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Frame Construction Usage Grade Portability Storage Resistance Type Carriage Height Headrest Footbar Promotions Your Goals | The Pilates Superstore › Pilates Equipment Buying Guide
Pilates Equipment Buying Guide Pilates Basics
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 The Pilates 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 bodys core set of muscles, perhaps better termed the powerhouse, from which strength and power emanate. 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 first things first: What type of equipment are you looking for? Reformers A reformer is typically the first major purchase for anyone who is becoming more serious about Pilates. Any reformer will offer a wide range of exercises to help you increase flexibility, improve posture, lengthen muscles and achieve a strenthened and sculpted core. How do you decide which one is right for you? First determine who will be using it most, and where it will be used, and we can help you find the reformer that's best for you. Reformers 3 Minutes, 3 Key Decisions More Time? More Pilates Equipment Smaller Equipment
3 Key Decisions The overall design of each reformer is tailored to fit the needs of the intended user. Features like carriage height will vary depending on the experience level and use location. Whether or not the reformer has wheels is dependent upon the particular storage needs of the Pilates trainer. For example, if you are beginner to the Pilates discipline, then a basic, home-use reformer with a low carriage height and removable footbar will best suit you. However, athletes more accustomed to regimented Pilates routines will want a higher-end reformer with greater versatility and more feature options. No matter what your experience level or intended use location, we have the right reformer for you. Depending on who will be using the particular reformer you wish you purchase, we can help you find the perfect fit.
| Home Users - Beginners - If you are new to Pilates, but know that you would like to get more serious about your routine at home, these are the reformers for you. Here, you will find high-value reformers with basic features. These tend to be less versatile than their higher-end counterparts, but are much easier to store in the home. Their smaller frames, removable parts, and portability wheels make them ideal for storage in a closet or under a bed. Perfect for first-time users, these reformers will save you both space and money. |  |
| Home Users - Experienced - The reformers you find here are intended for use in the home, but offer more features and greater versatility that those intended for beginners. If you are versed in the Pilates discipline and would like to augment your at-home routine, check out the reformers in this category. These feature-rich reformers will provide the same exercise variability as professional grade reformers, but on a scale more suitable for your living room or personal gym. Price variance among reformers in this category is based upon the innovation of design, as well as the quality of materials used in the construction of the frame. |  |
| Professional Instructors - If you are a professional Pilates instructor looking to outfit your studio, you know that the ideal reformer for your use will be one that provides ample carriage height, increasing visibility for your students during your lessons. These reformers are designed with you in mind each one is commercial grade, and is slightly taller than the ones you'll want to provide for your students. They are higher quality than ones designed for home use, and offer all the versatility that a pro could ask for. Wondering why Rehab reformers are listed here as well? These are the tallest available and will provide the greatest visibility as it appropriately elevates you above your largest class. |  |
| Rehab Patients - Rehab reformers are intended for users who have limited mobility due to pain or weathered joints. In reality, these reformers accommodate Pilates trainers of all physical abilities and experience levels, however, their tall carriage height are ideal for the recovering athlete or the seasoned Pilates veteran. The reformers you find here are the tallest and most durable available. Their wider frames and higher carriages can accommodate heavy users like a full professional sports team and are perfect for high use in a clinical setting or any athletic training facility. |  |
| Pilates Students/Classes - Looking to outfit your Pilates studio or gym? Any of these reformers are ideal for just that: Their high-quality, commercial-grade frames can withstand frequent use, while also offering unique storage features. Some are stackable, while others fold down to a compact size. So, if you're looking to buy a number of reformers for your class that won't take up too much room, you're in the right place choose among any of these reformers to best equip your Pilates students. |  |
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| The reformers we offer come in a variety of sizes and weights, depending on the materials used to construct the frame. Few of our reformers are stackable or folding, so be sure you know what kind of space is available for your new piece of equipment before determining which reformer is right for you.
