The most popular piece of Pilates equipment is a machine called The Reformer. The Reformer was invented and designed by Joseph Pilates, the creator of Pilates itself. This simple machine is traditionally made up of a wooden frame, a series of springs, a foot bar, a gear system, a headrest, shoulder blocks, and a padded movable seat. The exercises are performed sitting, kneeling, standing or lying on the “seat” which is also called a “carriage”. The Reformer also has a set of leather cords or straps with handles at the ends. These straps are connected on the wooden frame to a pulley system. The hands or feet pull on these straps depending on the exercise being performed. The springs adjust to increase or decrease the tension or resistance you feel when exercising.

Another of Joseph Pilates’ original inventions was the Cadillac, which is also sometimes called the Trapeze Table. This machine is found in many Pilates studios that teach classic Pilates and can seem somewhat intimidating. The Cadillac can be the table itself separate from it, or sometimes it can be a set of appliances attached to the base of a Reforming Machine. The reason the Cadillac is called the Table Trapeze is that it better describes how the apparatus works.

The Cadillac is made up of vertical posts that extend about 3 or 4 feet from each corner of the table and then posts that connect the posts. These posts run parallel to each of the table’s sides. It’s easy to see that Joseph Pilates designed this for patients stuck in bed. Hanging from the bars, you will often see one or more of the following: ankle cuffs, hanging leg or arm loops, springs, and a trapeze bar. All of these items are used in conjunction with the board to complete exercises that stretch the spine and use the body’s own resistance to increase strength.

Other devices used in classic Pilates include the Ladder Barrel and the Wunda Chair. The ladder barrel is a wooden structure made up of two parts; one side looks like a barrel with a curved top and the other side is a short ladder of the same height with three or four flights. The feet are placed on the tracks while the back is bent over the barrel. It can also be used for hamstring stretches or the body can pull the stomach down over the barrel with the hands using the rungs instead of the feet. The Wunda Chair is a simple wooden box with a padded seat, hand or foot rests, and straps with handles. There are a number of different exercises that can be done standing or sitting on the padded seat. Due to their convenient size, many Pilates studios have several of them and use them in group classes.

While the machines listed above can be used in a contemporary Pilates class, they are generally reserved for classic Pilates exercise regimens that follow the Joseph Pilates method to perfection. Pilates classes that practice a more contemporary style of Pilates use various other props. These accessories can include foam rollers, inflated exercise balls, and resistance bands. Large inflated exercise balls are often incorporated with traditional Pilates exercises and require you to sit on the ball rather than the mat. This increases your stability and can drive muscle engagement. Foam rollers are used in a similar way and can also help massage the muscles to aid fluidity of movement. Resistance bands are simply long elastic bands that can be used on the hands or legs to increase resistance in traditional Pilates exercises.

Before using any of these machines or accessories, it is important to visit a certified Pilates instructor to make sure you are using them correctly. Not only to make sure she’s getting the best exercise, but also to prevent injury.