| * Mat - This is a definite must have. The Pilates | | | | even deeper for stability. Each level becomes |
| mat is the cheapest but also the least versatile. It | | | | more complex and harder, so it is important that |
| is good for basics but does not provide much | | | | an instructor is on hand for safety reasons. |
| strength-resistance workouts. | | | | Spring reformers and gravity reformers are the |
| * Reformer - This is one of the most popular | | | | two main types of reformers. The spring Pilates |
| equipment due to its effectiveness and versatility. | | | | reformer uses springs to provide resistance, and |
| It consists of a sliding carriage with jump boards, | | | | you either pull with your arms or push with your |
| foot bars, and arm and leg pulleys, thus allowing | | | | legs while lying down. The gravity Pilates reformer |
| for a full body workout. | | | | uses the force of your own weight as you lie in a |
| The basic exercise on the reformer requires you | | | | diagonal position. |
| to lie face up on the carriage without straining | | | | * Ring - The Pilates ring is made with lightweight |
| your body, meaning the spine, quads, pelvis, hip | | | | material and can be easily carried around. It |
| flexors and knees must all be relaxed, with the | | | | comes with various resistance levels and can be |
| strain absorbed by the back of your legs and | | | | positioned at various locations of the body. The |
| your hips in a safe way. With your core muscles | | | | ring tones the core muscles and also targeted |
| you push your body, along with the carriage, | | | | muscles such as the leg, triceps, biceps, pecs and |
| backwards and forwards, or up and down. The | | | | lats. |
| core muscles get a deep workout, greater than | | | | * Cadillac - Otherwise called the trapeze table, this |
| that you'd usually experience with leg presses or | | | | equipment looks like a cage with just the frames. |
| stomach crunches. | | | | Attached to the bars are straps, springs, and |
| As you become more advanced, the reformer | | | | extra bars for various types of exercises. |
| can be adjusted for higher intensity workouts, | | | | * Wunda chair - a bench with bars on each side |
| with particular mechanical supports removed with | | | | with springs attached to them. |
| each advanced level so that your core has to dig | | | | |