and equipment are both fantastic ways to re-educate movement from a rehab point of view as well as offering fitness benefits. You can work "hard” with both – which let’s face it is something that some of our clients want (although we won’t always agree that’s what they need!)
Here are some reasons you may consider for moving off the mat.
- Joint compression and proprioception: Although one might consider that matwork is the best starting place for complete beginners, there have been many times that I have moved to the reformer right away when people are perhaps very mobile, or a bit lower tone or really lacking body awareness. Asking your client to push against the foot bar, and work off a stable base applies some joint compression and improves feedback - thereby improving awareness and hopefully posture and positioning. Of course, bear in mind if there is more force going through the body, which may improve control in some areas, it may create new challenges. We need to consider how working against resistance might affect the lower limb alignment for example, and address accordingly.
- Ability to get on and off the floor: For some clients, the mere act of getting on and off the floor will be a huge challenge and make matwork Pilates less achievable or desirable. Using a split pedal chair will enable people to perform seated and standing based Pilates exercises, which are obviously extremely functional positions and a for some clients, a lot more realistic to perform. If you want to do supine or prone exercise, using a cadillac may enable your less mobile clients to get the benefit from these exercises without the effort of getting down so low. Sitting on the long box on the reformer, or using a clinical Pilates reformer with a higher frame can also add great repertoire options for these patients
- Adding increased resistance to movement: We know that resistance training is incredibly important – whether you are trying to improve strength to recover from injury, or just undertake resistance training for all the health benefits it offers, we should be loading our muscles, tendons and bones. To begin with, Pilates tends to be low load, and used to re-train efficient movement and motor patterns, but once people have progressed from that initial stage, we need to get them strong in those movements or activities. Being able to gradually increase load and resistance through the variable springs makes equipment Pilates a valuable rehab and training method.
- Using resistance to assist movement: We can also use the spring resistance to support body or limb weight to assist in stretch and mobility. Many of our clients need to gradually work on increasing their range of motion, and using the support of the springs can allow for a more comfortable and supported stretch.
Applying your clinical reasoning skills to incorporate a combination of matwork and equipment Pilates will ultimately ensure your clients are getting the very best out of their Pilates sessions.
Equipment Pilates Training
If you are interested in moving off the mat and completing your equipment training you can read more about the APPI Equipment Certification Series here. The APPI Equipment Certification Series is the perfect way to begin your Pilates large equipment training. The training is split into 4 x 2 day modules and on each module repertoire will be covered on the reformer, cadilac, split pedal chair and arc barrel. You will learn over 120 movements for training lumbo-pelvic stability, scauplo-thoracic stability, spinal articulation and stretching throughout the series. The series is flexible allowing you to book level by level or commit to the full series - receiving a 15% discount. The first step of the series is APPI Equipment Level 1 - Lumbo Pelvic Stabilisation.
Upcoming Equipment Level 1 course dates
Perth 18-19 June (1 spaces) Melbourne 16-17 July (limited places) Sydney 23-24 July (limited places) Brisbane 13-14 August Melbourne 1-2 October Melbourne Intensive Series 10-13 & 15-18 Oct Sydney 19-20 November