a women is using reformer pilates at home

Shockingly, one in three adults in the UK suffers from hypertension, a condition associated with stroke, heart disease, and heart attacks. But, just a small decrease in blood pressure can do wonders to improve your health, and we’ve got just the exercise to help with it: Reformer Pilates.

This low-impact, high-intensity exercise is the perfect home workout to lower your blood pressure while strengthening your muscles, improving your posture, and crucially, improving overall cardiovascular health.

What is Reformer Pilates?

Reformer Pilates is a type of Pilates that uses a machine called a Reformer. Invented by Pilates founder Joseph Pilates, the machine uses springs and your own body weight to provide resistance.

The Reformer consists of a long frame with a flat, padded platform called the carriage that moves back and forth on wheels within the frame. Springs add resistance. Getting started with a Reformer at home is easier than you might think; Reformers can be used from complete beginners to seasoned pros.

How can a Reformer Pilates home workout reduce your blood pressure?

Regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to reduce your blood pressure. Exercise helps to strengthen the heart, making it more efficient at pumping blood around the body, while reducing pressure on your arteries.

Regular exercise brings with it more than just excellent physical health benefits; those who exercise regularly report much better mental health and wellbeing, with lower rates of mental illness.

Reformer Pilates goes one step further than traditional home-based workouts - the popular mind-body exercise requires concentration and focus, giving you the opportunity to truly detach from the outside world each time you workout. This can reduce stress - a major contributor to high blood pressure - and promote relaxation and improved sleep to further combat hypertension.

Tailor your home workout to your health needs with at-home Reformer Pilates equipment from Gymkit. Your body - and blood pressure - will thank you for it.