Types of Pilates Equipment, Machines and Apparatus

Pilates has grown in popularity over the years. The global Pilates and yoga industry was valued at $152.3 billion in and is expected to reach a value of $377.1 billion by . This is down to a number of contributing factors from increased health awareness, a conscientious younger generation, greater disposable income and the prevalence of obesity, to name a few.

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As with other activities, Pilates utilises a whole host of equipment which play a role in defining Pilates and the associated benefits. The founder of Pilates, Joseph Pilates, is responsible for creating the core principles of Pilates as well as some of the core Pilates equipment which was referred to as ‘apparatus’. Some of the original pieces of equipment are still used today, such as the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair and the Ladder Barrel.

In this article, we will take a look at the different types of Pilates equipment you may encounter in your Pilates class. This will enable you to get a better understanding of the different types of Pilates equipment and the classes most suitable to your preferences and goals.

Pilates equipment varies from smaller, portable pieces such as resistance bands, Pilates mats and the magic circle (also known as the Pilates ring) to many large pieces of apparatus such as the Pilates Reformer, Pilates Chair and the Cadillac.

A list of essential Pilates equipment

1. Pilates Mat

Pilates mats are often confused with Yoga mats, however, there are some differences to be aware of. For example, a Pilates mat is typically thicker, may be larger in size and has slicker surfaces.

Generally speaking, many exercises within the Pilates repertoire are completed on your back or stomach, as well as requiring students to perform spinal rolling exercises. These types of exercises require a thicker mat to support and cushion the body.

Mats are typically used in a mat Pilates class, the most accessible form of Pilates, which teaches students the fundamental movement techniques as well as challenging them into advanced movements.

4. Pilates Reformer

The Pilates reformer is one of the original types of equipment invented by Joseph Pilates when he was working at a hospital during the First World War. He originally made the reformer from a bed frame and springs to help patients strengthen their muscles. The reformer is also arguably the piece of equipment which plays the biggest role in distinguishing Pilates.

The Pilates Reformer is a large piece of apparatus consisting of a rectangular frame made from either wood or metal. A carriage (which is a padded platform) sits on the frame attached to runners enabling it to slide along the length of the frame. At one end of the frame is a foot bar and at the other are two long ropes with handles attached to pulleys. The tension of the reformer can be adapted by adding or removing springs which attach the carriage to the frame.

The Pilates reformer can be used when you are lying down, on your side, standing, kneeling or on all fours and is designed to help:

• Mobilise the spine
• Assist your movements
• Strengthen the abdominals and whole body
• Improve technique
• Increase difficulty
• Promote better balance
• Enhance coordination
• Improve mobility
• Increase flexibility
• Aid range of movement

For more information, please read our guide to The Reformer Pilates.

5. Cadillac or Trapeze Table

The Cadillac also known as the trapeze table is the most versatile and supportive piece of Pilates Equipment. The Cadillac looks similar to a four poster bed; the apparatus comprises a leather clad table and a metal frame with four uprights positioned in each corner.

Attached to the frame is the trapeze bar, fluffy straps, push bar and cross bar used for a variety of exercises in order to aid assistance or resistance in the movement.

The trapeze table can be used for basic exercises usually completed in mat Pilates as well as more advanced Pilates exercises, whether it be lying down, kneeling or in a standing position.

The cadillac has a number of benefits, including:

• Aid rehabilitation
• Increase complexity of exercises
• Improve stability
• Promote balance

For more information, please read our guide to the Pilates Trapeze Table.

9. Stability and Over Ball

The stability ball is one of the most versatile types of Pilates equipment. It is also known as a fitness, gym or Swiss ball made from soft elastic and filled with air.

In Pilates, this type of equipment is used for equipment-style movements but on the mat which incorporates the whole body such as reverse abs. It can also be used for strength building exercises such as hamstring curls and hip thrusts.

Benefits of the stability ball include:

• Increased muscle activation
• Improves balance and coordination
• Enhances mobility
• Build and develop strength
• Challenges your strength and control in all directions
• Assists movements in clients who are pregnant

For more information, please read our guide to the stability ball.

Why do Pilates with Equipment?

Support

One of the great reasons to use Pilates equipment is that the equipment can actually support you with more challenging exercises. The original Pilates mat exercises are quite advanced and this means that not everyone can perform them well. Consequently, they may not get the most benefit out of them. If you are a beginner, or you are returning to exercise after illness or injury you need modifications to exercise that are appropriate for your level.

The trapeze table has a high wide stable surface, making it easier to get onto compared to a mat on the floor. There is more room to turn over, compared to say, the reformer.

