1. Necessity Was the Mother of Invention
Pilates, a fitness program that uses stretching and strengthening exercises in combination with breath work, promotes strength, balance and flexibility. Joseph Pilates began developing the method in the early 20th century in Germany. He started making equipment to augment his exercises during World War I when he was confined to a camp for German nationals in England, where he had been living. The first exercise equipment he built used straps and bed springs to make resistance-training machines. Pilates equipment has come a long way since then, though the basic principles of the Pilates system are the same. Equipment is available for all budgets, spaces and workout preferences.
2. A Simple Pilates Approach
Mat work is the foundation of the Pilates system. There are hundreds of Pilates exercises you can do just with a mat on the floor. Pilates mats are usually made of flexible synthetic material that you can wash sweat off of easily. They are available at sporting goods and department stores. A yoga mat also works nicely for Pilates. Books and videos detailing basic Pilates exercises are abundantly available as well. You can develop a very effective Pilates workout program with just a mat and a good book.
3. Get on the Ball
You can use simple, relatively inexpensive Pilates props to enhance your workout routine. A popular one is the Pilates ball. Ball exercises promote balance and muscle tone. A set of resistance bands can also add a dimension to your fitness program. These elastic bands with handles are a resistance-training tool, the descendant of the old straps and bed springs equipment Joseph Pilates first experimented with.
4. Pull Up a Chair
For something a little less portable but still easy to keep around the house, try the Pilates chair. The chair is a box-like structure with a foot pedal component. There are many exercises that use the chair. Most of them do not actually involve sitting on it. There are about 75 chair exercises that incorporate standing, lying down, lunging and upper body work.
5. Drive the Cadillac
If you have the space and budget for larger equipment, consider the Reformer or the Cadillac. With these pieces you can establish a very effective home Pilates gym. The Reformer is a sliding platform large enough for a person to lie down on. To use the Reformer you pull yourself back and forth on the sliding platform using a system of straps, springs and pulleys. You can do many exercises on this piece of equipment and tone each of the major muscle groups. The Cadillac is similar but even more elaborate. It includes components that allow a person of limited mobility to still work out multiple muscle groups.
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