|  | Living Room/Bedroom - If your space is limited, check out our recommendations for reformers that are smaller in size or that are rolling or folding. These are ideal for those who want to step up their Pilates routine without sacrificing their living space. |
|  | Workout Room/Garage - If you plan to use your reformer at home, and have a sizeable space set aside for it, any of these reformers will work perfectly. Though slightly pricier than the reformers we'd recommend for your living room or bedroom, these reformers are bigger and more durable, while remaining suitable for personal use at home. If you've got the room for it, and can spare a little extra cash for the quality of the frame construction, we'd recommended any of these reformers for your garage or personal workout room. |
| | | Physical Therapy Clinic - For physical therapists or personal trainers looking to outfit their clinic or athletic training facilities, we'd recommend you check out our rehab reformers. These reformers will safely and comfortably accommodate any user especially if a recent injury has restricted their mobility. If you want to provide your rehabilitating patients with a high-quality, highly versatile piece of equipment, one of these reformers, with their taller carriages and larger frames, will be your best bet. |
| | | Pilates Studio/Gym - These reformers are all pieces of commercial grade equipment - suitable for high use by users of all sizes and weight. If you're not limited by space restrictions, any of these reformers will offer the highest quality of frame material, and the greatest versatility with regard to the possible exercises one can perform. Each of these are constructed to withstand frequent use by serious users. |
| | Back to Top | Your preferred style of Pilates equipment may be an important factor in deciding which reformer to buy. If you stay true to the original designs of Joseph Pilates, then a purely traditional reformer is what you want. However, because his original pieces were designed to accommodate the limited space of his New York studio, traditional pieces are smaller and less versatile than more modern pieces. Browse through the different style options we offer to help you decide upon that perfect Pilates reformer.
| Purely Traditional - There is only one reformer that is true to Joseph Pilates' original design: Peak Pilates Classic Reformer. Originally designed to accommodate a small, New York City studio, a traditional-style reformer is smaller and slightly less versatile than others you'll find, but will save you space. If purely traditional Pilates equipment is important to you, be sure to peruse the other traditional pieces of equipment offered by Peak Pilates: the Traditional Cadillac and the Wunda Chair. |  |
| Modified - Modified reformers improve upon Joseph Pilates' original design. The reformers you'll find here are more versatile, and slightly bigger than the traditional or classic style reformer. These will vary by overall size particularly the height of the carriage. If you want a reformer that doesn't stray far from the traditional Pilates design, check out any of these high-quality modified versions of the original. |  |
| Innovative - Reformers that fold, stack, or are constructed by light-weight aluminum make up what we consider innovative. If storage or portability is a major deciding factor, you'll likely find what you're looking for here. These reformers are highly versatile machines, and are incredibly unique with regard to their innovative construction and design the number of different exercises they offer is truly impressive. | |
| Doesn't Matter - If style is not an important factor in deciding which reformer to buy, then browse through our full line of Pilates reformers. If you can't decide among these, refer to our Buying Guide for help on exactly how to shop for the right reformer. |  |
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| If you're in the market for a Pilates reformer, it ultimately comes down to the dollar. After assessing space limitations, your style preference, and of course, who will be using it, you should be able to decide what you can afford, what you can afford to give up, and whether or not you just want the best your money can buy.
|  | Under $1,000 - Our reformers Under $1,000 are generally the most basic in design and use the most cost-effective materials. These are intended for home use, and designed with the amateur Pilates trainer in mind. These machines are more compact and lightweight, and will be the easiest to store away under the bed or in a closet. Slightly less versatile than their pricier counterparts, any of these reformers are perfect for beginners just developing their at-home Pilates routine. |
|  | $1,000 to $4,000 - The bulk of our reformers belong to the $1,000 to $4,000 price range. Honestly, spending a little bit more will give you a lot: any of these reformers offer the highest quality design and construction, and are backed by the biggest names in the business. These reformers offer more feature-based options and greater versatility in the possible exercises one can perform. The greatest variance you will find within this list will be in overall style. Once you've determined your space limitations and personal preference, you'll be able to find the perfect high-quality reformer for you. |
|  | Over $4,000 - The reformers you find in this price range have the biggest and strongest frames, the tallest carriage height, and extremely versatile design. They are highly functional and easily accessible to users of all experience levels. Each of these reformers is constructed with commercial-grade materials and are geared more for high-use in a clinical setting or athletic training facility. |
| | Back to Top | Resistance on a reformer is affected by a number of factors. Given the sliding carriage and pulley system design of a Pilates reformer, resistance is greatly affected by the user's weight. Depending on the exercise you are performing at a given time, resistance can also be augmented by adjusting the resistance cords or springs beneath the carriage. Because any reformer can offer any number of resistance levels, we have defined resistance type here as either cords or springs, depending on what you find beneath the reformer's carriage.
