Wouldn’t you agree that one of the hardest things about exercising to lose weight is staying motivated to put in the intensity of work that is necessary? Wouldn’t it be great if you could find an exercise that helps you lose weight without having to try so hard?

I’ll tell you honestly, at 40 or older I’m in great shape. But that did not come without much effort. And it’s quite common for me to drag my butt to the gym constantly to put in that effort. Like many people, I would love to sleep in and sit on the couch to be lazy. The problem is that staying in much less healthy shape doesn’t happen if you don’t push yourself. And since I prefer to be healthy and fit, I have to make sure and exercise.

Now, I still have a goal to lose weight on my fitness journey. In my efforts to lose that weight, one thing that has made my life easier from exercise is wearing a Pilates reformer machine. And I would be willing to bet, it can help you too.

Why?

Well, a Pilates reformer is designed so that you can perform full-body exercises with low impact on your joints but with great impact on your muscles and body in general. In addition, the reformer allows you to adjust the resistance and modify your movements to make the most of them depending on the condition of your body. In other words, reforming exercises will make your body work based on the settings you make. You’ll get results without feeling like you just went through a meat grinder (as some weight loss routines can make you feel). Plus, you have fun doing it. I can’t help but like that concept, huh?

There are a host of weight loss exercises that you can do on a Pilates reformer machine. Due to the number and types of muscles involved, here are 3 of the best.

· Leg press / calf stretch – With this exercise, first adjust the spring tension to somewhere between two and four springs. Lie on your back with your shoulders pressed against the shoulder pads. Place your toes on the bar at hip level. Exhale, pushing through your leg muscles to full extension without locking your knees. While still extended, drop your heels by pushing through your calves for a good calf stretch. Raise your heels and then exhale and bend your knees to lower your back. Focus on keeping your upper body pressed against the car and on adequate breathing. Repeat this pattern for 10 to 15 repetitions 3 times.

· Frog’s legs – Using a maximum of 1 to 2 springs, place your feet on the straps and with your legs at an angle of about 45 degrees, push outward, exhaling along the way. Then adjust your feet to point outward and bring your cures together to form a “V”. Inhale and lower your body by bending your knees and extending them toward your armpits. Exhale and extend your legs bringing your inner thighs and knees together while keeping your feet in a “V” shape. Don’t lock your knees and keep your legs at a 45-degree angle. Again, keep the focus on keeping your upper body pressed against the car and breathing properly. Repeat this pattern for 10 to 15 repetitions 3 times.

· Lateral stretch – With a tension between 2 and 4 springs, get into a kneeling position with your knees on the carriage while your back is nice and long. Next, place your hands on the footbar and your feet against the shoulder pads. With your arms extended, inhale and push the carriage back with your abs and knees. Exhale and then, while maintaining your upper body position, bring your knees toward your hands (pull the cart toward the footbar), swinging your hips into the hip sockets. Again focusing on your breathing and in this exercise moving only your hips to move the car. Repeat this pattern for 10 to 15 repetitions 3 times.

Add these Aero Pilates machine exercises to a healthy diet and you can see for yourself if the reform exercises will help you with weight loss.