It's tough to find home exercise equipment that is compact, portable and can be used in a variety of ways. The CoreBody Reformer by Nautilus is one of those pieces of equipment. While it's described as "Yoga, Pilates & Dance in a Single Workout," it works just as well for the runner, cyclist or general fitness enthusiast who is looking to add some variety to her routine.
CoreBody Reformer: What it is
The CoreBody Reformer can be used as a foam roller, a balance tool and a resistance training machine. One of the best ways to understand what the CoreBody Reformer is, is to watch the YouTube Video I put together, which shows you how you can take apart the CBR and use it in a variety of ways in a matter of seconds:
My favorite parts
There are a lot of things to like about the CBR, but my favorites include:
- Its portability. When I first received the CoreBody Reformer and took it apart, I thought, "This is much heavier than I expected, there's no way it will be easy to tote around with me." But when I strapped it into it's straps and threw it over my shoulder, it really was easy to carry around. So, if you want to take it outside on your deck or take it with you to the gym, it won't be a problem at all.
- The roller video. I'll be honest - I have super tight muscles and don't do enough stretching or foam rolling. While I'm usually not the type to do exercise videos, I really enjoyed the roller video because it forced me to slow down and really target the knots in my muscles all over my body. I also learned a few new ways to use the roller, which was nice to discover.
- The balance. I know I said it in the video, but I like to fancy myself a balance training machine, and balancing on the CBR was much more difficult than I expected. The fact is, any time you're forced to work harder to maintain your balance, you're going to be engaging more muscles, which is never a bad thing.
- Its compact shape and size. I live in a small house with lots of furniture. We don't have much space for extra equipment, so we're pretty limited when it comes to the types of home fitness equipment we can buy. The CBR is so compact and so easy to store that I didn't even have to think twice about it.
- The workout flip cards. in addition to the exercise video, meal plan and food diary that come with the CBR, you also get a nice set of exercise cards that detail a number of leg, arm, core and stretching exercises. I'm the type who likes to build my own workouts rather than use a pre-determined workout video, so I found these to be a really nice tool. Plus, they're really easy to throw in your gym bag and take with you if you plan on using your CBR away from home.
- The washable covers. In addition to the blue cover that comes with the CBR, I also received a second "vanity" (my word, not theirs) cover in lime green. I'm a sucker for personalizing equipment with color, so I loved this feature. Plus, having two covers is nice because if one's in the washer, you have the second available to use on the CBR.
Considerations
A couple things to consider before making a purchase:
- Will you use it? This isn't just about the CBR, this is about any type of home fitness equipment. Unless you're the type who enjoys popping in a video or knows how to motivate yourself to use equipment at home, it will probably end up sitting in a corner untouched. If you're going to invest money in any piece of home fitness equipment, make sure you're really able to commit to home workouts and stick with the program.
- How tall are you? Again, I mentioned this in the video. I'm 6'0", and I would say I was at the upper limit, height-wise, for some of the seated and lying exercises. I could still perform every exercise in the video, but if you're taller than me, you might feel constricted.
Are you a serious strength trainer? The resistance on the cables is perfect for core work and Pilates or yoga-style exercises, but if you're looking to really strengthen your chest, back or legs, the three levels of resistance probably won't be enough without supplementing exercises with dumbbells or other strength training equipment.- Where will you use it? This one is a minor issue, but if you plan on using the CBR on a floor that's not "sticky," like a smooth laminate wood, you may want to invest in a rubber pad to help keep it secure. I found when I used the CBR on our laminate floor at home, there were times when it would shift or slide during exercises that didn't require me to stand on the equipment. I did not run into this issue when I used the CBR on the finished wood floors at the gym. Just make sure wherever you use the CBR, it's going to stay put.
Learn more
You can learn more about the CBR, make a purchase and search their additional tools by checking out the CoreBody Reformer website, Facebook or Twitter pages. You can also watch more videos by accessing the CBR YouTube Channel.
