Meet the Pilates Tower and Cadillac

Next up in my series on the Pilates apparatuses: the Pilates Tower and Cadillac. These “versions” of the more popular reformer (at least on social media) have a lot to offer and are pretty neat in their own right. They’ve even got photogenic exercises like the candlestick and walkover to impress your friends and family. In all seriousness, though, one of these apparatuses might become your new in-studio favourite. 

What’s a Bednasium?

Back in the 1930s, Joseph Pilates began inventing different apparatuses to help him teach more people Pilates. The equipment was (and is) used to help you find connections, build strength, and challenge you. They also offer a myriad of variations of the exercises so anyone can do Pilates. 

One of Pilates’ inventions was called the Bednasiusm. It was a literal bed designed with springs and things attached to the headboard so you could do Pilates when you first woke up. Here is a video of him demonstrating how it would be used.

Eventually, he used those ideas to create what we now know as the Tower (also called the Wall Unit or Pole) and the Cadillac (or Trapeze Table). And yes, the latter is named for all the bells and whistles it has, just like the car did back then. 

Differences Between The Pilates Tower & Cadillac 

The Pilates Tower and Cadillac look similar and utilize resistance, but each has its own benefits. 

The Tower

The tower has a rolldown bar, push-through bar, leg and arm springs, and a stationary mat. This is different from the reformer, which has a moving platform. The stationary nature of the Tower is a great place to start before progressing to the reformer because the mat doesn’t move. It also makes a safer choice for anyone who is still working on their balance. 

This apparatus takes up little space compared to the Cadillac and is much easier to move around the studio. There are even foldable ones, which are great when you have a small space. Since it is floor-level, the tower is super safe for anyone with balance issues but may be challenging for those who find it difficult to get down to ground level or back up again. 

The Cadillac

Just like a Cadillac car is fancier than a Honda Civic, think of the Cadillac as the fancier version of the Tower. It still has the rolldown bar, push-through bar, leg and arm springs and the mat, but it has some exciting additions. There is the trapeze, fuzzy straps for hanging, and the canopy. The mat is also higher off the ground. 

These extras allow you to suspend your body and/or limbs in different ways; you can even hang upside down! The higher mat is great for those who may have trouble getting down to the ground or back up again, or have bad hips or knees. And, just like the Tower, the stable mat makes for a safer, easier option than the reformer. 

The one downside to the Cadillac however, is that it takes up a lot of space and isn’t easy to move. This is one of the reasons I haven’t had one… until today! I don’t have the ceiling height to be able to do exercises like candlestick or walkover, but I will be able to hang upside down and do exercises like pull-ups and side-hanging pull-ups. 

Standing Work With the Apparatus

Pilates involves a lot of laying down, and I’ve had clients who couldn’t stay on their backs for long stretches of time. The Pilates Tower and Cadillac have many standing exercise options for them, so they can build their strength up. There is a full sequence of standing work that involves a lot of upper body work including arms, shoulders and core. One exercise in particular that everyone’s back loves is the monkey (and reverse monkey). Over time, these clients have been able to build their strength up and slowly increase the time they could spend laying on the mat. 

Have Fun and Experiment

Pilates continues to inspire and surprise me. When Joseph Pilates designed the method, he truly did create something that anyone can do to improve their strength, mobility, and flexibility. Apparatus like the Pilates Tower and Cadillac are the perfect examples of how he made sure everyone was accommodated as well as challenged. 

No matter where you are in your fitness or Pilates journey, there are options for you to start moving and feeling better with Pilates.