| Pilates requires special equipment to make the | | | | with the resistance going from thigh to calf. Another |
| program work. This equipment can range from the | | | | method of using this machine is for the practitioner to |
| very simple, like the mat, to the very complex, like the | | | | sit facing the strap that is being used. Then, while |
| trapeze. Without using this special equipment, you | | | | holding the strap in his hand, the practitioner will pull on it |
| wouldn't provide your muscles with the resistance | | | | and lie down at the same time, then sit back up again. |
| needed to strengthen them. The resistance is what | | | | This technique works on the core muscles around the |
| strengthens your core and this is the basis of the | | | | abdomen. |
| Pilates method. | | | | The Wunda Chair: |
| The Reformer: | | | | The Wunda Chair is a Pilates machine that looks like a |
| The reformer is probably one of the most popular and | | | | bench only a little higher. It has two bars on each side |
| most widely used of equipment. It is used in a lot of | | | | of it with a strap attached to each. One of the |
| Pilates studios and most of the devoted practitioners. | | | | exercises that uses this machine is to have the |
| The reformer consists of a sliding carriage, with foot | | | | practitioner stand or sit on the bench or floor while |
| bars, jump boards, and leg and arm pulleys. These | | | | pushing the bars for resistance. |
| special features allow for working different muscle | | | | The Mats: |
| groups at the same time, getting multiple results with | | | | One cheap and necessary piece of Pilates equipment |
| the same machine. | | | | for every practitioner is the simple Pilates mat. The |
| There are two different types of reformers, spring | | | | mat exercises provide the basis for the Pilates method |
| reformers and gravity reformers. A practitioner uses | | | | and there are many exercises in Pilates that use the |
| the spring reformer, which uses springs for resistance, | | | | mat. The mat exercises are usually taught in groups |
| by lying on his back and pushing with his legs or pulling | | | | and focus mainly on strengthening the core, the |
| with his arms. The gravity reformer works on the | | | | abdominals and trunk and increasing flexibility |
| same principal of resistance, but instead of using the | | | | throughout the spine and hips. While the mat is the |
| springs for resistance, this machine uses the | | | | most affordable of the equipment, it is also the most |
| practitioner's own body weight as resistance. The | | | | limited. The mat is there basically to protect the spine |
| person is held diagonally is position to provide the | | | | during these exercises, but it provides no resistance |
| needed resistance for the machine to work. | | | | which is crucial to the Pilates method. |
| The Cadillac: | | | | These machines or pieces of equipment are just a |
| The second type of complex Pilates machine is the | | | | few of the many that are offered to the Pilates |
| trapeze table or Cadillac. This machine looks like a | | | | enthusiast. A practitioner could choose to use one or |
| cage, but without the bars. The frame has springs and | | | | more of the other equipment, such as Pilates balls, |
| straps are attached along the bars and extra bars are | | | | rings, or barrels. These pieces of equipment are not |
| also used for several of these exercises. One | | | | part of the originals designed by the founder of Pilates, |
| exercise has the practitioner lying down facing the | | | | Joseph Pilates, but are an integral part of this method |
| opposite direction of the strap that is going to be used. | | | | being used today. Whatever equipment you choose, |
| Then, he puts the strap around his leg and pulls it down, | | | | the results from it will keep you feeling fit and toned. |