As I age I have become dramatically aware of how important it is to stretch every muscle in my body every day. You have all heard me discuss the benefits of reformer Pilates because of the preferred way that it lengthens your muscles; through active and not passive stretching. 

Joseph Pilates developed his practice to be performed on many apparatuses, the most common of which are the mat and the reformer. Both forms build strength, tone your body, improve your mental clarity and teach you how to use your breath. But there are some key differences between the two you should be aware of before you choose one route over the other.