The Pilates Tower

The Pilates Tower is a favourite of many clients, but one that isn’t as well known as, say, the reformer. I have people asking all the time if b.Pilates & Fitness has reformers. The answer is yes, we do have reformers in the studio… but we also have a whole lot of other equipment – like the Tower! 

These apparatuses (the fancy Pilates name for said equipment) are designed to help you to increase your strength, mobility, flexibility, control of movement, and awareness of how you move. As Pilates teachers, we need to remember that most people don’t even know what pilates is, let alone what all the apparatuses are! To help you become more familiar with the apparatuses, I’m going to introduce you to them over the next few weeks. Let’s start with the Pilates tower. 

Equipment Spotlight: The Tower

My favourite thing about the equipment:

• Movement becomes much more intentional when you use the springs! When I first started, doing single leg circles felt superfluous and untethered, because I couldn’t find the resistance in the movement. Doing single leg circles on the tower with the leg spring added resistance, and therefore intentionality and mind/body connection. I was able to learn how to move more in control by engaging my core and hips better through the movement!

How to use it:

• The tower is such a fantastic machine for pretty much every client. It’s a super safe option for building stability, connecting to movement, adding resistance, and so much more. Because there is no moving carriage, it’s a great place for many clients to start learning the exercises, building core stability, and more.

Why clients love it:

• Everyone loves leg circles! Your hips start to feel more open, you get a good inner thigh stretch, and you get the strength of a mat class with added benefits.

Tips for the next time you’re on the tower:

• Stay aware of your glutes! Movements on the tower often incorporate your full body more than you think. The next time you’re on the tower, think about where your limbs are connected TO your body, and try to articulate movement from there.

The tower has helped my clients to:

• Build more stability, incorporate more standing work, build up to and be assisted through the teaser.

Ready to Try the Pilates Tower?

The tower is versatile and allows you to do most of the Cadillac exercises. It also takes up a lot less space if you have the type that anchors to the wall and floor. There are also reformer-tower combo units or the springboard. The latter is essentially a plywood board with eye rings at various heights on which you can attach the roll down bar and arm and leg springs. This gives you the ability to do much of the work we do on the tower. It also mounts to the wall, making it a great option for your home gym.

If you like the history of Pilates,  Joseph Pilates’ invention “the bednasium” was very much like today’s tower, though the tower portion was lower. I was reading that he even invented a pole that fit into a door frame, and could have springs attached to it so you could do similar exercises as those on the guillotine or cadillac. I love how Joseph Pilates got creative with ways to help every body keep moving in every way. 

Today, the best way to try the Pilates tower is, of course, in a studio. You’ll learn how it works and the best movements for your abilities. If you fall in love with it, like many clients do, you can search for the best option to incorporate one into your home routine. And if you have questions, I’m always here to help!