Purchase the CoreBody Reformer for $250 or less at Amazon.com >>
Comments
Hi Donna! When you're dealing with specific injuries/illnesses, I would definitely suggest working closely with your physical therapist to determine what the best course of action is. Your PT will prescribe specific exercises for you to perform, and I wouldn't suggest branching out from those exercises without speaking with him or her first. Very generally speaking, riding a stationary bike and performing exercises with bands is probably a good start. While this piece of equipment is helpful and good, I wouldn't suggest starting the program unless you show it to your PT and ask whether he/she thinks it will work in conjunction with your physical therapy.
I'm so glad the review helped! Please do keep me posted.
Hey Cassandra, Generally it won't slide, but I say that with a few caveats. The type of floor you use it on will make a difference. For instance, when I use it on my laminate wood floor at home, I need to set it on a yoga mat or another "stickier" surface to help prevent it from sliding. It shouldn't slide using it on carpet or outdoor surfaces, or even gym-style wood floors with a "stickier" varnish. Also, as long as you have at least part of your body on the CBR (one or both of your feet), it will stay put pretty well. The main thing is just getting used to it and knowing how to position yourself so that it won't move. Like with any fitness equipment, there's an initial learning curve where you feel out how to best position yourself to perform exercises, adjust resistance, etc. Part of the learning curve for the CBR is feeling out how to balance yourself on the equipment so that it stays put. I'm sure initially there were a few times where I did something that caused it to move, but I can't remember the last time that happened. I hope this helps! In short: yes, the CBR may move around, but with the right surface and a little practice, it shouldn't be a major issue.
Hey Julie, Glad you liked the review!
Hi Diane,
It's not that advanced users can't see benefits from the CBR, they can! It's just that the resistance levels on the cables only go up so far. Certain exercises, like a chest press, may not feel very challenging for individuals who are already fairly strong or who gain strength while using the program. You can absolutely add more resistance by wearing wrist weights or even holding dumbbells while also using the cables. That said, there are plenty of exercises that will challenge even the most advanced user because of the extra balance required to perform the movements. Just keep switching up your workout and challenging yourself to try new exercises and routines, and I'm sure the equipment will grow with you for a long time!
Laura
Hi Sarah, Thanks for the question! Because the foam of the roller surrounds a PVC-type material, I think it's actually firmer than your typical foam roller. If you're simply lying on the roller, I cautiously say that I think it would be soft enough, but it would probably be more painful for traditional rolling exercises than a standard foam roller. If I remember correctly, there's a money-back guarantee on the CBR, so you could always try it, then return it, if it doesn't work for you.
Hi Ruthie! I think there's a good chance you'd enjoy this machine since it focuses on a combination of Pilates-type strengthening, toning and stretching exercises. That said, I'd be a little careful trying any standing exercises on the CBR if you're prone to twisted ankles. It does require balance, and because you're balancing on a curved surface, it's more difficult (in some ways) than, say, balancing on a balance beam. But, it might be really good to do this type of balance work to help build strength in your ankles to help prevent future sprains. I'd just work up your balance slowly and be sure to be close to a wall or a sturdy chair while performing standing exercises to help with balance.
Hi Lady O! This piece of equipment will help you tone and shape your whole body, including your waist and back, if used consistently and regularly, but it's not going to help you spot reduce those areas, simply because spot reduction is a myth. If you want to buy this machine, I would suggest combining this workout with additional cardio (walking, biking, etc.) and possibly some additional strength moves that target the core. Not because it will help you spot reduce, but because as you build muscle, you will start to see more firming and shaping of those areas. Also, when it comes to weight loss and shaping your body, nutrition is a huge factor. You need to be very conscious of the things you're eating, focusing on whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains, maintaining a healthy calorie intake.
Hi Janice. I'm not a company rep, so I can't speak to that. You would need to check with the company to get more information.
Oh, thank you! Glad it helped!
Hi Tabitha, The quality of the equipment is in line with its price. As someone who used to manage gyms, I can say it's not professional-level quality, but for home-based equipment, it's pretty solid.
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