Health Benefits Of Pilates Equipment

To rehabilitate hospital patients, Joseph Pilates invented the first Pilates equipment in the early 1900s using bed frames as foundations and bed springs as resistance. His machines were refined by the 1920s when they debuted in New York City and became popular with dancers, actresses and acrobats. The popular Pilates machines continue to offer health benefits to those who use them today.

Reformer

More than 100 exercises can be completed on the most popular piece of Pilates equipment known as the Reformer. Its system of springs and pulleys work the muscles while the user slides in any position on a gliding platform, which makes it fun to use. This machine gives the user a zero-impact muscle stretching and toning workout that is joint friendly, making it a great choice for older adults or anyone recovering from a joint injury. Exercises on the Reformer also increase your torso stability and postural alignment while working out your arms and legs. The adjustable springs promote progressive resistance exercises, which develop lean strong muscles without adding bulk.

Cadillac

The Cadillac is the evolution of Joseph Pilates first exercise machine. You can do more than 80 exercises on this table-top type machine and four-poster frame fitted with a series of fixed bars, levers, springs and straps. The Cadillac stretches the entire body leading to the release of muscular tension and deeper relaxation. It also challenges and strengthens your abdominal muscles, gives your shoulder girdle a workout and develops increased spinal flexibility as it strengthens your back muscles.

Chair

The Pilates Chair looks like a large square stool with a broad foot pedal. More than 70 strengthening exercises can be done on this machine in a seated, standing or prone position. Four springs create adjustable levels of resistance to give you a progressively difficult workout as your muscle strength increases. This machine develops neuromuscular coordination as it strengthens your lower back, abdominals, shoulders and buttocks. It's particularly effective in rehabilitating injured or strained muscles.

Ladder Barrel

The Ladder Barrel looks like it belongs on a children's playground with a four-rung ladder extending upward parallel to a rounded half barrel. These two pieces are separated by an adjustable sliding base, making this an effective machine for people of all heights and leg lengths. The exercises on this machine isolate and workout the deep postural muscles that don't ordinarily get any exercise. The Ladder Barrel challenges and strengthens your core abdominal muscles while increasing your mental focus as you concentrate on doing the correct movements. It also stretches the spine, which helps to relieve tension and promote relaxation.