The Pilates Chairs

The Wunda Chair is the most commonly known chair apparatus that Joseph Pilates designed. It’s the one that I have in my studio but there are two others: the High Chair and the Armchair, both of which are on my wish list. Joseph Pilates thought the Chair would be the perfect apparatus for everyone to have in their homes, and I may have to agree. 

The Wunda Chair Design

I love the video of Joseph Pilates where he is sitting in his living room with Clara, reading the newspaper on his Wunda Chair. He then gets up, turns it over, and starts doing his Pilates exercises. His original design actually converts into a “sitting chair”, and a friend of Joseph Pilates once told me that he had Pilates chairs around his dining room table!

My favourite Wunda Chair design is the classical one, closest to Pilates’ original design. Many of my clients call it “the box”, which it is! It’s a wooden box missing one side, where you’ll find the pedal which is attached with a piano hinge to the back of the inside of the box. There are also two springs attached to add resistance and support during exercises. 

Variations of this design may have a smaller top, higher pedal height, a split pedal, more springs, and/or tall handles attached. Handles can be very helpful for exercises where you’re standing on top of the chair to help with balance. There are also very inexpensive Wunda Chairs that fold up for storage. With so many options, the Chair has something for everyone.

The Challenge of the Wunda Chair

The Wunda Chair has some very challenging exercises that require a lot of strength, control, focus, good balance, and confidence. The surface is small, and some of the exercises have you standing on top of the chair or balancing just on your backside. There is far less surface area to support you, compared to the mat, cadillac, or reformer. 

There are also plenty of variations of exercises that involve standing on one foot and then moving the pedal down and up which can really knock you off balance. It is shockingly much more difficult than anyone ever expects.  

Wunda Chair Benefits

I love to use the Wunda Chair to see my clients’ posture, and it’s a great tool to help them improve their balance. It’s also the perfect apparatus for clients who can’t be on their back for long periods or at all due to injury or later-stage pregnancy. Using the Pilates chairs is a challenge, one that many of my clients love! 

The Other Pilates Chairs

The High Chair (or Electric Chair) is similar to the Wunda Chair on the bottom. It also has tall side handles, a board on the top, and one at the back. I’ve only used one a few times and it was a challenge to execute the few drills that I was taught. The design forces you to get into an alignment where you must use all the right muscles in the right order to execute the exercises. In my experience, it was used to teach me postures and movements that I could then take to the Wunda Chair for more of a challenge. 

Finally, the Armchair (or Baby Chair) is much different than the other two chairs. I feel that by looking at it, it’s obvious that you sit on it. It has a moving back, a seat, and is quite low to the ground. There is also a set of arm springs, making the exercises on this chair mainly upper body focused. The few times I used this chair, I found it a great challenge for my mind and body while trying to keep the moving backrest still. 

I often say that the Pilates Wunda Chair is my favourite apparatus… though I probably have said that about the others, too! I’m drawn to the Pilates chairs for the challenge and the feeling of accomplishment when I execute an exercise well. I can see the same satisfaction in my clients when they master a move, something that makes us both proud.