We have always been big fans of the AeroPilates line of reformers. Stamina Products are expert at bringing affordable fitness equipment to the home. With the AeroPilates line, they took reformers to the next level by (among other things) adding a free form cardio rebounder option that may be easily switched out with the standard jump board or bar.
To sum up the study findings below, Dr Wolkodoff found that AeroPilates burn more calories while building core strength than when working out with a treadmill or elliptical machine. In addition, it was noted that unlike a treadmill workout, AeroPilates is low impact, dramatically reducing risk of injury or undue strain. Read on, but to jump to more information and to buy one, click here.
(SPRINGFIELD, MO, July, 2009) A recent study shows that AeroPilates with patented Free-Form Cardio Rebounder delivers significant positive results including decreased body weight, improved body composition, improved overall strength, improved flexibility, better balance, and reduced stress.
The study was conducted by Neil Wolkodoff, Ph.D., sport scientist. “One of the interesting results from the study was how effective cardio rebounding is at burning calories compared to using an elliptical or a treadmill,†said Wolkodoff. “In most of the cases the participants in the study were actually able to burn more calories in a non-impact way using the cardio rebounding versus a treadmill or an elliptical.â€
What is AeroPilates? Pilates was first developed in the early 1900’s and remains an effective way to strengthen the body and lengthen and tone muscles. AeroPilates simply combines traditional Pilates reformer exercise with cardiovascular exercise via a rebounder that attaches to the AeroPilates reformer. The result is a workout that develops the four components of fitness—muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness.
Research now confirms and quantifies AeroPilates’ effectiveness. Fourteen subjects with ages ranging from 23 to 64 participated in an eight week exercise plan, 40 minute sessions three times a week, which included traditional Pilates reformer exercises combined with Free-Form Cardio Rebounder workouts all performed on the AeroPilates reformer. Subjects were tested for fitness basics before starting the exercise program and tested again after completing the eight week program. The results showed improvement in key areas of fitness.
AeroPilates Eight Week Exercise Program Results |
|
|---|---|
| VO2 peak (measure of exercise potential) | 17% increased endurance |
| Decreased body weight | 11% body weight reduction |
| Body composition | 15% fat weight lost 5% lean muscle weight gained |
| Balance | 21% balance improvement |
| Increased core strength | 28% improvement in overall muscle strength/endurance |
| Increased flexibility | 177% better low back/hamstring flexibility 9% hip flexion improvement 18% torso rotation improvement |
| Decreased stress | 58% stress reduction |
| Increased strength/endurance | 24% increase in overall strength/endurance to body weight ratio |
| Anaerobic threshold | 21% improvement |
Unlike other exercise machines that only target and isolate individual muscles, AeroPilates trains and strengthens the entire body from head to toe with full range-of-motion exercises. And unlike mat Pilates, the reformer is made to support the body where it is weak and challenge where it is strong to achieve balanced musculature. This is important in posture, balance, and for performing well in sports like golf, equestrian, tennis, basketball, football, baseball, etc.
The patented Free-Form Cardio Rebounder workout is like bouncing against a mini-trampoline while lying down on the sliding carriage of the reformer. Four springs or elastic cords provide more or less resistance to adjust and target the workout intensity. The cardio workout is gentle to joints and connective tissue yet target heart rate is reached and maintained.
A separate study compared heartbeats per minute. The comparison below shows heartbeats per minute after seven minutes on a treadmill, an elliptical, and the AeroPilates Free-Form Cardio Rebounder. The AeroPilates rebounder workout elevated athletes’ heart rates faster and more efficiently than a standard treadmill and maintained the heart rate within the target heart rate zone throughout the workout session.
| Exercise mode | Heartbeats per minute (bpm) after working out for seven minutes |
|---|---|
| AeroPilates | 156 bpm |
| Treadmill | 141 bpm |
| Elliptical | 139 bpm |
Stamina’s AeroPilates reformers provide low-impact cardiovascular training plus the total body flexibility, strength training, sculpting and toning. AeroPilates reformer home units start around $400 (click here to check current pricing).
About Neil Wolkodoff
Neil Wolkodoff, Ph.D., sport scientist, trains both professional and amateur golfers in physical training and mental training for golf. He has trained a variety of athletes including NFL, NHL, MLB and Olympic athletes for over 15 years. A former strength and conditioning consultant for the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Rangers and the U.S. Freestyle Ski team, Wolkodoff now devotes his efforts to helping golfers improve their performance. He holds certifications from the American Council on Exercise, the American College of Sports Medicine, the U.S. Weightlifting Federation and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
He is a past contributing editor for the American Council on Exercise, past editor for the American Council on Exercise, past editor for the American College of Sports Medicine, as well as contributor to various golf publications such as Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Golf Tips. Wolkodoff is a sport science consultant for GolfTEC in Denver. His nationally recognized clinics on the physical and mental aspects of golf are sanctioned for continuing education credit by the PGA and LPGA.
His numerous awards and accolades include Best Personal Trainer in Colorado, 1997, by the Denver Post; State Director of the Year from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (twice); “80 People in Fitness to Watch in the ‘90’s†by Fitness Management Magazine; and Self Magazine citing Wolkodoff as “one of the best exercise physiologists in the business.†His Physical Golf Training Center is located at the Greenwood Athletic Club in Englewood, Colorado.
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