Meet the apparatus in our studio
Everyone has heard of the Reformer, but do you know about the other pieces you’ll find in a Classical studio?
Well you’re in the right place! Because I have compiled a list of the pieces you will find in our Classical studio and what they are designed for.
Fun fact: did you know the Reformer was originally called the ‘Universal Reformer’, because it universally reformed the way your body would move.
The Reformer: The queen of the studio, she holds the attention of many Pilates enthusiasts by having a brilliant repertoire (think list of exercises) which when practiced consistently will change the way you move, stand and function.
Working against a set of 4 springs, and with the help of the anchor points on the shoulder blocks, foot bar and carriage, you will notice where your body is misaligned and be able to gain feedback on how you are moving. Are you moving more with your right leg? Do you lift your left shoulder higher? Are you rolling onto the outside of your feet?
All valuable insights that will help to build alignment throughout your body, whilst you move.
The Chairs: High Chair, Wunda Chair and Baby Chair
These gorgeous pieces were designed for a multitude of reasons. Which chair you use will depend on the type of body and specific need on that day.
High chair: this is a really supportive piece that you will likely experience first. With the help of the back board, handles and heavier springs this piece starts to introduce you to working against gravity.
Wunda chair: this was designed as an actual chair! (be sure to ask next time you are in studio how it changes into a seat) Mr Pilates designed this as an ‘all in one’ small piece of apparatus that could fit into a small New York apartment. Unlike the High chair this can be a challenging piece to work on, with it’s small base it gives little to no support, and means you really have to have awareness of where your body is in space.
Baby chair: it may be called the baby but this piece is not to be misjudged, it packs a punch by developing the finer details. It looks like its a comfy seat but with it’s moveable back you can’t relax into it!
The Barrels: Small barrel, Spine corrector and Ladder Barrel
The only pieces of apparatus in the studio without springs.
These were created to open up the body. The arcs are great for opening shoulders, backs and hips with varies stretches.
With small surface areas they can also be used for great additions to balance work. Rocking on the barrel is other level hard!
And if you like being upside down, having a go at handstands on the ladder barrel is barrels of fun!
Tower units and Cadillac: Versatile, supportive, sturdy. Incredible for strengthening and lengthening the body. Both these large pieces give you heavy springs to work against that will give you the deepest stretch.
There is a feeling of grounded-ness when working on these pieces of apparatus, they help to anchor you and build your understanding of the shapes and exercises you will find on the Reformer and Mat.
A great place to develop understanding.
Plus the Cadillac has the added bonus of giving you the gift of being upside down, ‘half hang’ and ‘full hanging’ are keen favourites in our studio!
Magic Circle: truly magical! This is a stunning small piece of apparatus that you could have at home to help develop and support your Mat practice.
Add it to your Mat exercises to enhance them.
Breathing turns into a connected exercise, Roll ups suddenly become easier and Rolling exercises become less about momentum and more about midline.
Small but very mighty when building connections throughout your body.
Matwork: My favourite! Practice anywhere anytime. Once you know your exercises this part of the system is the key to developing a strong connected body.
Technically not a piece of apparatus, but an integral part to the whole Pilates system. Designed originally as homework (if you can’t make it to the studio you can bring the studio to you) this part of the system connects the dots for all the principles of Pilates. Breath. Centring. Concentration. Coordination. Precision. Flow.
Using everything you have learned on the apparatus to move the body through shapes and positions that will uniformly build the body.
As Joseph Pilates said “When all your muscles are properly developed, you will, as a matter of course, perform your work with minimum effort and maximum pleasure”
Come and have a try on all our apparatus at our Bowthorpe, Norwich studio. Book in for your first session today, we can’t wait to meet you!
“It’s the mind itself which shapes the body.”