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Pilates Equipment

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Pilates Equipment

Pilates Equipment

Pilates is a method of exercise that focuses on creating lean, slender muscle through a host of stretching and strengthening movements. It is a low-impact workout routine that is ideally suited to people of all ages and fitness levels. However, in order to gain the most from your workouts, there are some basic pieces of Pilates equipment that might be required.

Arguably the most famous piece of Pilates equipment is the Reformer. This versatile little device is capable of helping one perform around 100 different exercises, without having to purchase a host of accessories. Roughly resembling a cot, the Reformer uses a series of springs, pulleys, straps, and bars to work one’s core muscle groups without causing a great deal of strain. Most of the exercises performed on this device are done so from a sliding platform that is installed between, or on top of two side rails. As much as three-quarters of all the common Pilates exercises are performed on this piece of equipment.

The original, and most basic of all Pilates gear is the mat. Much like a yoga mat, a Pilates mat is designed to allow a person to perform numerous floor exercises. However, this is where the similarities end. A Pilates mat is considerably thicker than a typical yoga mat, thereby providing a great deal more padding between the person doing the exercise and the floor. This is necessary due to the varying types of movements that are required, many of which would be rather difficult and uncomfortable if made to do against a hard surface such as a wooden floor. A quality mat should be at least a half-inch thick and should be relatively firm in order to provide a proper amount of support.

For those that are looking for the ultimate in Pilates equipment, look no further than the Cadillac. Name by Joseph Pilates after the famed American luxury car, this piece of equipment comes complete with all the bells and whistles. Originally designed as a means of allowing bed ridden hospital patients to exercise, this substantial piece of gear has evolved into the ultimate low-impact workout tool. With its many accessories, such as the trapeze and “fuzzies”, there are literally dozens of quality exercises that can be performed on this machine. However, much like the cars that bear the same name, these machines are large and expensive.

One of the smaller and more affordable Pilates machines is the Wunda Chair.  This “chair” is another resistance machine developed by Joseph Pilates himself and is simple in both form and function. It essentially resembles a box, but has one side that is designed as a pedal (in some cases there are two pedals) that is attached to a series of springs. But despite its simple design, there are a host of different exercises than can be performed without any additional equipment. And of course, if you’re like Mr. Pilates, then you can also use it as an actual piece of furniture when its not being used for a workout.