
It seems like anytime a friend starts doing “reformer pilates” (where there’s a machine involved) it doesn’t take long until they start seeing killer results, and I’m on my couch thinking huh, I should really give that a try one of these days. So when we heard that celebrity favorite Pilates ProWorks was coming to Lincoln Park and bringing their custom built machines, called The Fitformer, with them I finally decided to see when the hype was all about.
The Twister
Repeat on the other side. 1 yellow spring – foot bar 3rd position. Without Fitformer, place hands on ground, hold side plank, then add in ‘threading the needle’.
Sumo Squats with Shoulder Press
Epic Crunch with Hug a Tree

The Happy Clam
Laying on the carriage in side coffee table position. Hips, shoulders stacked and aligned. Head on resting bicep as other hand is pressing into the carriage in front of the stomach to keep abs and spine activated. Place the loop above the primary (upper) knee. Bring heels together and float them off the carriage two to three inches. Then open and close the top leg by hinging from hip and heels, all while keeping heels together. BE sure not to rock hips open and closed, so to specifically target glutes and outter thighs. – 1 red – 1 yellow spring. Without Fitformer, lay on the floor, add hand or ankle weight for more of a challenge.
Carriage Plank with Pushup
Feet on the platform, bend from the knees and place hands on the waistline of the carriage. Push out into a plank position, be sure to keep the hands below shoulders, engaging through the core (booty down, belly up). Holding the carriage in place add in a set of push-ups. Leading with the chest and keeping the body aligned as you go down and come up. 1 yellow spring.
Adding on – For the added challenge, take this right into Pilates burpees. After your plank and push-up series, bend knees so to squat into the platform. Release hands from carriage and stand up on platform reaching towards the sky, adding in a hop for more of a challenge. Then squat back down, grab the waistline of the carriage and push out to a plank position, adding another push-up, squat back into the platform, reach up and hop towards the sky. Repeat. Speed up the pace to really get that heart rate up.
All of this can be done on the floor. However doing it on the Fitformer adds additional benefits as you are forced to use more of your core and chest to keep the carriage from moving.
[Photos By Hallie Duesenberg]
babe I do pilates pro works 4 days a week and I am still not happy with my body. Any ideas?
Hmmm, Have you talked to your local studio? I think I’d start by letting them know what your concerns are and seeing what they can recommend/modify? I’m not a fitness expert by any means, so I’m not sure I have advice to offer, but I can sympathize with that feeling all day long!