The soft Pilates ball is a great addition if you are struggling with certain exercises, such as the seated roll back. Placing the ball behind your pelvis provides a supportive surface for you to roll back onto, so your abdominal and hip flexor muscles don’t have to do as much work.

Challenge

Pilates equipment is very versatile. Not only can it be used to modify exercises to make them easier but it can also be used at the other end of the spectrum – to make things harder! The large Pilates equipment in particular is great for progressing exercises. The equipment uses springs as resistance to make basic movements more of a strength challenge. The equipment can also be used to provide a stability challenge – the moving carriage on the reformer can be used to make a plank more dynamic and less stable, for example.

Variety and Novelty

Human brains are designed to get bored quickly, so if you’ve been doing mat Pilates for a while, you may find yourself losing enthusiasm once you have got used to the key exercises.

Adding small pieces of equipment to the class can add interest – for example, the small Pilates ball has a pleasing texture and soft bouncy feel, so it stimulates the tactile part of the nervous system. The small and large Pilates balls have a pleasing shape, and are associated with play so they stimulate the visual and systems but also tap into the reward centres of the brain.

Lying on a reformer and pulling straps to move the carriage you are on provides more interesting feedback than lying on a mat doing the same movements with your arms. The minute most people get on a reformer and experience the movement they either smile and say “ this is so relaxing!” or “this is so fun!”.

Increased functional relevance

Pilates using equipment can more closely represent the way we move in everyday life. For example holding weights, a magic circle or holding on to a bar on the trapeze table all involve some type of grip. We often move our arms in daily life for the purpose of manipulating objects, as opposed to moving them purposelessly in space.

Equally, most of the time when we are moving our legs we are using the feet to push away from another surface, such as when we are walking, going upstairs, or getting up out of a chair. The large Pilates equipment have a variety of footplates, bars and pedals that provide surfaces to place the feet and push from during Pilates exercises.

External rather than internal focus

Often during Pilates we use what are called “cues”. These are little tips to help you get more from an exercise. Pilates is famous for using lots of cues that require you to use your imagination to conjure up a visual picture, or to pay attention to the sensations at different parts of the body. These can be thought of as more internal cues.

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Not everybody finds internal cues easy to grasp, and find external cues more helpful. External cues refer to objects outside the body – for example instead of saying “move your feet apart” saying “move your foot towards the wall” provides a direction and target that may be easier to understand.

Holding on to various parts of equipment or being able to move a part of the equipment from one place to another gives an external focus to your movement.

What do our experts say?

The brilliance the Pilates equipment offers, are endless possibilities. This means there is always an appropriate option to strengthen safely no matter the injury, structural changes such as Scoliosis, throughout pregnancy, extra aid for the older adult, or for example someone with Parkinson’s disease. The use of equipment helps to tailor the program to the client’s needs and achieve results.’ Amber Needham

What equipment do you need for Pilates at home?

You can do Pilates at home with a little or a lot of equipment! The key piece of equipment would be an exercise mat. Mats that are specific to Pilates are thicker and more spongy than a yoga mat, because of the number of exercises that are performed laying on the back – this is more comfortable for your spine.

To help you with optimal body alignment, a head cushion is a useful addition to your home set up.

The overball, magic circle and a set of resistance bands are a great next addition to your Pilates home set up.

For added challenge, and if you have the space – a foam roller and some light dumbbells (1 – 2kg to start) can also be used.

Which Pilates class is right for you?

Now you have a better understanding of the types of Pilates equipment you may come across, now is the time to decide which Pilates class is right for you.

Having been created back in the s, Pilates has evolved over time creating variations of Pilates which offer specific health and physical benefits.

Pilates classes include:

1. Classical Pilates
2. Mat Pilates
3. Contemporary Pilates
4. Reformer Pilates
5. Clinical Pilates

To find the most suitable class for you, read our guide to the types of Pilates here.

Why Complete Pilates?

At Complete Pilates, we’ll be happy to help you find the right class for you based on your needs and goals. Our physiotherapists and clinical instructors will complete a pre-assessment to understand your problem areas (if you have any) as well as your goals and objectives to create a tailored Pilates programme designed for you.

We have a range of classes to choose from including:

• Pilates for beginners
• Pregnancy Pilates
• Postnatal Pilates
• Physio Pilates
• Online Pilates
• Group Pilates

Come and try Pilates in the City of London, or any of our studios (see our Chelsea Pilates studio or North London Pilates studio) for more information, please get in touch online or contact us on 764 .

