So, you’re thinking of opening your first small Pilates studio?
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Whether that’s in your home or you are renting a small commercial space, it’s incredibly important to think about what equipment to purchase.
Not only is good Pilates equipment expensive, the apparatus you purchase has a huge effect on your class or session offerings and that in turn will determine what type of clients you teach. This can make or break your success as a Pilates instructor.
That being said, it’s always possible to sell some of your equipment again and purchase a different model if your needs or your clients change in the future.
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What excites you more: teaching a room full of energetic clients or focusing on one person at a time and developing deep connections with your clients?
One is not better than the other, it really depends on how you want to spend the rest of your teaching years.
If you prefer teaching group classes, then the obvious thing to do is purchase multiple pieces of the same apparatus. In order to create a supportive environment for people with varying abilities within the group atmosphere, I encourage you to accessorize heavily.
By stocking up on pillows and cushions, towels and bars, blocks and handles of various density, size and shape, you’ll be able to adapt the exercises to each individual client.
Most Pilates studios offer group Reformer and/or mat classes. Purchasing as many Reformers as you can fit into your space is the natural choice.
Adding Towers to the Reformers increases your exercise repertoire tremendously. Luckily you don’t have to make that investment right away in the beginning. Towers can be added easily after a year or two.
Instead of a Tower attached to a Reformer, you could mount springboards on the wall space between the Reformers and place mats in front of the springboard. This way you don’t have to add and remove the conversion mats and you can quickly switch from Reformer to Tower exercises.
By choosing Reformers without Towers, you could consider going with the type that stacks or can be stored upright, which allows you to use the now available floor space for Chair classes or Spine Corrector classes.
Some chair models can also be stacked as well as these foam Spine Correctors or baby arcs:
Stacking Reformers will require someone’s help. You can always ask the client that’s leaving or arriving to help. Make sure to only let a client help who is strong and healthy enough to lift the Reformer with you. And don’t forget to teach them to lift from their legs and core, instead of their arms and back.
A Reformers that stand up on their end might be maneuverable by one person, but they are still heavy.
Either way, it does require time and effort to transform the room. If your schedule switches back and forth between types of classes a lot, this could end up being a lot of work for you. I highly recommend not doing it alone all the time to avoid burnout or overuse injury.
When purchasing arc barrels, I would highly recommend purchasing different shapes! Instead of getting 6 Pilates Arcs, I would go with 3 Arcs and 3 Clara Step Barrels. Or 6 Arcs and 3 Clara Step Barrels, if it’s in your budget. Why? Because different body types need different shapes or equipment. Tall and/or stiff clients will prefer the Pilates Arc. Shorter and/or flexible clients will do better with the Clara. By having three extras you can offer the perfect apparatus to each of your clients. Quick note: I wouldn’t go the other way round. Many people can’t deal with the steepness of the Clara Step Barrel.
The same is true for props. Make sure you accumulate firm and soft foam rollers, balls of different sizes. I know that color-coordinating your props makes the space feel more organized, but people like and tolerate different things. I used to be happy rolling on a thin yoga mat and lying supine on an extra firm foam roller and then I turned 45 and everything changed. ????
When teaching one-to-one private sessions, I would recommend purchasing one of each apparatus (or whatever you can fit). Start with a mat, a Reformer, a Spine Corrector and if in your budget a Chair.
Teaching lots of one-to-ones and maybe using lots of hands-on cueing, I encourage you to consider a taller version of the Reformer. 18 or 24 inch legs are recommended to avoid straining your back while teaching hours and hours of private sessions. “Regular” height Reformers of 14 to 16 inches - while great for group classes and rooms with low ceilings - can be quite challenging for the teacher. I started teaching on those, and found myself sitting on a Reformer box or rolling stool next to my client a lot to avoid bending down to my student repeatedly.
Also, the lower the Reformer, the harder it is for your elderly or injured clients to get on and off the machine.
I would never recommend Reformers without legs for a professional environment. The only exception is if you already have multiple Reformers and want one for those clients who are afraid of heights to do standing exercises on the Reformer. This is a very specific scenario and since we are talking about using a small space efficiently, using a low-to-the-ground Reformer would not do that.
The Trapeze Table-Reformer combo gives you a full canopy for all Cadillac exercises. So, you basically get two full apparatuses in one. Transforming the apparatus might take a few seconds here but is not as much work as stacking Reformers. This reminds me to ask your students to help you grab mats, props, and other accessories. Don't do it all by yourself. Once your students know the drill, you can save so much energy.
Alternatively, you could install a Wall Tower or add a Tower to your Reformer, either immediately or later on. Adding a Tower to your Reformer takes away the ability to stack your Reformers or store them upright, but if you teach mostly Reformer classes then adding the tower multiplies your exercise options. Alternatively, I’ve seen studios move their Reformers next to a springboard which acts as the tower. If you’re doing this just make sure your Reformer is on a non-slip surface so it doesn’t slide when you start working with springs that are mounted on the springboard while sitting, lying, kneeling or standing on the Reformer.
