Ever been told that reformer footwork is the equivalent of a barbell squat? Or that adding a dumbbell to your Pilates workout counts as strength training?

In this episode, Nikki is joined by mechanical engineer and Pilates teacher Kaleen Canevari to discuss the physics of Pilates spring resistance and the potential applications of Pilates and strength training through the lens of exercise science.

Topics covered:

• Why springs get heavier the longer they're stretched and how that resistance will change based on the height of your client and the exercise being performed.

• The math behind a reformer spring vs a free weight (e.g. a dumbbell or barbell) and how that influences the amount of weight that you're moving during an exercise.

• The difference between progressing movement complexity and progressing in how much weight you can move during an exercise.

• Why new movers often make strength gains early in their Pilates practice and how this may change as they become more advanced.

• Why standing on a reformer with a dumbbell is not a good replacement for strength training if your goals are to increase bone density, strength, or muscle mass.

• Why it's difficult to track Pilates based metrics and what that might look like in the future.

Connect with Kaleen Canevari

• Instagram:@kaleenc_

• Website: Pilatesphysics.com

Connect with Nikki

• Instagram: @naablevyfitness

• Website: naablevy.com

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