Resources

https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/pilates-and-yoga-studios-market#:~:text=The%20global%20Pilates%20and%20yoga%20studios%20market%20size,a%20value%20of%20USD%.1%20billion%20by%.

Pilates Equipment And Gears Market Research,

The global pilates equipment and gears market was valued at $144.2 million in , and is projected to reach $521.8 million by , growing at a CAGR of 10.5% from to .

Pilates equipment and gears are equipped to perform Pilates workouts. The use of equipment and gear during the Pilates workout helps to cover all kinds of strength-training exercises that an individual can perform to increase their strength and improve posture. Pilates is based on the principles of alignment, breath control, and repetition. Pilates, originally known as Contrology, is a fitness system that focuses on "an integrated body conditioning method designed to develop both the body and mind of the individual."

An increase in health-conscious consumers boosted the number of people visiting health clubs & fitness centers. According to the annual surveys conducted by the International Health, Racquet, & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), there has been a significant increase in the number of health clubs, gyms, and other fitness centers. In , there were 48,087 fitness & health clubs in Europe, which increased to 63,644 by . There are many types of fitness activities, including the most advanced gym equipment, functional fitness, outdoor fitness, Pilates studios, yoga classes, and group training as well as many online options along with an increase in the number of fitness enthusiasts. There is a growing number of small fitness studios throughout Europe, especially in countries such as the UK, Spain, and France. Thus, an increase in the number of fitness & health clubs along with the rise in awareness toward fitness acts as the key driving forces for the global Pilates equipment and gears market.

The population of middle-income groups is growing, as evidenced by the rise in disposable incomes and the decline in poverty levels. As economies in developing regions continue to grow, middle-income groups are expected to increase in number. China, India, and Indonesia in Asia-Pacific, as well as in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, show the same trend. According to worldbank.org, the middle class in developed economies is projected to grow at a rate of 0.5% annually, while the middle class in developing economies is expected to grow at a rate of 6.0% or more annually. By keeping in mind, the growth of the middle-class population, the Pilates equipment & gear manufacturing companies are working on the pricing to make it more affordable for the middle-class population. Thus, the availability of low-cost Pilates equipment in the market is likely to encourage customers to purchase the equipment, resulting in a steady growth in the number of global Pilates practitioners.

Obesity or being overweight is another factor that creates the demand for fitness solutions such as Pilates. According to – data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), nearly 1 in 3 adults (30.7%) were overweight, more than 2 in 5 adults (42.4%) had obesity, and about 1 in 11 adults (9.2%) had severe obesity. Factors such as an increase in intake of high-calorie food & beverages, low levels of physical activity, and a sedentary lifestyle are responsible for obesity. It further increases the risks of many health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, joint problems, high blood pressure, gallstones, and sleep and breathing problems. However, it can be prevented by making healthier food choices and indulging in regular physical activities. As a result of this, people are turning their focus toward physical activities such as Pilates which will support the Pilates equipment and gears market growth.

Pilates provides both physical & mental benefits by improving flexibility, balance & posture, and range of motion. Furthermore, Pilates reduces stress through controlled breathing & mental focus. This results in an improved sleep cycle, which helps avoid mood swings and depression. Therefore, such factors encourage consumers to join Pilates studios, which in turn, drives the Pilates equipment and gears market size.

Virtual exercises, fitness applications, wearables, and linked home solutions are replacing traditional fitness systems. Consumers' interest in fitness & exercise is growing, owing mostly to technological and demographic shifts. Apart from that, celebrities and influencers are supporting Pilates training, which leads to an increase in popularity for Pilates equipment and Pilates equipment and gears market demand. High-end fitness products that are tech-enabled are backed by strong social media credentials, and fitness studios are communicating with their consumers via different social media channels. Customers are adopting this digital trend, and so the industry is changing from physical to digital platforms, thanks to the virtual availability of online yoga and Pilates sessions.

The government and businesses alike have launched several initiatives to support a healthy way of life. For instance, tax incentives have been used in Canada to encourage physical activity and lower obesity rates. An increasing trend for fostering a workplace with greater employee camaraderie increased productivity, and decreased absenteeism is an organization-wide wellness initiative. In August , 51% of employers in the U.S. offered a wellness program, and 77% of them included lifestyle management, according to ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 77% of firms with a lifestyle management intervention offer smoking cessation programs, 79% target weight loss, and 72% provide fitness initiatives. Such campaigns to encourage healthy living are crucial in fostering the expansion of the Pilates gear and equipment market.

