Joseph Pilates developed five pieces of exercise equipment: the Reformer, the Cadillac, the Wunda Chair, the Electric Chair and the Ladder Barrel. You can find variants of each of the five pieces, and new Pilates-like equipment has entered the market. You might pay anywhere between $20 and $5,000 for a piece of Pilates apparatus. Choosing the right Pilates machine can be confusing. To compare Pilates machines, start by sorting them according to the setting in which they were designed to be used.
Studio Level Equipment
Studio Pilates machines need to be large enough for clients of all sizes. These machines take more wear than home equipment, and they need to have the appropriate props for advanced exercises and to support clients with special needs. Professional machines can be larger and may not fold for storage. They also tend to be more expensive. A Cadillac, the premier Pilates apparatus because it allows for more than 80 exercises, can cost more than $4,000. Usually only Pilates studios, not gyms, will have Cadillacs because of their size, and many advanced Cadillac exercises, like hanging upside down by your ankles, require an instructor's assistance. Studio level Reformers and Chairs tend to be more durable, with permanent frames attached and metal springs rather than bungee cords for resistance. Some pieces, like the Ladder Barrel, cannot accommodate an entire Pilates workout, but are convenient to have for isolated exercises.
Equipment for Home Use
Joseph Pilates developed the Wunda Chair specifically for home use. While living in a Manhattan apartment, he designed the Wunda Chair to accommodate a complete Pilates workout, and to function as a stool in daily life. The studio equipment manufacturers make home equipment, and they will have the best quality Reformers and Chairs. Keep in mind that a Reformer or Electric Chair may be difficult to fit in your home. Less expensive Reformers and Electric Chairs sometimes tout their lighter frames and ability to fold away. As a trade off, they often lack equipment needed for basic Pilates exercises. For example, a less expensive Reformer may be missing the frame to raise it off the ground, making the Semi-Circle exercise and the Balance Control dismount impossible. And in order to do the Short Box series, a quarter of the beginner workout, you will need the Pilates box, which is usually excluded from home equipment.
Pilates hybrid equipment
Pilates is not a trademark protected, and any manufacturer can call its device a Pilates machine. The Pilates Door Gym is portable and inexpensive, but is designed for standing exercises. Most authentic Pilates exercises are done lying down to engage the lower abdominals and deactivate the quadriceps and hip flexors. The Pilatesstick, made by studio equipment maker Peak Pilates, allows you to perform many of the Cadillac exercises and is often used in studios and at home. Whatever equipment you purchase, a private lesson with a certified Pilates instructor on how to use the apparatus properly can make your workout more effective. An instructor will also be able to advise you on what pieces or what accessories match your needs.
References
- "Complete Idiot's Guide to the Pilates Method"; Karon Karter; 2001
- "Pilates' Return to Life Through Contrology"; Joseph H. Pilates and William Miller; 1998
- Pilates Pro: Product Review: Pilatesstick
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