Pilates4Fitness Frequenty Asked Questions - The five questions posted most recently:

What is the Ladder Barrel?

Fri, 02 May 2008 23:52:00 GMT

Like the name says, this piece of Pilates equipment consists of ladder-like rungs and a rounded barrel-like surface on which a multitude of stretching, strengthening and flexibility exercises can be performed. The barrel is separated from the ladder by a sliding base that can adjust to accommodate different torso sizes and leg lengths in a range of Pilates exercises. The ladder rungs - four to six in total - are also adjustable to facilitate varying levels of fitness.

The Pilates Ladder Barrel helps isolate deep postural muscles and challenges the body on all planes of movement. For example, one exercise has you sitting on the barrel facing the ladder with your feet secured in the rungs, then you arch back over the barrel with your vertebrae following its contour and activate the core abdominals to return to the starting position in a controlled manner. Mental focus is key to executing this safely and effectively. Other exercises have you facing the other way, with your belly on the barrel, giving you a supported spinal stretch that helps to release tension.

How is the Cadillac Used?

Fri, 02 May 2008 23:48:00 GMT

This piece of Pilates equipment is often referred to as "The Rack" as it resembles something you might find in a medieval torture chamber. But fear not. The Cadillac (also known as the Trapeze Table) is one of the most effective and versatile pieces of exercise equipment ever to be engineered.

The Cadillac was originally devised by Joseph Pilates to rehabilitate bedridden patients back when he was working as a hospital orderly. The apparatus has evolved a bit since the makeshift bed spring days, but its inspiration is apparent and it continues to be a bridge between exercise and physical therapy.

The Cadillac is generally used for private Beginner sessions for much of the studio Mat and Tower work, giving the instructor and client close proximity and quality personal interaction.

In addition, a myriad of exercises can be performed using the Cadillac for Intermediate and Advanced programs.

What is the Reformer?

Fri, 02 May 2008 23:43:00 GMT

Perhaps the most renowned of all Pilates equipment is the Reformer. With its sophisticated system of springs, straps and pulleys, more than 100 exercises can be performed on this surprisingly versatile apparatus.

The crux is in the gliding platform on which one can sit, kneel, stand or lie on their front, back or side. The user pushes and pulls off the foot bar using the arms, legs, wrists and ankles to slide back and forth along the rails in a controlled manner while the tension in the springs gently works the muscles.

What is the Wunda Chair?

Fri, 02 May 2008 23:40:00 GMT

Deceptively resembling a stylish little stool, the Pilates Chair (most commonly known as the Wunda Chair or Stability Chair) is one versatile exercise machine. Don't let the word "chair" fool you - it's not necessarily a sit-down workout.

While many of these Pilates exercises are performed seated on top and pressing down on the step/pedal with your feet, others entail lying on the floor, standing straight up, lunging forward or doing push-up like moves with the arms.�

More than 75 exercises can be performed on the Chair - it makes it a great addition to your physical fitness routine.

Which is better Mat or Apparatus?

What Equipment is Used?

Fri, 02 May 2008 23:32:00 GMT

There's been a lot of interest in the Pilates method of exercising and also in Pilates exercise equipment since the mid 1990's. Pilates is a form of exercise that has the reputation of bestowing its practitioners with long lean musculature. Being that there are many people who would like to have this type of appearance, Pilates has become extremely popular over the last fifteen years or so. As you may know, Pilates is an exercise modality originated by Joseph Pilates when he was imprisoned in a German internment camp during World War I.

Although originally a frail and sickly youth, young Pilates had studied exercise and done so well at the practice of physical disciplines like wrestling, bodybuilding and gymnastics that in his teen years he was being paid to model for anatomy charts.

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When imprisioned by the Germans, Joe Pilates became very interested in helping his fellow prisoners who were in ill health build their frail bodies back to prime condition. Proving that the old saw about necessity being the mother of invention isn't just a worn out cliche, he created a piece of exercise equipment out of hospital beds and the bed springs. This was the genesis of what came to be known as the Pilates Reformer, which remains the main piece of Pilates fitness equipment to this day.

In addition to the Reformer, Joseph Pilates also created four other pieces of equipment to be used with his exercise method. They were known as the Pedipull, the Chair, the Barrel and the Cadillac. While home gym versions of the Reformer are now available through many fitness equipment stores both locally and online, using any of the other four pieces of equipment will probably require a visit to a professional Pilates studio and some time with a trained Pilates instructor to learn the proper methods of using them. For that matter, even if you purchase a Reformer for your personal use, it could only be beneficial to get a few lessons from a Pilates trainer to learn the proper implementation of the exercises, because the Pilates method depends very much upon all the exercises being done in a very controlled, precise, concentrated manner. While doing a bench press with poor form may still result in added muscle (albeit also with injuries), doing Pilates with poor form will probably get you nowhere.

Many modern-day Pilates afficianados now use Pilates resistance bands in lieu of the Pedipull, so you may want to keep that in mind should you be doing any further research on the availability of Pilates exercise equipment in your area.

Which is better Mat or Apparatus?