I would recommend a Wall Tower over the Springboard - even the one with the push-through bar -because the latter doesn’t allow you to push the bar through the vertical line and you’ll lose quite a few exercises.
After reading this you might be thinking that you wouldn't be able to teach semi-private sessions if you only have one of each piece of apparatus. Actually, you absolutely can. Just differently. And because this article is getting way too long already, check out my article about "how to teach semi-privates" inside the membership. Not a member? Just me at [ protected] and I'll explain.
A really important consideration when choosing your Pilates space is ceiling height. For exercises where you stand on the Reformer or Chair you need higher than average ceilings.
I’m 5 feet and 6 inches (167 cm) tall. If I stand on the Reformer I’ll need 70 inches of vertical space (that doesn’t include my arms reaching to the ceiling. To stand on the Chair, I need 82 inches. To reach my arms straight up while standing on the chair I‘ll need 105 inches; that’s 8 feet and 9 inches. Standard rooms are roughly 8 (96 inches) feet tall.
This makes taller than normal ceiling height one of your most important criteria when searching for a Pilates studio space.
In addition, rooms with high ceilings just feel bigger and if you don’t have a lot of square footage, that’ll make a big difference in how the space will feel.
Use doors and walls as workout space. Just make sure you lock the door while using it so you or your student don’t get hurt if someone opens the door unexpectedly.
Related: The Wall is a Great Pilates Apparatus
A Springboard or STOTT’s Spring Wall mounted flush to the wall barely takes up any space at all. Wall Towers are great too, but take up slightly more room. When working with small spaces you’ll have to embrace the concept of trade-off. There’s no way around it. Is it more important to save a foot of space and choose a springboard or can you “afford” the extra 20 inches and go with a Wall Unit which will give you more exercise options?
The Fuse Ladder can serve as your springboard as well as stall bars/ Swedish ladder. It can also be used with the CoreAlign, which can be stored upright.
(Photo: Kristin Long DiMiceli via Facebook)
Store your accessories on tall wire shelving or individual wall shelves. Use all the height your room has to offer. You can even clip your springs to the front of the shelf, storing them neatly and organizing them by color (duh!).
Joseph Pilates himself was aware of the space issue back in his day. He invented the low chair specifically so his students could workout in their small NYC apartments between sessions at his studio.
The original Wunda Chair came with cushions that transformed the exercise apparatus into a “normal” chair.
When I moved into my current home, I couldn’t afford the counter stools I wanted right away (I naturally chose to spend all my money on Pilates equipment. ????) So I used my Pilates chair as a counter stool. The height worked out perfectly.
Instead of doubling as furniture, some manufacturers have developed apparatuses that can be transformed into a different apparatus in just a few steps.
A high back can transform a low chair (such as the Wunda Chair) into a High Chair (also known as Electric Chair).
Related: Learn the Ladder Barrel repertoire
Choosing apparatus for your first studio is a hard decision. I've noticed even in other areas of my life that it's extremely hard to purchase the first of anything. You just don't know. Once you've owned your first tent/ running shoe/ tennis racket/ house, you'll know much better the second time around.
Try not to sweat the decision too much. Over time, you’ll realize what works and what doesn’t and give yourself permission to make changes as you go. I started my studio very small. First, I only taught mat and I had some props. Then I purchased my first Reformer. When it was time to order my second Reformer I knew that I wanted a taller model to make it easier on my back, etc.
What works now, might not work later, you and your studio evolve, and equipment can change with it. Luckily, there is the pilates-contrology-marketplace on Facebook, that makes it easier to sell your used equipment.
If I were to open another small studio with the goal of teaching mostly private lessons this is what I would choose:
Once you’ve made the decision on which apparatus to invest in, now comes the really difficult part: which upholstery color should you choose? Lol!
I’ve got some tips for you…
A lot of my students have been asking where and what kind of Pilates equipment they should be buying. Since I have bought many pieces of equipment throughout my career: used, new, from different manufacturers, for myself, and for my home studio, I wanted to share some of what I have learned and found helpful in making the decision.
A couple of notes, before we start…
I’m a Classical Pilates Teacher, so the resource list is mainly focused on classical Pilates Equipment. If Contemporary Pilates is your thing, the resources won’t help you, but check out the tips around making a buying decision.
I have no affiliations with any of the manufacturers or organizations mentioned in this post, just sharing my personal experiences.
OK, you are ready to buy your next favorite Pilates piece of equipment, but where to start? Here are some of the things to consider…
Pilates equipment prices could range from $150 to $7,600. Generally, the larger the piece the more expensive it is. Smaller pieces like magic circle, breath-a-sizer, toe and foot correctors, neck stretcher, sandbag, etc. – these accessories usually stay between $25 and $300.
Classical equipment is usually sold by specific equipment manufacturers – see the links at the end of the post.
Amazon and some manufacturers offer home versions of the equipment that could be significantly less expensive.
Home or Studio version?
There is always a question whether home versions of a reformer or chair are ok to buy.
