Meet the Pilates Apparatus: There's More to Pilates Than the Reformer!
Updated: 1 day ago
You've probably heard of the Reformer, especially with Reformer Pilates studios popping up everywhere. But did you know there's a whole lot more to Pilates than just one machine?
In fact, the Reformer is only one part of a much bigger Pilates family!
Joseph Pilates developed a whole range of apparatus to work alongside his Mat exercises, each designed to support, challenge and help you understand how your body moves.
And here's something that often surprises people — the apparatus isn't necessarily harder than the Mat!
The springs, straps and different pieces of equipment can actually help support your body, making some exercises more accessible, while also providing plenty of challenge when you're ready for it.
That's the beauty of the Pilates system. Each piece of apparatus has its own purpose, but they all work together to help you develop strength, mobility, balance and control.
At my fully equipped studio in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, I'm lucky enough to have the whole Pilates family — from the Reformer and Cadillac to the Wunda Chairs, Barrels, Ped-O-Pull and plenty more!
So, let me introduce you to them all...
  | The Reformer I have two Reformers in my studio — a classical version and a contemporary version — and believe me, they're very different beasts! My contemporary Reformer (the zebra-print one!) has springs of varying resistance, an adjustable footbar and loops attached to the ropes. My classical Reformer (the silver and blue one) has four springs, a fixed-position footbar and traditional leather straps and handles. Although both are Reformers, the different designs create a slightly different experience, which is one of the things I love about having both. By changing the springs, your position and the exercises, the Reformer can provide support when you need it or a real challenge when you're ready. It's an incredibly versatile piece of apparatus, and there's so much more to it than simply getting a good workout! |
The Cadillac and Wall Unit The Cadillac is probably one of the most impressive-looking pieces of Pilates apparatus. It resembles a raised padded table with a large metal frame above it, a bit like a four-poster bed! But don't be intimidated by its appearance. The Cadillac is incredibly versatile, offering everything from gentle, supported movements to some seriously challenging exercises. It has a variety of springs, bars, straps and attachments that can be used to help build strength, improve mobility and develop better control of your body. The Wall Unit, sometimes called the Tower, uses a similar spring system but is mounted to the wall or incorporated into other apparatus. It doesn't have the overhead frame of the Cadillac, so there are some exercises you can't perform on it, but it still offers a huge variety of movements. I love both because the springs can help support you through an exercise or provide resistance to challenge your strength and control. And trust me, don't be fooled into thinking that because you're not jumping around or sweating buckets, you're not working hard! |   |
   | The Barrels These 3 pieces of Pilates equipment are all part of the Barrel family. Unlike the Reformer or Cadillac, they don't use springs. Instead, they use their curved shape to help you strengthen, stretch and mobilise your body. The Ladder Barrel is the largest of the bunch. It consists of padded, curved barrel, a ladder with rungs and a sliding frame that can be adjusted for different heights. The Ladder is ideal for deep stretching, spinal extension and advanced flexibility & balance work. The Spine Corrector is much smaller and sits on the mat. It consists of a small step/platform and a round barrel with handles for support. The curved surface gently supports the spine, making extension exercises feel comfortable and controlled. Best for improving posture, restoring spinal mobility and strengthening the core in a supported way. The Arc Barrel is the smallest and most portable of the three. It's lightweight, easy to move around and its gentle curve can provide support during a variety of Mat exercises. It can be particularly useful for exploring spinal mobility, developing body awareness and adapting certain exercises to suit different abilities. And don't be fooled by its size — just like the other Barrels, it can provide plenty of challenge too! Although they look similar, each barrel serves a different purpose of support or challenge. |
The Chairs My absolute favourite of the bunch! The chairs are compact, Pilates machines that provide a surprisingly challenging full-body workout. Despite their small size, they're among the most demanding pieces of Pilates apparatus…small and mighty, much like me lol! The Wunda Chair was designed by Joseph Pilates as a piece of furniture (an armchair) that could also be used for exercise, lots of his clients had these in their homes. It consists of a sturdy wooden box with a padded seat, a pedal and 2 x springs. The pedal moves up and down as you press against the spring resistance. The Stability Chair is a contemporary variation of the traditional Wunda Chair, with additional features such as handles, a split pedal and different spring resistance options, depending on the model. These features can make it easier to adapt certain exercises for different abilities and levels of experience. There is also the Baby Chair and Electric/High Chair which I do not have in my studio. The Chairs can be particularly challenging because many exercises involve standing, kneeling or supporting your own bodyweight. They're fantastic for developing strength, stability, coordination and balance. |   |
