All About Pilates Springs

In the very beginning, Joseph Pilates didn’t use equipment with springs as he taught people “Contrology”. He developed the form of exercise through teaching himself, studying the movement of children and animals, and helping injured people heal their bodies with movement. It soon became what we now call Pilates, and he eventually expanded the method by introducing apparatus with springs. So, what are the Pilates springs for? Should you be using them in your practice? Let’s find out. 

In The Beginning

It’s said that Joseph Pilates’ started training injured soldiers early on, and helped them overcome their injuries. I know for a fact that he eventually trained a lot of injured dancers in New York, as I’ve met some of them. He was known for “fixing people” and their weak and sore bodies. During this work, he noticed that he was straining his own body as he was supporting people’s limbs during their sessions. He saw a need and started designing various pieces of equipment that are now known as the apparatus. 

What The Apparatus Does

The reformer is the most well-known Pilates apparatus, and it’s so-named because it was designed to be your teacher. It exists to help you feel the muscles and connections in your body that you need to execute the exercises. In the beginning, you’ll probably spend more time learning/feeling the resistance of the Pilates springs than finding the deeper body connections, but you’ll get there. 

The reformer and other apparatus will help you find deeper connections and better alignment in your body, so you can get stronger and more controlled with your Pilates. They all have fun names, like the ped-o-pul, cadillac, tower, wunda chair, electric chair, baby chair, toe gizmo and the foot corrector. And they all have Pilates springs, maybe some straps, and all are designed to improve your mat Pilates. 

Are Exercises with Pilates Springs Better?  

I started out doing Pilates in the late 90s and early 2000s (along with everyone else) when it was mostly large Pilates classes taught at gyms. Heck, I was one of those trainers who even taught those classes with just basic knowledge. At the time, I didn’t know what Pilates could do for my body. I think that’s why mat Pilates might be seen as the “lesser” form of Pilates. 

With more Pilates education, practice, and the addition of the Pilates springs, though, I started to move better on the mat with more strength and precision. I soon saw that the apparatus and the mat worked together. The same mat movements can be done on the apparatus, which improves your abilities on the mat. 

Read More: Should I do Mat or Apparatus Pilates? 

I often see people have an “aha” moment while doing an exercise on the tower, while another may find a deeper connection or stretch on the reformer. We’re all unique and learn differently, and Pilates (and its springs) support that. It also supports various body types and abilities. 
I love Pilates because it helps you feel more connected to your body and how it moves, but also because it helps your body be strong and mobile so you can do all the things you love.