The answer really depends on your preference. Generally, if you are used to working on a classical equipment, home versions won’t feel the same, but that may be ok.
I like to think of it similar to how I think about my skincare products:
There is an option that is affordable and available in grocery store and then there is a salon option.
Some products are completely fine to get at Walmart, for example my favorite eye makeup remover is Neutrogena – cheap, effective and I can get it at any grocery store
My hyaluronic acid is from PCA skincare.
Want more information on pilates equipment manufacturer? Feel free to contact us.
What product gives you best result, is it worth the investment, etc.? I think similarly about Pilates equipment.
Whatever the piece is, consider taxes and shipping charges. Shipping can be as expensive as 25% of the cost, so definitely shop around.
If ordering from the Pilates Equipment manufacturer, make sure to ask for discounts. Ordering online will not give you an option to ask for a discount, so reach out to the manufacturer via or .
What is your budget?
Now that you know how much you are willing to spend, make sure you have enough space.
Larger pieces are very heavy and are not easy to move around – Reformer, Cadillac, Raised Mat, High Chair, Ladder Barrel.
Some pieces require bolting to the ceiling – Guillotine, Tower Units.
Wunda chair and smaller barrels are usually most compact.
Is your space upstairs or downstairs? Although not impossible (my hubby and I did it), but not as easy to haul Cadillac to the attic???? This is more for planning, if you end up needing help carrying things
How much space do you have?
Knowing how much you will most likely use it may help you determine what quality/type of equipment you may want to consider.
To get the most of your equipment:
1. Schedule your workouts on the calendar
2. Join live classes, private/semi-private sessions
3. Check out on-demand subscriptions like Pilatesology.com and Pilatesanytime.com. They usually have free trials and free workouts.
This is a very subjective and personal choice. Everyone has an opinion and reasons for one piece of equipment over the other. I’m going to share my choices, but please consider this question to be a question with no wrong answer. No matter what you get it will be the right choice for you.
Here are my choices????
Barrels
I use Barrels ALL THE TIME. The barrels are amazing at opening the chest, shoulders, hips, etc. Barrels will help with posture, shoulder, hip, back pain, especially in the world of computers and phones. Plus, the barrels are cheaper, more compact and there are plenty of options for classes.
Pilates Stick/Springs
Although not classical piece, Pilates Stick works great if you don’t have Tower/Cadillac. Pilates Stick or Springs are cheap and versatile.
Wunda Chair
My next favorite piece to start with is Wunda Chair. It was the piece of equipment that Joe Pilates designed for small New York apartments as your “home reformer”. Normally, that’s not the piece of apparatus I go to first when I’m teaching my clients, because you need proper form as it is more challenging piece of equipment. That said, I think the intent of Joe was for us to use it at home to get stronger.
Wunda Chair is compact, looks like a piece of furniture, not as expensive as other pieces and gets you the results of a good/hard workout right away.
You can even attach springs to your chair and make it tower like for some exercises.
Reformer/Cadillac
I would consider Cadillac and Reformer once I have other pieces. This is just my preference, although I can definitely make a case for working on the reformer first.
This brings me to the last point. If you have a teacher that told you that your body needs a certain piece of equipment – I would start with that one.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, then don’t worry about it and go with what you like using the most. This will significantly increase the chances of you actually doing the work and enjoying your equipment.
No matter what you decide, you are right!
Now that you know what you want, should you get it New or Used?
Depending on the manufacturer of the equipment, the price difference between New and Used pieces can vary significantly. This is similar to making a decision about buying a new or used car– what do you prefer?
Consider the following and reach out if you’d like me to help you with buying used equipment.
What are you savings?
Where is it? Can you save on shipping by picking it up? Note, shipping on new pieces can be as high as 25% of the cost
Who is the manufacturer? Equipment from pure classical manufacturers hold value better.
How old is it? Was any maintenance done? Did the springs, straps, wheels get changed and how frequently?
How often was it used? Home pieces are usually used less and may not have required as much maintenance, where studio equipment usually has higher traffic and may need a lot of maintenance.
Do you like what is available for sale? For example, Gratz barrels are hardly ever available for resell…
Here is the list of known manufacturers of Classical Pilates equipment. There are others, but here are the ones I had personal experience with.
Balanced Body
· One of the largest manufactures of Contemporary and Classical studio and home Pilates equipment
· Fast shipping
· Limited selection of pure Classical pieces
· Cheaper options
Gratz
· Specializes in Classical Pilates equipment only
· Faster shipping
Pilates Designs
· Specializes in Classical Pilates equipment only
· Slower shipping
Peak Pilates
· Specializes in studio and home Pilates equipment
· Cheaper options
· Fast shipping
Legacy Pilates
· Classical Pilates manufacturer in Turkey, specializing in Classical Pilates equipment only
· Slower shipping
Pilates Lineage
· Specializes on the small apparatus (foot corrector, toe corrector, etc)
All produce excellent quality apparatus and have great customer service. Let me know if you would like more information on these manufactures or any specific pieces you are considering????
Have fun shopping!
xxx
Olga
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