Exercise Equipment FAQs

Kevin Wynn asked:


The Pilates method of exercise is almost a century old, and it continues to gain followers all over the world. Created by German-born Joseph Pilates during the First World War, its main principle involves the use of one’s mind to control his or her muscles; a synergistic combination of mind and body to achieve physical and mental fitness.

These mind-body exercises can be done at home or at the gym, and some of the Pilates equipment you can use depends on your location of choice.

Pilates Gear Found in the Gym:

The reformer is perhaps the most popular Pilates apparatus, of which there are several types. They can be made from wood or from metal; they can have straps or ropes; and several models have legs while others have none. Regardless of these design variations, the function of this machine remains essentially the same: which is to provide the user the opportunity to develop his or her core strength and enhance his or her flexibility.

Some of the other Pilates exercise machines used in gyms include the so-called Cadillac, the Ladder Barrel, and the Wunda Chair.

Pilates Devices for the Home:

The Pilates rebounder looks like a bulky machine, but many models have been designed for ease and convenience of use in the comfort of one’s own home. It not only develops flexibility, it also provides a good cardiovascular workout.

Those who prefer to exercise at home may also opt to use several other Pilates accessories. One such accessory is the Pilates ring, which adds the resistance needed for better-toned arms and shoulders. Another device is the balance ball, the function of which is to engage all the muscles that are vital for the user’s core strength.

These and other machines and devices usually come with an instructional DVD, where the proper use of the device is explained. These DVDs also usually show tips on maximizing the workout, and feature various exercises appropriate for the user’s level of physical fitness.

Gearing Up with the Basics:

Whether you decide to work out at home or in a gym, here are the two most basic Pilates accessories you will need:

Exercise mat. There are so many Pilates exercises where you will have to sit or lie down, hence the necessity of mats. They should be soft enough to cushion your arms, bottom, legs, and back from the hard floor. Yet they should not be too soft that they do not provide the sufficiently firm support you will need to develop your alignment and balance.

Comfortable apparel. One of the great things about Pilates is that there is no need for specialized clothing. Just wear something that feels comfortable, and is light and flexible to accommodate the stretching you will be doing. Shoes are not even necessary. In fact, most practitioners of Pilates or its other methods such as Stott, do their workout on bare feet.

Shopping for Pilates equipment is made easier with the availability of information, especially online. There are companies that offer a wide range of exercise equipment and accessories which are featured on their website. And online retailers like Shop.com are convenient Internet resources for shoppers who like to compare among brands and prices before making their choice.

In order to maximize the effects of your Pilates workouts, you need to learn more about the equipment and accessories you need to use. The time and effort will be worth it.

Fit Yummy Mummy!

Lynda Lippin asked:


When Pennsylvania resident, author, and educator Deborah Spungen, MSS, MLSP, CTS arrived at my Pilates studio she was experiencing debilitating, almost excruciating back pain which interfered greatly with her work. Founder of the Anti-Violence Project of Philadelphia, Spungen trains and lectures to social workers, police officers, and families of murder victims. Since she worked regularly with a personal trainer on weight training and cardio equipment, she wasn’t quite sure why this was happening.

Spungen was diagnosed with a severe Lumbar Scoliosis and Stenosis with herniations at every Lumbar disk. While her condition was in no way caused by her exercising, the training she was doing was not helping. She was actually over-strengthening and tightening her postural muscles –they were too tight to support her spine! Most of us think that tighter muscle is stronger, and that is not true! Especially postural muscles, which need to be able to lengthen and shorten appropriate to whatever activity we are engaged in (put simply, when you bend over your abdominal muscles shorten and your back muscles lengthen). Overly tight muscles will not lengthen just as overstretched muscles have a hard time shortening.

Three months after surgery, we worked to regain specific postural muscle strength and joint mobility. Today Spungen feels and looks great, crediting Pilates for her continued vitality. “My surgery was successful, but without Lynda’s assistance and Pilates, I know that I would not have recuperated so quickly, nor would I have attained the high level of functioning that I enjoy today.”

Fit Yummy Mummy!

Ryan Dodson asked:


From my personal experiences and my honest opinion, the only exercise equipment you should really have is yourself. Using your own body weight to build muscles is the absolute best and natural way to do it. Not only is it more effective, but it cost less than if you were to go out and buy exercise equipment, like a weight bench, free weights, or premium machines like the Bowflex or the Crossbow. Using your own body weight to build muscles, stamina and endurance is FREE. The only real cost is your time and dedication – and both of those things come easy as well when you use your own body weight instead of complicated weights.

You don’t need all that expensive equipment to get the results you want. All you need is a solid workout plan that you can follow each and everyday – using your body weight. It’s also much easier to do body-weight exercises and you can do them anywhere you are.

Back when I used to use weights, I would either have to take them on trips, or leave them home and just take a few days off from training. But ever since I started using these powerful body-weight exercises that are MORE EFFECTIVE than weights could ever be, I’ve had no problem doing them each and everyday – no matter where I am.

So not only are natural body weight exercises free of cost, but they’re also “portable”, allowing you to do them anywhere and anytime. No need to adjust the weight or resistance of a machine. The best workout exercise equipment has been with you your entire life. Use it.

Fit Yummy Mummy!