Pilates Chair

You may have heard about the Pilates chair or you may have seen it on TV. In this article, I'll look at the basic principals of effective Pilates workouts and then see how you can implement it for better Pilates chair workouts. I will also look at the pros and cons of a Pilates chair and then move on to the best Pilates chairs that are on the market today, as well as where you can buy pilates chair accessories.

The basic principals of an effective Pilates workout

The following principals are very important if you want to do effective Pilates. Incorporating these principals will help you to get the most from your Pilates workout, and help you avoid some mistakes. Let's look at them now:

• Proper Breathing - It is very important that during your Pilates workout you breath correctly. Incorrect breathing often shows that there is an error in your practice.
• Centering - Every move you make should originate from your core (your hip flexors, abs and lower back). Make sure that this area is fully contracted at all times during your pilates fitness chair workout.
• Concentration - You should at all times concentrate intensely on the movement of your exercises.
• Control - Proper muscle control should be made at all times.
• Precision - The key with Pilates is the precision of movement. This will only come with regular practice.
• Fluent moves - All the Pilates moves should be done fluently one after the other, this means that one movement should flow into the other.

Now that the basic principals of effective Pilates are fresh in your mind, let's see how you can implement it on the Pilates chair:

What is a Pilates chair?

The Pilates chair is a piece of exercise equipment that is used in the practice of Pilates. The chair looks almost like an exercise stepper. It has two feet paddles that add resistance to the workout.

The original Pilates Chair was the Wunda Pilates chair, developed by Joseph Pilates himself. It was much larger and solid than today's more modern Pilates Chairs. It could also be used as a normal chair when you finished exercising.

Some Pilates chairs also have handles to aid in exercise. In addition, you also get Pilates chairs that have variable resistances and some that have adjustable headrests and other adjustables.

What are the pros and the cons of a Pilates chair?

The Pilates chair may not be for everyone, other people may rather prefer a more traditional Pilates Machine , the Pilates Ring , or even the basic but very effective Pilates bands . Looking at the pros and the cons of the Pilates chair will help you decide whether you want to give it a go.

Benefits of using a pilate chair

• It tones the entire body and offers a light cardio workout
• You get a professional Pilates workout from the chair (if you use it right)
• The Pilates chair is relatively inexpensive
• Most Pilates chairs are portable
• You can use the Pilates chair to exercise at home

Cons to a pilates workout chair

• If used wrong, it can be quite uncomfortable
• It may be a bit advanced for a Pilates beginner
• Its best use is for toning and not so much for weight loss
• Although most of them are compact, you still need storage space
• There is a risk that you may spend your hard earned money and then end up not using your Pilates chair

What exercises can one do on the Pilates chair?

The Pilates chair is great for all over body training. It also offers some light cardio workout. You will usually get a workout manual, DVD or poster to illustrate the moves that you can do on the Pilates chair. Here are some Pilates chair videos that illustrates how the Pilates chair in motion looks like:

Pilates chair exercises for your quads

This video shows what effect the Pilates chair can have on your legs.

Pilates chair exercise for your abs

This video illustrates how to use your new Pilates chair to work your side abs (obliques)

Upper body Pilates exercise

This video shows how the Pilates chair can be used to tone your whole upper body and your abs.

What are the best Pilates chairs that are on the market today?

There are various Pilates chairs, in different shapes and sizes. Let's have a look at them.

Malibu Pilates chair

This Pilates chair is by far one of the most popular types of Pilates chair - it's the Pilates chair that is endorsed by the actress Susan Lucci. Have a look what she say in this video:

Product specifications:

• Creator: Carroll Krieff
• Dimensions: 150 x 50 x 100 inches
• Product Weight: 49 pounds
• Extras(depending on where you buy): 3 workout videos, a Malibu makeover manual and a guide to help you eat right.

User comments from Amazon.com:

• "I love this. It's a real, useable, spring-loaded Pilates chair.."
• "I bought this Pilates Malibu chair and am very happy with the purchase.."
• "happy with my new Malibu Pilates Chair. It works well in my small space..."

Click here for more information about the Malibu Pilates chair

Peak Pilates MVE fitness chair

The Peak MVE Pilates chair is a cheap pilates chair and is one of the most compact and smallest Pilate chairs there is - weighing in at only 30 pounds. It has an open frame style that encourages more innovative movements than the rest of the Pilates chairs. It also has 4 different resistance levels to really challenge your muscles.

Product specifications:

• Material: 100-percent powder-coated aluminum
• Dimensions: 37.5 x 31 x 23.5
• Weight: 30 pounds
• Extras: 4 different resistance levels

Click here for more information about the Peak Pilates MVE chair

Stott Pilates chair

The Stott Pilates stability chair has 2 handles to make the movements easier. It also has 3 different spring tensions.

Product specifications:

• Dimensions: 31.5 x 21.5 x 23.5 inches
• Weight: 70 pounds
• Extras: 2 heavy chair springs, 2 light chair springs, 3 spring tension locations

User comment from Amazon.com:

"A great investment for your home gym..."

Click here for more information about the Stott Pilates chair

Pilates Combo Chair - from Xtend Pilates

The Xtend Pilates chair is one of the more durable ones, as it is made from high density laminated wood. But this also makes it heavier than the other Pilates chairs. The two feet peddles can be used as two separate pedals or as one unit. Let's look at its specs:

Product specifications:

• Material: high density laminated wood
• Dimensions: 31 x 26 x 24 inches
• Weight: 90 pounds
• Extras: Anti-slip footpads, chrome upholstered handles

Click here for more information about the Xtend Pilates chair

Conclusion

Pilates is a great exercise as it increases flexibility, muscle tone, circulation, energy levels and overall fitness. So investing in any Pilates equipment will be a well made investment. Just make sure that you use your Pilates equipment regularly. Don't buy a pilates chair or any other exercise equipment just to let it gather dust. Exercise regularly and enjoy the benefits of being fit and healhty. And remember to warm up before your workout and to stretch afterwards.