Pilates, a physical fitness system developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, aims to strengthen your muscles, flexibility and body control. Pilates designed exercises to help World War I veterans recover from their injuries and to improve dancers' core -- their torso -- strength. Pilates, which has specialized studios dedicated to teach Pilates exercises, uses a wide variety of apparatuses for resistance training, such as tables, barrels, rotating disks, exercise balls and chairs.
Malibu Pilates Chair
One such chair used in Pilates sessions is the Malibu Pilates Chair. It is a personal fitness machine that is marketed toward those who would like to meet their exercise needs in their homes. It is a less-expensive version of the exercise equipment found in professional Pilates studios. A Malibu Pilates Chair looks like a stool with two spring-loaded pedals that provide resistance and can be adjusted to your body length. The chair comes with a set of instructional DVDs and a wall chart with diagrams of exercises.
Not for Novices
Although the Malibu Pilates Chair includes effective features, it presents a few problems. The design of the chair makes in difficult for novices to use. Those not already trained in Pilates may find it unwieldy. It would not make a good first choice for someone experimenting with Pilates for the first time. The Malibu Pilates Chair is designed to help already-active persons tone up. If your interest is primarily weight loss, you may find the Malibu Pilates Chair disappointing. It will not provide a vigorous workout.
Bulky
Another problem with Malibu Pilates Chair is its bulk. The chair weighs 40 lbs., which may make it difficult for some people to move on their own. It also doesn't fold up for easy storage so it could prove an eyesore unless your home includes a separate room for exercise. The Malibu Pilates Chair operates on the principle of resistance -- your body weight acts against the tension of the pedals. The bulk and weight of the Malibu Pilates Chair help keep the chair stable.
Cost
As of 2011, you paid more than $400 for the Malibu Pilates Chair if you ordered it from the manufacturer's website. You could try the chair for 30 days for $14.95, plus a shipping fee of $29.95. You would incur additional shipping fees if you returned the product. The chair is available for less at other online shopping websites.
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