What is the primary purpose of shoulder rests on the Reformer?

The primary purpose of shoulder rests on the Reformer is to provide support and maintain proper alignment. Shoulder rests play a crucial role in ensuring that the user's upper body is positioned correctly during exercises. By offering a stable and supportive surface for the shoulders, they help to keep the spine in a neutral position and allow for better engagement of the core and other muscle groups. This alignment is essential for preventing injury and maximizing the effectiveness of each movement.

The shoulder rests facilitate a comfortable set-up for exercises whereby the shoulders can relax down and away from the ears, promoting proper posture and reducing tension in the neck. This supportive feature contributes significantly to the overall effectiveness of the workout, allowing practitioners to focus on their form and the intended muscles being targeted.

Other choices do not align with the primary function of shoulder rests. For instance, enhancing resistance is not their primary role, as resistance is primarily controlled by the springs on the Reformer. Similarly, while shoulder rests contribute to stability, they do not inherently allow for greater range of motion, and they certainly are not additional spring attachments, which serve a different purpose in the mechanics of the Reformer.