Advanced Pilates Equipment: Reformer and Chair

To do Pilates you really don't need more than a floor. You have one of those don't you? It would be nice to exercise in comfort so a Pilates mat would be helpful. There are literally hundreds of beginning and advanced moves to get a complete Pilates workout on the floor. Ah, but we like even more comfort and convenience. Introducing two advanced pieces of Pilates equipment that can be used: the Pilates Reformer and the Pilates Chair. There are many more pilates equipment available but none probably as advanced and, well, expensive as these.

Pilates Reformer is a Popular Piece of Equipment

Arguably, the most well known of all Pilates equipment is the Pilates Reformer which consists of a sophisticated system of springs, straps and pulleys and on which more than one hundred exercises may be performed, which makes it an extremely versatile apparatus. The base of this Pilates equipment is the gliding platform that is used to sit on, kneel, stand or lie on the front, back or side with the exerciser pushing and pulling the foot bars while using his arms, legs, wrists and ankles to slide back and forth in a controlled way along the rails and the tension in the springs works on the muscles, gently.

The torso is stabilized using the Pilates Reformer and, the posture gets aligned while working the peripheral limbs in a range of motion. Because the springs can be adjusted, they allow for progressive resistance that helps to lengthen and give more strength to the muscles, instead of bulk building. This results in an effective and no-impact stretching as well as toning workout that helps the joints also.

Have a Seat on the Pilates Chair

The other advanced Pilates equipment that looks a lot like a stylish stool is the Pilates Chair, also referred to as Wunda Chair or Stability Chair, which is a very versatile exercise machine. The word chair may be a bit misleading as it does not necessarily imply a sit-down workout even though many Pilates exercises entail the exerciser to perform exercises sitting down on top and pressing down on the step/pedal with his feet. However, other exercises need the exerciser to lie on the floor or stand up straight while lunging forward or doing push-up like moves with his arms. The Chair may be used to perform as many as 75 exercises (at last count, there are probably more that you could conceive of) and is a great addition to the exerciser’s physical fitness regime.