Joseph Pilates developed the Pilates exercise system in the early 1900s. Pilates includes strength and flexibility exercises that mainly target your core, lower back, thighs and hips. The Pilates Reformer is a specific machine used for Pilates exercises. The Total Gym is a strength gym that you can use for Pilates exercises.
Identification
Total Gym is a brand of in-home strength gyms with several models. As of January 2011, three models are available on the Total Gym official website. A Pilates Reformer is one of several pieces of exercise equipment designed by Joseph Pilates. The Reformer is not a brand, and many manufacturers produce their own versions of the Reformer. Although a Reformer machine should have certain characteristics, the design and features differ among brands and models.
Design
The classic Reformer is a flat board that slides on either a wood or metal frame. It has resistance springs at one end and a series of pulleys and ropes at the other end. You stand, kneel or lie down to push or pull against the spring resistance in a variety of positions.
The glide board on the Total Gym sits at an incline. Your body weight provides the resistance for different exercises. The higher you incline the board, the more body weight you are working against and the more difficult the exercise. Although classic Reformers are flat, some models look more like the Total Gym, offering an adjustable incline.
Exercises
You can do many of the same exercises on the Total Gym as you can on a Pilates Reformer, especially if you purchase the separate Pilates kit for the Total Gym. This package is around $90, as of January 2011, and includes a Pilates toe bar, leg extension rope, two ankle cuffs and a Pilates instructional DVD. A toe bar is standard on the Pilates Reformer machine. With the extra kit, you can do over 35 Pilates exercises on the Total Gym, in addition to the over 40 strength exercises. Depending on the specific brand of Reformer, you can usually do over 100 exercises.
Bottom Line
The Total Gym costs between $600 and $900, depending on the model, as of January 2011. A Reformer costs between $500 and $3,000, depending on the brand and model, as of January 2011. Pilates designed the Reformer machine specifically for Pilates exercises. If you want to focus on this style of exercise, you should probably purchase an actual Reformer. The Total Gym is designed for strength training but allows you to incorporate some Pilates exercises into your routine.
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