Pilates Machines - For Length, Strength and Flexibility

The main purpose of a pilates machine is not to bulk up, but to tone the body and to widen you rang of motion with better flexibility while lengthening and strengthening the muscles. It helps control movements made to strengthen muscles all throughout your body starting at the core. They can also act as resistance strength training. The great thing about the pilates machine is that you only need one; all the accessories for the machine can be combined with it at any time.

There are quite a few different types of pilates machines on the market today, but essentially they all give you very similar results. You should speak with a pilates instructor, tell them what specifically you're looking for and they can give you the best advice on which machine is right for you.

The Reformer is among the most popular pilates machines. There are two types; spring reformer which uses springs for resistance and gravity reformer which you use your own body weight. They are both a sliding carriage that has foot bars, jump boards and last but not least leg and arm pulleys.

The Cadillac is mainly for trapezes. It's the quite similar to the reformer, but without the bars. The Wunda Chare, which is like a bench only taller. It can be used standing or sitting.

Machines aside, another essential piece of equipment is the pilates mat. Most pilate exercises are done on on a mat on the floor focusing on the trunk and hips of the body.

The three popular types of yoga you may have heard of are hatha yoga, power yoga and bikram yoga. Hatha yoga is the style of yoga most practiced today. It is what you will think of when you think of yoga in general. Power yoga is a more aerobic-style yoga, with an emphasis on cardio. Bikram yoga is a style of yoga performed in a heated room to accelerate detoxification. Universal Yoga sells everything you need to practice these and other forms of yoga, pilates and meditation including universalyoga.com pilates mats, yoga mats, workout clothing, yoga tops, insense burners, Buddha statues, yoga blankets, universalyoga.com/meditation.html meditation cushions, uplifting apparel and yoga videos.