| Elastic Cords - Elastic cords are sometimes used in place of metal springs as the means of creating resistance beneath the reformer's carriage. These are more cost-effective than coiled springs, but will show wear after prolonged use. The carriage resistance of any of these reformers can be adjusted by simply removing or adding the number of cords in use. |  |
| Power Cords - Reformers typically feature cords or springs with some tensile properties. However, the PFS Pilates Trainer utilizes power cords, which instead rely on gravity for resistance. Rather than vary the strength or number of cords, to adjust the resistance of the sliding carriage on this machine, simply change the carriage incline angle. If you want even more resistance, you can add weights to the optional weight bar. |  |
| Springs - Each of our high-end reformers uses metal springs of varying strengths as the means of generating resistance for the sliding carriage. Depending on the number of springs, and their levels of tensile strength, any of these reformers will offer innumerable resistance level options, allowing you to manually adjust the strength to your liking. |  |
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| Any reformer will offer a number of feature adjustments to accommodate users of different sizes and experience levels. However, a very basic feature that affects a reformer's accessibility is carriage height. Carriages that sit on the floor, or at very low heights, are more difficult to access. Users with limited mobility or recent injuries will want a reformer whose carriage is tall enough to mount and dismount painlessly.
| | | On Floor - Reformers that sit low to the floor or directly on the floor are great for saving space. However, they are not the easiest to mount or the most versatile to use. Sacrificing carriage height will also result in a diminished number of exercises one can perform. |
|  | Average - Typically around 10 inches from the ground, reformers with average carriage heights are easy to mount and comfortable to use. Heights will vary depending on the reformer's stacking or folding ability. Slightly taller carriage heights within this range are ideal for professional trainers who are interested in elevating themselves during class instruction and training. |
| | | Tall - Our Rehab reformers are the most accessible and easiest to mount and dismount. For users who experience pain or have limited mobility, the taller the carriage, the more comfortable it will be to use. Additionally, these taller frames offer increased usability features, making hands-on professional assistance even easier. |
| | Back to Top | How much space do you have for your new reformer? If floor space is valuable, you'll want to tuck your reformer away when it's not in use. Check out which reformers can stack up or fold down to a compact size for easy storage.
| Folding - Folding reformers are the most compact available, shrinking down to a size that leaves a footprint only a fraction of its full size. |  |
| Stackable - Our stationary reformers are perfect for use in a training facility, a clinical setting, or a personal home gym. Their heavy-duty frame construction provides a solid foundation for a reformer that's meant to stay put. |  |
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| Portability refers to the reformer's ability to roll away for easy storage.
|  | Rolling - Reformers with wheels beneath the frame make storage a breeze. Check out our selection of rolling reformers! |
|  | Stationary - Our stationary reformers are perfect for use in a training facility, a clinical setting, or a personal home gym. Their heavy-duty frame construction provides a solid foundation for a reformer that's meant to stay put. |
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Wall Units and Half Cadillacs - Wall Units and Half Cadillacs offer excellent alternatives to the exercises found on a reformer. Wall Units are tower pieces that either stand alone, or attach to a wall, and require a thickly padded mat that sits on the floor. These pieces will save you space without skimping on the range of possible exercises one can perform. Half Cadillacs are free-standing options that are comparable to reformers, yet feature the full tower complete with roll-down and push-through bars found on Cadillac systems. Half Caddys typically feature convertible options that allow you to quickly and easily change the type of Pilates equipment you wish to use.  | |
| Cadillacs - Cadillacs, also known as trapeze tables or studio systems, stand proudly atop the Pilates market they are commercial-based, professional-quality systems that include every workout element of the Pilates discipline. Offering more than 200 different exercises, Cadillac tables come with features like an overhead pole system, hanging trapeze system, push-through and roll-down bars, fuzzy hanging straps and foot and hand loops all on a free-standing, ultra-sturdy frame. Hands-down, these systems are among the most versatile and comprehensive in the fitness industry, which is why professional assistance is required during use.  | |
| Barrels/Spine Correctors - Designed to enhance matwork exercises, these smaller pieces of Pilates equipment are upholstered, solid-wood constructions intended to enhance 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.  | |
| Pilates Chairs - Joseph Pilates designed the original Wunda Chair an awesome space-saving piece of training equipment that doubles as a piece of furniture. Modern variations perform the same functions, featuring 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.  | |
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 | Pilates DVDs - Programs, exercises, and tips to go with every piece of equipment or without any equipment at all. |
|  | Pilates Rings and Power Circles - Programs, exercises, and tips to go with every piece of equipment or without any equipment at allLightweight circular resistance tools to work every part of the body position, squeeze, switch. |
|  | Pilates Mats - Pilates Mats provide that crucial layer of comfort between your floor and your workout. |
|  | Exercise Balls - Lightweight, inflatable training tools for the core, available in a wide variety of sizes and colors. |
|  | Resistance Bands - Perfect for muscle strengthening, rehab, flexibility training. Available in different resistance levels. |
|  | Medicine Balls and Toning Balls - Weighted training tools to target core and upper-body muscles, available in a wide variety of sizes, weights, and colors. |
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