 | The Ped-O-Pull The Ped-O-Pull is one of the lesser-known pieces of classical Pilates apparatus. It looks deceptively simple, but don't be fooled! It's a fantastic piece of equipment for challenging balance, postural awareness and control. The Ped-O-Pull consists of a sturdy base that you stand on, a vertical pole (to mimic the spine) and 2 x springs with handles at the end. The movements are generally small and precise rather than large or strenuous, making the exercises all about control. It's a fantastic piece of apparatus for challenging your balance, improving postural awareness and developing greater control through your shoulders, trunk and whole body. |
The Small Props In addition to the large apparatus, Pilates uses a variety of small props to improve strength, alignment, body awareness, and movement quality. Many of these were designed by Joseph Pilates, while others were added later in contemporary practice. The Foot Corrector is a small device with a spring-loaded pedal. It was designed by Joseph Pilates to strengthen and mobilise the feet and ankles. Exercises involve pressing the spring with different parts of the foot while maintaining proper alignment through the rest of the body. The Neck Exerciser is one of the less commonly seen pieces of traditional Pilates equipment. It uses a padded headband and spring resistance to challenge the muscles that support and control movements of the head and neck. It's a specialist piece of apparatus that needs careful instruction and isn't something you'd typically use in a general Pilates class. The Magic Circle (also nicknamed ‘The Ring of Fire') is a flexible ring, usually about 14–15 inches in diameter, with padded handles on either side. The ring can be squeezed or gently resisted using hands, knees, ankles or thighs. The ring doesn't create heavy resistance; instead, it encourages controlled muscle activation and precise movement. Did you know…..Joseph Pilates originally made the first versions from the metal rings that wrap around beer kegs? | The Weighted Sandbag is a soft, fabric-filled weight, typically ranging from 0.5-2kg. It’s attached to a wooden dowel with a bit of rope. The bag is especially good for strengthening forearm and grip strength. Typically not used in a class workout but more as accessory or rehab work. The small Pilates Ball is a soft, inflatable ball, typically 7–10 inches (18–25 cm) in diameter and is typically used in mat classes. It can be used to provide support for the spine, neck, or pelvis, challenge balance and core control and help with hip and pelvis stability. A Flex/Resistance Band is a long, flat elastic band available in different resistance levels, usually colour coded from light to heavy. It can be used to add resistance without the use of weights, assist with stretching and help support movement, particularly when used in mat classes. |
Do I Need Pilates Experience to Use the Apparatus?
Absolutely not!
I know some of the equipment can look a little intimidating when you first see it, particularly the Cadillac with all its springs, bars and straps!
But you don't need to be super-fit, flexible or have any previous Pilates experience to get started.
That's what I'm here for!
One of the things I love most about teaching Pilates is seeing someone's confidence grow as they start to understand the equipment and discover what their body can do.
The apparatus can be used to support you, help you understand an exercise or provide more challenge as you progress.
And believe me, there are always plenty of laughs along the way!
It's not about doing the fanciest exercise or getting everything right first time. It's about learning, practising and gradually building strength, control and confidence.
Ready to Meet the Pilates Apparatus for Yourself?
Together, it's a bit like Avengers Assemble... each piece of apparatus brings something different to the table, and together they make a hell of a team! 🫡👊🏻
I'm incredibly proud to have a fully equipped Pilates studio, giving my clients the opportunity to experience the wider Pilates system rather than just one piece of equipment.
Whether you've tried Reformer Pilates before or you're completely new to the apparatus, there's so much to discover!
If you're curious but not quite sure where to start, my Pilates Apparatus Discovery Sessions are a great way to come along, have a go and see what it's all about.
You'll get to explore different pieces of equipment, ask questions and discover how Pilates can support and challenge your body — all with plenty of guidance and encouragement from me.
And don't worry, you won't be expected to know what you're doing!
Fancy giving it a go?
Take a look at my upcoming Discovery Sessions or get in touch. I'd love to introduce you to the Pilates family!
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