The Pilates equipment and gears market is classified on the basis of type, application, distribution channel, and region. By type, the market is segmented into Pilates reformers, Pilates mats, Pilates balls, Pilates rings, Pilates towers, barrels & arcs, Pilates Cadillac, chairs, gears, and others. The Pilates reformers segment is expected to dominate during the Pilates equipment and gears market forecast period. Moreover, the gears segment will grow at the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. On the basis of application, the market is classified as commercial spaces, residential spaces, and others. By distribution channel, the market is divided into supermarkets/hypermarkets, specialty stores, retail stores, e-commerce, and others.

According to the Pilates equipment and gears market analysis, on the basis of type, the Pilates reformers segment garners the largest market share in . The reformer machine resembles a bed with a sliding carriage, ropes, and pulling mechanisms. This machine is designed to add resistance to the exercises, making it a more challenging or physically demanding form of Pilates. Moreover, practitioners can perform advanced Pilates on Pilates reformers which strengthens the core muscles. Pilates reformers increase flexibility, promote better balance, mobilize the spine, and enhance coordination. Such factors are propelling consumers to purchase reformers, thereby driving market growth.

By application, the commercial space segment dominated the market in with a market share of more than 55% and is expected to dominate during the forecast period. The increase in commercial Pilates studios in developed and developing regions around the globe is fueling the need for equipment and gear. Customers prefer to practice Pilates exercises in commercial studios under the supervision of a trainer, which increases the need for equipment and gear to meet the demand. An increase in health awareness among the global population raises the demand for Pilates commercial training studios, which drives the growth of the market in commercial space. In addition, growth in modernization and changes in lifestyle has caused devastating effects on the health of people, which has fostered the Pilates equipment and gears market opportunity for growth.

According to the Pilates equipment and gears market trends, on the basis of distribution channel, the specialty store segment garners the largest share in . Pilates manufacturers are majorly targeting specialty stores as their distribution channel as it serves as the best place for product promotion and the stores majorly focus on the sales of Pilates equipment and gear. As a result, wider varieties of Pilates equipment & gear are available in specialty stores. Moreover, specialty stores provide exclusive discounts along with the proper guidance by their executives to provide a valuable shopping experience, which results in the growth of the Pilates equipment and gears market.  First-time buyers of Pilates equipment and gear may seek help while choosing the product; trained staff from the specialty store helps buyers by explaining every detail of the product and advising appropriate items. This makes buyers prefer specialty stores which boosts the growth of the specialty store segment.

Region-wise, Asia-Pacific was the highest revenue contributor and is estimated to reach $179.51 million by , with the highest CAGR of 11.3%. Population growth and rise in per capita income are the major reasons for the market growth of Pilates equipment in Asia-Pacific. Moreover, growth in awareness related to fitness and changes in lifestyle offer a chance for manufacturers of Pilates equipment to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. In addition, businesses are using promotional marketing initiatives as a major technique to boost sales and expand their customer base. As people are becoming more aware of the benefits of physical activity in their daily lives, sales of Pilates equipment are steadily increasing. China is one of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region that grows at the fastest rate in terms of revenue generation due to the rise in initiatives by the government to create awareness about physical well-being.

North America was the second-largest market in terms of revenue generation in . The U.S. and Canadian markets stand out due to the growing number of exercise practitioners and the increase in sales of Pilates equipment through various delivery channels. Women are engaging in more physical activity as this exercise has been shown to improve body shape, including abs, buttocks, and hips. Pilates is the most popular & well-known activity in the U.S. and Canada. Such factors are driving the market growth in the region. There is a rapid increase in the number of studios offering Pilates training owing to the rise in the interest of consumers toward the same. Furthermore, while the majority of yoga and Pilates participants are women, participation rates among men have increased over the five years further boosting the growth of the Pilates equipment and gears industry.

Players operating in the global Pilates equipment and gears industry have adopted various developmental strategies to expand their Pilates equipment and gears market share, increase profitability, and remain competitive in the market. Key players profiled in this report include Merrithew Corporation, Stamina Products, Inc., Gratz Industries, LLC, Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc., Aeromat/Ecowise, Beverly Hills Fitness LLC, Trending Fit LLC, Balanced Body, Inc., Align-Pilates Equipment Ltd., and Decathlon S.A.

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Key Benefits For Stakeholders

• This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the pilates equipment and gears market analysis from to to identify the prevailing pilates equipment and gears market opportunities.
• The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.
• Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.
• In-depth analysis of the pilates equipment and gears market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.
• Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.
• Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.
• The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global pilates equipment and gears market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.