Back in the early part of the 20th century, a man named Joseph Pilates rigged the springs of a hospital bed to create a piece of exercise equipment. Pilates equipment, as well as the Pilates method of exercise, have come a long way since then. There is now a variety of Pilates machines to purchase for home or studio use. The reformer is the most popular. It consists of a moving carriage whose resistance is controlled by a set of springs. Cables can be attached to the arms and legs. This is what to buy if you can only afford one piece of equipment.
Buying Pilates Equipment for Home
Step 1
Measure your space. Many home models can be folded for storage, but they take up a considerable amount of room when they are set up. Check the manufacturer's specs, and determine whether you have enough room for the equipment. The average Pilates home model is 85 inches long and 20 inches wide. Those that can be folded for storage will fold to about 43 inches.
Step 2
Determine your budget. Pilates home equipment ranges from $300 to $3,000. The construction as well as the manufacturer will influence the price. Machines made by home shopping network-type companies are cheaper, but less sturdy and durable. The cables are usually made from rope, which can be easily damaged. In contrast, professional organizations such as Stott, Peak Pilates and Balanced Body have sturdier equipment.
Step 3
Check the heights of the people who will use the equipment. Some of the home models are too short for taller men. For example, the Pilates Performer made by Stamina is 85 inches long. In contrast, the Stott At Home SPX Reformer is 97 inches long. A person over 6 feet tall may be more comfortable when side-lying or supine lying on the longer machine.
Step 4
Make a list of your fitness needs and choose the most appropriate equipment for your goals. The reformer, which is the most versatile piece of Pilates equipment, can help accomplish any goal. The chair is shaped like a box with a set of spring-controlled pedals on one side. It can be used for a variety of foot, ankle and upper body exercises, and may be suitable for post rehab-exercise. The arc barrel, as its name implies, is shaped like an arc, and can be used for spinal flexibility.
Step 5
Examine the manufacturer's warranty and service contracts. Many of the cheaper models have limited warranties and little to no servicing of the equipment.
Step 6
Try out the equipment before buying. This may be hard when researching machines online, but despite manufacturer's claims, some machines can be found at local fitness stores. Check to see if there's a fitness conference in town. These events often have expos, which offer free or inexpensive access to the public. Some companies sell their floor models at a reduced rate.
Selecting Pilates Equipment for a Studio
Step 1
Measure your space and studio layout. Michael Arbuckle of the Pilates Center of Austin in Austin, Texas, suggests a minimum of 30 inches between reformers and advises against placing equipment too close to the mirrors.
Step 2
Evaluate your studio budget to determine the potential profit of purchasing extra equipment. Ask your clients whether they would be willing to pay extra for sessions with additional equipment. Also, the number of reformers you purchase depends upon how many clients you are training at a time. If you are only training doing solo sessions, one machine is sufficient.
Step 3
Check your certifications and the certifications of your staff. Each phase of the certification process covers a different piece of equipment. If you or your staff are not certified to teach on these machines, you may be setting yourself up for potential lawsuits.
Step 4
Evaluate the needs of your clients. Group exercise reformers, which allow you to train three or more clients simultaneously, are smaller and cheaper. They can be folded up and rolled into a storage space. They are also low to the ground. If your clients have blood pressure issues or muscular/skeletal problems, they will have problems getting on and off these machines.
Step 5
Look carefully at the service contract. This is crucial for studio equipment. Broken machines will cause you to lose business.
Step 6
Try out the equipment by visiting other studios, or trying them at exercise stores or fitness conferences.
Tips and Warnings
- Balls, bands and bosu can mimic the actions of many Pilates machines. They are far less expensive.
- Moira Stott of Stott Pilates advises against stuffing too many machines into a small studio space. This can lead to liability issues. The warranty on home Pilates equipment does not apply to studio use.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
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