Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Oh My!

I may have gone 2 weeks without working out (for a vacation) but I have been fairly consistent with exercising 3-7 days a week, for the past 15 years.   That’s anywhere from 1,095-2,550 days of exercise.  Out of all of those days I probably only attended a Pilates class 10-20 times.  It’s something I had a hard time getting in to.  I never thought it was challenging.  I specifically remember leaving the YMCA Pilates class and heading straight to the weight room or to the treadmill because I felt I didn’t get much of a workout.
I usually train on Saturdays.  But recently I had a few cancels and part of my morning freed up.  I decided to take time and give Pilates another try.  But this time, I wanted something more challenging.  I wanted something new.  I wanted the reformer, the Cadillac, and the chair.  These are crazy pieces of equipment typically used in Pilates that look torturous and complicated, but are very effective and relatively easy to use.
I emailed TruCore Pilates to book a private appointment.  They have locations in Deer Park and Barrington.  The owner immediately emailed me back to confirm a spot and I was scheduled for a private session in a few days.  I had no idea really what I was going to feel.  I made sure to do a lighter exercise session the previous day just in case.  The person I had an appointment with knew that I was a trainer so I was afraid I might be pushed harder.
The Barrington location just opened that past week, so everything was fresh and new.  I met Luann, the owner and head trainer.  After filling out health forms we immediately started with the reformer.  This piece of equipment has springs, resistance bands, pulleys, a shoulder block, and a comfy platform.   There are endless exercises that can be performed on this machine that works your upper body all the way to your toes.  We focused on legs, triceps, shoulders, and much emphasis on the core.  The entire time she had me concentrate on my breathing and making sure I was recruiting all the right muscles for each exercise.
We also tried the chair for a few moves and the mother of all Pilates equipment, the Cadillac.  This piece of equipment is HUGE and is also called the trapeze table.  Luann told me it was originally used for rehabilitating injured, bedridden soldiers during World War II.  There are two ends with various bars and springs and bars across the top with a trapeze ball.  We did some stretches and leg strengthening exercises using straps around my feet while supine that required a lot of focus and control.
I left there feeling energized and eager to learn more.  I also left there sore from top of my pelvis to my sternum for the next 2 days.  It even hurt to laugh.  That’s what I was looking for in a Pilates class.  If my schedule allows, I may participate in some drop in classes.
For those looking for something new, I would recommend TruCore for a one-on-one appointment and then some classes.  They also have TRX classes, which I am also a huge fan of and incorporate in to many of my clients routines.  For more information, check out their website http://www.trucorepilates.com/