Pilates Equipment Buying Guide

 

Why Pilates?

 

'I must be right. Never an aspirin. Never injured a day in my life. The whole country, the whole world, should be doing my exercises. They'd be happier.'
- Joseph Hubertus Pilates, in 1965, age 86

 

This discipline, which has been around since the early 20th century but has only seized the fitness-minded public of late, improves everything – strength, balance, toning, breathing, flexibility, circulation, and coordination – through its combination of specific exercises and focused, choreographed breathing. The basis of Pilates training is the body’s core set of muscles, from which strength and power emanate.

 

What you need to know:

 

Pilates is a discipline, not a piece of merchandise. Hundreds upon hundreds of Pilates products are out there to let you pick your ideal personalized path to a better harmony of body and mind, but there are, accordingly, a lot of things to consider:

 

The most important question:

How serious are you about your Pilates? The most popular options for practicing comprehensive Pilates in your home are Pilates reformers – low-lying machines that provide strength and flexibility training with a gliding carriage and adjustable levels of pulley-based resistance. Lower-cost, no-assistance options – exercise or medicine balls, Pilates videos, Pilates rings – and high-end items like commercial-grade studio systems are alternatives that help define the Pilates spectrum.

 

Cost – Reformers can run anywhere from $150 to over $5,000. Higher price points include features like cardio capability, more exercises, more resistance levels, an elevated frame for greater range of motion, and more rugged construction.

 

Function – Reformers are designed with a sliding carriage and a variety of pulley systems that provide adjustable levels of resistance. The more exercise and resistance options, the more complete your workout; the more elevation, the greater your range of motion.

 

Range of exercise – There are three important considerations in a reformer’s exercise range: number of resistance levels; number of exercises; and cardiovascular training capability.

 

More resistance levels allow users more specific, more personalized workouts. Even the lowest-cost reformers offer at least three resistance levels; high-end reformers can offer five or more. More exercises provide training for a greater variety of muscles.

 

Most high-end and mid-range reformers – like Stamina’s highly touted Aero Pilates line– come with either a jumpboard or rebounder for trampoline-like cardiovascular training. These features – which can be added as accessories to lower-priced items – help users burn calories for more efficiently by combining strength, flexibility, and endurance training in one workout.

 

Size – Reformers sit on the floor but usually fold or stack quite neatly in a corner. The more the floor clearance, the greater the user’s range of motion; the longer and wider the reformer, the more body types it will comfortably accommodate.

 

Construction – Most reformer frames are made of either hardwood or steel; both materials are durable, but they offer different aesthetics. The padding, upholstery, and headrest materials are generally more durable and generous at the higher price points.

 

Space-saving design – Some of the lower-price, non-elevated reformers can fold for easy storage. They can also be placed on stands (sold separately) to provide greater range of motion with increased elevation.

 

Additional features – The jump from residential-scale to commercial-scale reformers adds price…and a whole lot of fancy details to help you optimize each and every exercise. Adjustable shoulder blocks and footbars, adjustable pulley systems, jumpboards, lumbar support, handles, ropes, risers, and more help high-end reformers customize themselves to fit any Pilates goal.

 

Reformer accessories – You can enhance any reformer with a workout video that demonstrates correct Pilates exercises. Lower-price products can add features like stands, for elevation; a rebounder, for cardio capability (available on Stamina products only); and a box-and-pole set, for a slew of additional exercises.

 

Studio systems stand proudly atop the Pilates market – they are commercial-based, professional-quality systems that include every workout element of the Pilates discipline. Get features like: an overhead pole system, full trapeze system, push-though and roll-down bars, hanging straps and foot and hand loops – all with a galvanized frame, solid-wood construction, padded mats, and more. Also known as Cadillac systems or trapeze tables, these systems are among the most versatile and comprehensive in the fitness industry.

 

Wunda Chairs, or variations thereof, feature a step or pedal with adjustable spring resistance. They focus on the legs and torso but can adjust to train many parts of the body. When not in use for training, the chairs can act as – or convert into – pieces of furniture designed to blend with a wide range of décors.

 

What about Barrel/Spine correctors?
They’re padded, solid-wood constructions designed for enhanced strengthening and stretching exercises of your hard-to-target shoulders, back, and torso. Open your chest, align your spine, improve posture, and tone your muscles with these tools, some of the discipline’s most challenging.

 

 

Other tools

 

Videos – Provide programs, exercises, and tips to go with every piece of equipment – or without any equipment at all.

 

Exercise balls – lightweight, inflatable training tools for the core. Available in a wide variety of sizes and colors.

 

Medicine balls – weighted training tools to target core and upper-body muscles. Available in a wide variety of sizes, weights, and colors.

 

Rings – lightweight tool to work every part of the body – position, squeeze, switch.

 

Resistance bands – perfect for muscle strengthening, rehab, flexibility training, available in different resistance levels.

 

Mats – a little – or big, depending – layer of comfort between your floor and your workout.

 

Need more help?

 

Our Customer service is available at (800) 718-1710, seven days a week. These experts are here to help you with any questions you have and to ensure that you purchase the inversion table that is best for you.