Equipment manufacturers accommodate consumers by designing Pilates equipment for the home market. These machines, with prices ranging from from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, are smaller than those featured at Pilates studios. Some collapse or roll for easy storage. Listed prices were accurate as of February 2011.
Choosing a Machine
While reformers were once the only type of Pilates equipment available for home use, manufacturers now make home versions of different types of Pilates equipment. Balanced Body, for example, created new machines based on the original apparatus. Choose versatile machines that suit your budget and space requirements. Easy set-up is also important, since you are less likely to use a machine that requires complex assembly. Many general fitness equipment manufacturers make inexpensive Pilates equipment, but you get what you pay for. The Pilates Guy, a Pilates equipment repair company, suggests equipment from Balanced Body, Stott, Peak Pilates and Gratz.
Wall Unit
Towers or wall units are versatile space-savers. Peak Pilates makes a wall unit called the Pilatesstick, which either mounts to your wall or attaches to your door with a temporary anchor. The device, priced at $149, includes a carrying case, resistance cords, a resistance bar, foot straps, a DVD, a door anchor and an exercise poster. The permanent wall mounting device costs an additional $109. While some companies only include a set-up manual with purchase, Peak Pilates features a 20-minute set-up and introductory exercise video on its website. The Pilatesstick is best for frequent travelers and people in small living spaces.
Reformer
Advanced Pilates students enjoy the reformer, as well as its add-on apparatus, but purchasing a home version with all the bells and whistles leaves a deep hole in your bank account. The Stott Pilates SPX Home Reformer Package offers a relatively affordable option. Priced at $2,399, it includes a reformer box, which adds depth to the exercises, a platform extender for taller participants, a roll-up pole and a DVD. The machine is 26.25 inches wide, 95.3 inches long, and 10.86 inches high. It weighs 114 pounds
Balance Training
The reformer is a complex piece of equipment that features a gliding platform called the carriage. Some manufacturers make reformers for home use, but they still take up a considerable amount of room. Reformer exercises engage the core and other muscle groups, but since the carriage moves along a track, it does little to improve your balance. Balanced Body solved the space and balance training issue with a small platform on wheels called the Orbit. Priced at $229, it features four wheels, a vinyl platform and two handles for easy transport. The Orbit is for exercises in the standing, supine and prone positions. This machine best suits Pilates enthusiasts training for balance-oriented sports.
The Chair
Gratz was one of the original manufacturers of Pilates equipment. It designed machines that doubled as furniture. The Arm Chair, which resembles a traditional, upholstered chair, is an example. It features a movable wood frame with two long arm springs attached. The chair's seat back moves as you perform the exercises. Priced at $1,000, the Gratz Arm Chair is less versatile than the other types of Pilates home equipment, but may suit seniors or people who have trouble exercising from a standing, supine or prone position.
Member Comments