Exercise Equipment FAQs

Steve Estes asked:


I will assume that you have done Pilates class before so I imagine that you’ve used Pilates machines or other such Pilates equipment. There are a number of these machines available for the home gym. Every single Pilates machine I’ve seen, like the Pilates Reformer, is a completely self-contained workout device.

It doesn’t really matter which “brand name” of Pilates you practice, whether it’s Winsor Pilates, Malibu Pilates, or Stott Pilates, there is a pretty fair chance you’ve used one of these home machines. Perhaps you’ve even bought one for your own home gym. If you don’t have one but thought about buying one…keep on reading.

O.K., let’s get right down to it. This are my reviews of the three top selling Pilates machines available for you to purchase today. I am going to review, for your benefit, the Pilates Reformer, the Malibu Pilates Chair, and the ever popular Pilates Power Gym.

So here is the first review…the Pilates Reformer, the top dog of Pilates machines.

Pilates Reformer Review

This one is in a class by itself so the Pilates Reformer is THE best in Pilates machines, bar none. It has proven itself to consistently be the best exercise equipment of choice used by the world’s top flight Pilates instructors. I know the name sounds like some sort of torture device straight out of the Spanish Inquisition, but it is a high quality piece of equipment.

I think most people are aware that Joseph Pilates formulated the exercise system that bears his name while in a internment camp in the beginning of the 20th century. What he wanted was a complete holistic system of modern exercise. Pilates strengthens the core abdominal muscles which align and correct your postural muscles, giving you an incredible sense of health and well-being.

All you have to do is sit in the comfortable carriage of the Pilates Reformer, and using the patented pulley and spring system to push and pull your self back and forth with a progressively higher and higher level of intensity. This is a real work-out folks.

The Pilates Power Gym

If you are looking for a light weight work out machine, the Pilates Power Gym should be just the ticket. With its padded handles and straps and carbon steel structure (just like the Reformer) it’s simple and easy to operate. It’s completely adjustable for each level of fitness, including yours. At only half the size of the Pilates Reformer, the Power Gym makes sculpting and toning of you hips, calves, **** and back, not to mention firming up and adding muscle to your arms and abs, an incredibly easy process. You won’t be able to help cwatching yourself in your mirror to see a more fit and healthy new you!

Malibu Pilates Chair

As perhaps the smallest, most compact (and at under $350, the most affordable) Pilates machine, the Malibu Pilates chair is the new boy on the block. Like most every other piece of Pilates equipment you have to actually use it to make it effective for your own weight loss regimen. But the Malibu Pilates chair makes it simple to lose weight with the free wall chart and diet plan that is included with the initial purchase price. Although it might be difficult to believe that you can actually get a good work-out while sitting on your backside, I am here to let you know that this thing hands you an unparalleled workout in only half the space you might normally use.

Fit Yummy Mummy!

Adam Clark asked:


Elliptical exercise equipment is one of the fastest growing segments in the health and fitness industry and has been one of the most recommended exercise machines by physical trainers as it provides a total body workout. Thus elliptical trainers are one of the most popular pieces of exercise equipment and are excellent tools for getting a cardiovascular aerobic workout indoors or outdoors as well. The major benefit of an elliptical machine is that it burns more calories while reducing the risk of injury.

Elliptical exercise equipment provides a maximum amount of efficiency when working out. Many elliptical machines work multiple parts of the body at the same time, whereas a jogging for instance focuses more on your lower body and tends to produce impact and overuse injuries. A good elliptical machine will work on several parts of your body including the muscles in your legs, arms, back and abdomen.

What makes a elliptical exercise equipment unique is the ability to offer a weight bearing, aerobic workout that minimizes impact and stress on the joints, which reduces the risk of injury. The low-impact aerobic workout of an elliptical trainer is achieved through smooth, natural motion. The fluid, low impact and non-jarring motion makes elliptical machines an ideal fitness equipment for workouts for anyone suffering from back, knee, hips and joint problems.

The workout can be made challenging enough for serious athletes, but easy and safe enough for beginning athletes. The workout can be as intense as you make it, while minimizing the risk of impact injuries. When it comes to cardiovascular aerobic workout, elliptical exercise equipment are hard to beat.

Fit Yummy Mummy!

Jack Harmon asked:


There is no doubt that many people in this world want to change their body and look better. In fact this simple fact has driven the fitness industry to a multi-billion dollar industry filled with fitness machines and equipment.

Using Pilates is one answer to those who are looking to change their body to look better. But better yet with using Pilates you will get much more than just improving your body you will also improve your overall lifestyle.

To get started with Pilates there is not a requirement for a Pilates Machine or equipment although as you advance with Pilates you will definitely want to ensure you use a Pilates machine and the several forms of Pilates equipment.

The goal of this article will be to cover some of the more popular types of Pilates equipment and the main Pilates Machine a Pilates reformer.

Pilates Machine Reformer

The main Pilates machine used with the Winsor Pilates method is the Pilates reformer. The goal of the Pilates Reformer machine is to provide a comprehensive total-body workout. A Pilates machine can address every muscle group with 32 exercises; and folds up to for easy storage.

A good Pilates reformer will offer several levels of resistance. Expect somewhere around 4 or 5 total levels so that as you advance with Pilates you will increase the level of resistance. These Pilates Machines can come with a wood base and some of the top of the line reformers have patented Aero Pilates cardio/strength combo built in.

Pilates Ball

Pilates balls come in many forms, with the main goal of providing a low impact workout. You will see the more advanced Pilates balls typically around 22 inches with Pilates rings and adjustable tubing. Essentially these Pilates balls have the elastic resistance bands so that you can workout in both your mid section and upper body.

Pilates Rings And Pilates Circles

Pilates rings (sometimes known as Pilates circles) stem from the original Pilates workout designed by Joseph Pilates. Basically these Pilate rings are an elastic rubber and allow you to get a total body workout with resistance. Pilate rings are great for traveling or in home workouts because they are small and compact.

A good Pilates ring will consist of flexible plastic and a soft rubberized shell. The ring should have padded handles both inside and outside and provide leveling resistance between a 3 and 4 band ring circle.

Overall the above Pilates machine and equipment provide a good overview of some of the more popular Pilates items used with training. The Pilate machine or equipment is not required to get started with Pilates, but as you advance with Pilates you may want to consider a few of the items. Winsor Pilates is revolutionary workout which can provide you a brand new lifestyle. If you are considering a fitness program I highly recommend you give Winsor Pilates a try.

Fit Yummy Mummy!