Pilates Equipment You Can Use At Home

By Alex Craig

There is no question that a Pilates exercise is one of the most effective low-impact exercise programs in existence.

Work Those Minor Muscle Groups

While traditional weight lifting exercises and aerobic exercises all the major muscle groups, Pilates workouts the minor muscles that support the major ones. By moving your body with a very tiny, focused reach of movement using Pilates equipment as basic as a mat, your Pilates instructor will lead you through a series of movements that will leave your muscles feeling sore and good for a day or two after.

A mat is the starting piece of equipment your Pilates studio should be furnished with. Using the mat, you can do a dozen or so killer Pilates movements that will keep your muscles taut and shapely.

The Reformer

Joe Pilates designed the first Pilates Reformer. Pilates fans enjoy this Pilates equipment because it "reforms" or corrects, the body's alignment. The Reformer is a reason Pilates exercisers swear by the long, lean look and feel that Pilates provides them. The Reformer combines a strength training workout that builds muscle mass, with a cardio workout, which is great for weight loss.

Pilates Equipment - DVDs

One different way to make sure you get a total workout is to use a novel piece of Pilates equipment -- an exercise DVD. Let a professional Pilates instructor, like Denise Austin, Ana Caban, Maggie Rhoades or Gaiam lead you through a world class workout that will leave you feeling lean and stretched tall. A DVD is a great starting point, if you are a beginner to Pilates and don't have any fancy Pilates equipment. DVDs range in complexity from beginning mat workouts and workouts for people that are not flexible to Reformer advanced workouts that combine yoga and Pilates to give you the added benefits of both disciplines.

Toning Ball By Stott Pilates

If Stott Pilates is your thing, get a super powered workout with a weighted toning ball. Add to the intensity of your workout and feel your core turn into a firm mass of hard muscle. The Stott Pilates Toning Ball DVD includes an amazing 88 minute video. If you can tough it through this video, you will attain maximal toning results in a minimum amount of time.

Spine Corrector Barrel

If you have room for this equipment in you household Pilates studio, you will be astounded at the way it makes you feel. Anyone with back problems will love the spine corrector barrel because it stretches out and lifts the individual vertebrae of the spine.

So as you can see, there are many different choices of Pilates Equipment for your household use. Find the suitable equipment for your useable space and you will be on your way to a lean, long toned body.