Small Group Studio Equipment
Pilates Life Studio is a Classical Pilates studio. We use a wide range of equipment that Joseph Pilates designed during our private and small group sessions.
Many studios only use the reformer, which is an excellent piece of equipment, but so is the tower, barrel, and chair. Each piece provides an unique experience to develop a strong and flexible body.
Our beautifully designed small group room has five workstations where each client has access to their own pieces of Pilates equipment.
Most equipment is Italian-made by TecnoPilates. Each workstation has a Reformer with attached Tower, Spine Corrector, Small Barrel, Wunda Chair, Arm Chair,
and a basket full of props.
Photo Credit: Meg Kristina Photography
Reformer
The Pilates reformer looks like a bed with springs; it has a sliding carriage, straps, and pulleys, along with an adjustable headrest and cushioned footbar. The resistance from the spring system strengthens the entire body with almost 70 classical reformer exercises ranging from introductory level to advanced level 5. All reformer exercises are performed from the powerhouse “the core”. The origins of the Pilates reformer date back New York in the 1920's.
Chair
Joseph created the chair for his clients to use at home when the studio was closed during the month of August every year. His version converts from an actual chair you can sit on to a piece of exercise equipment. It is the most physically challenging apparatus, often including many gymnastics-style exercises to additionally challenge core and leg strength, in support and enhancement of the exercises on the mat, reformer, and tower.
Photo Credit: Meg Kristina Photography
Tower
The tower is a specialized piece of Pilates equipment that enables you to strengthen every muscle group. Everyone LOVES workouts on the tower! The design is based off the original cadillac table, it is possible to perform almost all the cadillac repertoire on the tower system. The tower challenges the body differently than the reformer, especially emphasizing spinal mobility with various articulation exercises. The tower uses springs for resistance and their height can be adjusted to add support or challenge.
Photo Credit: Meg Kristina Photography
Spine Corrector
Also called the Step Barrel. It’s used to perform exercises that lengthen and strengthen the torso, shoulders, back, and legs. It's an ideal piece of equipment for aligning and mobilizing the spine while also helping to improve posture by stretching the chest. We use this piece in our privates, small group Pilates apparatus classes and our mat classes.
Photo Credit: Meg Kristina Photography
Small Barrel
The smaller barrel is the perfect piece for the arm series and leg series. Both are excellent for developing mobility in the shoulder girdle and hips while providing key muscular connections for the proper placement of shoulders and pelvis. We use this piece in our privates, small group Pilates apparatus classes and our mat classes.
Photo Credit: Meg Kristina Photography
Ladder Barrel
Perfect for core strength and flexibility exercises. It combines ladder rungs with a barrel surface for stretching, strengthening and flexibility exercises. The barrel connects to the ladder by a sliding base that adjusts to accommodate different torso sizes and leg lengths. Used in private sessions.
Photo Credit: Meg Kristina Photography
Jumpboard
The jumpboard employs the principles of plyometrics to train coordination, strengthen muscles, and increases heart rate. It attaches to the end of the reformer and allows you to get aerobic training with very little impact on the joints. It develops and strengthens the fast twitch muscles in the legs helping to improve speed, agility and power. We provide specific classes using the jumpboard, namely Pilates+Cardio.
Classical Pilates Small Equipment
Various smaller Pilates equipment was invented by Joseph Pilates to help make important muscular connections to make the work more effective. Props support or add challenge exercise while adding an element of versatility and FUN. Pilates rings, mini rings, resistance bands, Pilates balls, light hand weights, toe correctors, foot correctors, bean bags, 2x4s - you name it, we got it!
Photo Credit: Meg Kristina Photography
Private Studio Room Equipment
We also have a dedicated private studio room with a TecnoPilates Classical Reformer Combo Cadillac unit (made in Italy), Balanced Body Contrology Arm Chair (made in USA), Balanced Body Wunda Chair, TecnoPilates Foot Corrector, and Balanced Body Ladder Barrel for private sessions.
Photo Credit: Meg Kristina Photography
"A few well-designed movements, properly performed in a balanced sequence, are worth hours of sloppy calisthenics or forced contortion"
— JOSEPH PILATES
Photo Credit: Meg Kristina Photography
