Cadillac Apparatus
The general idea for this apparatus was developed during WWI when Joseph Pilates was detained in an alien detention camp in England. He would fasten poles with springs to hospital beds to rehabilitate patients. As time passed, Joseph Pilates integrated additional parts to the apparatus. The Cadillac apparatus as we know it today was named at a time when its namesake automobile was the prestige car in America. The Cadillac consists of a padded platform with a cage-like frame above it, to which various bars and straps are attached by springs. The Cadillac can be used in numerous ways, ranging from rehabilitative exercises to acrobatic-like movements.

Barrels
We use all three Pilates barrels: the small barrel, the spine corrector and the ladder barrel. It is said that beer kegs inspired Joseph Pilates when creating the original barrel (the steel keg hoop inspired the magic circle). The small barrel is for basic exercises and smaller people. The spine corrector works on a deeper stretch because of the height of its barrel. The ladder barrel helps to support placement and extension of the legs while standing. The barrels are designed to open the chest, correct the spinal alignment and increase flexibility in the hips.

Chairs
We use all three Pilates chairs: the arm chair, high chair and wunda chair. The arm chair’s lighter springs make it safe for older students and pregnant students to work the upper body, while the angle of the seat of the arm chair makes it perfect for stretching students with tight lower backs. The high chair, with its back support and handles, supports the spine during seated exercises and properly aligns the legs during standing exercises that work on strength and stability. The wunda chair is considered the original home gym and doubles as a piece of furniture. Inspired by the training of Chinese acrobats, Joseph Pilates took their platform and added a step with two springs that can be arranged in nine different ways, creating the ultimate workout challenge.

Accessories
Joseph Pilates created brilliant innovations to address the specific needs of his clients. It has been said that the pedi-pole was designed for opera singer Roberta Peters. Its design mirrors the spine and enhances posture, strength and stability. According to Joseph Pilates, proper alignment begins with strong feet, so he created the 2x4, toe exerciser and foot corrector to help students strengthen the feet and work on reflexology. The twist pole is an accessory used for stretching the sides of the body, opening the shoulders and “wringing out the lungs.” The sand bag works to build strength in the forearms, wrists, hands and fingers. The push up devices were adapted from gymnastics (similar to the even parallel bars) to increase range in push ups while eliminating pressure in the wrists. The breath-a-cizor was designed to increase breath and circulation in the body while building stamina.

Matwork
Joseph Pilates drew upon other methods of exercise (swimming, boxing, skiing, dancing, and gymnastics) and he took inspiration from nature (the movement of animals and children) to create the matwork exercises. He considered the matwork exercises the routine that required the height of control. He developed the equipment with the intention to help his students do the matwork well. With no headrest, foot bar, pedal, springs, handles, straps or bars, the matwork requires complete coordination of mind and body. It was with a clear vision that Joseph Pilates united the exercises done on the mat and on each apparatus to create the comprehensive system that we called the Pilates Method.