By Darby Jones
With summer months quickly approaching, many people are amping up their fitness routines in anticipation of warm sunny days. People have also increased focus on their overall well-being as we are coming out of a two-year-long pandemic. According to Mindbody’s 2022 wellness trends report, which surveyed more than 16,000 Americans, exercise became an outlet for relieving stress and anxiety for many last year. The survey found that 43 percent of respondents exercise to feel better mentally, and 37 percent of Americans incorporated a fitness routine to help support their mental well-being.
One major change in the fitness world has been the rise of virtual, personalized training options. “I really think personalized fitness is going to be important and doing workouts that are sustainable. People are smart enough to understand that there are no quick fixes and that they need to find something that they really enjoy doing. They also want to know the reason behind the exercises that they’re doing and how it’s going to help them get to their goals,” says Sal Naklawi, a certified functional strength coach and founder of StrongHer Girls, an online health coaching program that provides Customized training and nutrition plans, lifestyle guidance, and community.
One particular exercise option that is especially great for both mental and physical wellness is pilates. Frame Fitness, a brand that is redefining the way we look at pilates, just launched a first-of-its-kind pilates reformer, the Frame Reformer. This at-home, digital pilates reformer is designed with a sleek, modern look that comes in two different colorways, “Sunrise” and “Midnight.” Each machine costs just under $3,500 ( $3,000 if you pre order now), a price that will go much further than paying for in-person pilates lessons everyday.
Frame Fitness was founded by Melissa Bentivoglio, a major player in the fitness industry that identified a gap in the digital fitness market as well as the pilates market. Poised to disrupt an ever expanding market with her Frame Reformer, Bentivoglio went through classical ballet training before discovering her love for pilates. She then opened her own pilates studio while concurrently designing her first commercial reformer in 2018. The disruptive company locked in investments from industry leaders such as 24-Hour Fitness CEO Mark Mastrov and Core Health & Fitness CEO and Founder, Michael Bruno best known for their fitness products, Schwinn, Stairmaster and Nautilus.
With a high-tech digital screen, the reformer allows each user to customize their workout experience. Frame has an extensive library of on-demand and live classes, so each person can choose their favorite instructors each time, or try out something new. The machine’s patent-pending technology is state of the art, including elements of a standard Pilates reformer such as a rolling carriage, stationary platform, and specially fitted handlebars, in addition to a novel patented dual spring technology that transforms a single platform into the functionality of two (think megaformer or solidcore).
To learn more about Frame Fitness or to take a look at their reformer, visit their website or follow them on Instagram for updates.
