Tag Archives: jump board

Ready! Set! Jump!

Cardio AND Pilates? Just Add Jumpboard To Your Reformer Practice!

Pilates enthusiasts seldom associate cardio with Pilates, but the truth is a complete Pilates workout will get your cardiovascular system working  just as efficiently as any treadmill, stairstep, or elliptical trainer, and with more core control as a bonus.

Including a complete cardio experience as part of your Pilates practice can be accomplished in a couple of different ways:

1) The traditional approach is to move through the classical Pilates routine in a vigorous flow, moving from one exercise to the next. (Of course, this is done without sacrificing proper form!!), or…

2) The addition of a jumpboard session at the beginning of your workout as a warm up or as the grand finale is a more contemporary approach.

If you’re not familiar with a Pilates jumpboard, it’s exactly what it sounds like!  A slightly padded custom designed board is inserted into the end of the reformer. You lie on your back on the reformer mat with light to moderate spring settings and yep, you guessed it, JUMP!

The jumping can include simple jumping and running or can move into more dance type choreographed routines. The addition of hand weights or Therabands takes the cardio up another notch!

Whether you choose to include either of these options in your session is a personal preference. You can always opt for separate cardio training like walking, running in the park or at the beach, or hitting the treadmill at the gym, but if you want it all in one low-impact session, a Pilates jumpboard is the ticket to a healthy, beneficial cardio experience.