Balanced Body Rialto Reformer Mode D'emploi page 2

RIALTO REFORMER™/TOWER CE MANUAL
Table of Contents
» Rialto Reformer Introduction and Features
» Assembling the Balanced Body Rialto Reformer
» Reformer Exercises
» How to Install Your Reformer Tower Combo
» Tower Exercises
Important:
This manual is intended for medical and fitness professionals, or
persons with experience in the use of this equipment. If there is
a question regarding appropriateness of a particular movement,
please consult a licensed health professional.
Safety Note: Warning – the Rialto Reformer contains flammable
materials, please keep out of direct heat.
INTRODUCTION
The Reformer is the most widely used piece of Pilates
equipment available today. Consisting of a wooden frame,
a movable carriage, a footbar, springs and adjustable ropes,
exercise pioneer and inventor Joseph Pilates created a machine
that addresses virtually every part of the body.
Various spring strengths provide resistance and support while
the user pushes on the footbar, pulls on ropes or straps, and sits
or stands on the carriage. Exercises vary from simple isolated
movements of the arms and legs to complex exercises involving
the whole body. The exercises provide a challenging full-body
workout for anyone - from a sedentary office worker to an elite
athlete to users with injuries. Users will finish a session feeling
refreshed and energized without the usual soreness and fatigue
that often accompany a workout.
FEATURES OF THE BALANCED BODY RIALTO
REFORMER™
Headrest
The headrest is used to optimally support the user's head,
neck and shoulder placement while lying in a supine position.
To determine the client's position, the ear should be over the
center of the shoulder and the line of the jaw should be close
to perpendicular to the carriage. The Rialto Reformer has
three headrest positions that are adjusted by a support block
underneath the headrest:
Low (flat) – The support block is folded toward the top of the
headrest. Used for clients with relatively flat thoracic spines
and shallow ribcages for leg and footwork, and for any supine
exercise.
Safety Note: The flat headrest position is used for all clients in
exercises where they will be rolling up on to their shoulders. A
flat headrest will keep the client from over flexing the cervical
spine and injuring the neck.
Medium – The support block rests on the notch in the middle of
the support block.
High (up) – The bottom of the support block rests on the
carriage. Used for clients with a forward head or a deep rib cage
to facilitate correct alignment.
Instructor Note: A towel can also be used in addition to or
instead of the headrest to adjust the height of the head.
SHOULDER REST ADJUSTMENTS
The shoulder rests on the Rialto Reformer can be adjusted
laterally to accommodate wide or narrow shoulders. To remove
the shoulder rests, turn the black knob counter-clockwise and
remove it. You may then lift the shoulder rests out.
Narrow Shoulders – In this position, the shoulder pads are
shifted towards the head rest.
Wide Shoulders – In this position, the shoulder pads are shifted
away from the head rest.
Swap the shoulder rests to switch between these two positions.
HORIZONTAL CARRIAGE AND SPRINGBAR
ADJUSTMENTS
The Rialto Reformer allows the starting position of the carriage
to be adjusted for users of different heights. To move the
springbar, unhook the springs and lift the springbar to position
into the desired gear on the springbar supports.
1st Gear: In this position, the springbar is closest to the footbar
end of the reformer. The carriage stopper is at the position
closest to the footbar end as well. This creates the shortest
distance b/w the shoulder rests and the footbar. It is used for
shorter users or where increased knee and hip flexion is desired.
2nd Gear: In this position, the springbar is in the middle gear
and the carriage stopper is in the middle hole in the rail. The
distance b/w the shoulder rests and the footbar is higher than
the first gear.
3rd Gear: In this position, the springbar is farthest from the
footbar of the Reformer and the carriage stopper is in the hole
farthest away from the footbar. It is used for taller users or users
with limited knee and hip flexion.
The footbar/springbar adjustment should allow the user to have
slightly less than 90° of hip flexion when the carriage is all the
way in for leg and footwork.