What is Pilates?

Pilates is a holistic approach to fitness. Its exercises combine strength, joint mobility, muscle flexibility, balance, and breathing, elements that unify and enhance both your physical and mental foundation.

Originally developed by Joseph Pilates (1883-1967), the method includes a repertoire of exercises and specialized equipment. Today, Pilates is primarily categorized into two branches: Classic and Contemporary.

Classic Pilates emphasizes Joseph Pilates’ original exercises and principles.

At CANVAS, our focus is on Contemporary Pilates, which integrates classical Pilates exercises into a modern framework informed by the latest scientific advancements in body and mind work. Our primary goal is to tailor the training precisely to each individuals goals and needs.

Pilates equipment is designed to support and challenge your strength, flexibility, and balance. By adjusting resistance, exercises can be customized to your specific level and objectives.

Reformer Pilates

Reformer Pilates is a popular piece of equipment used for everything from rehabilitation to fitness classes. Built around spring resistance, the carriage moves back and forth on the frame. Additionally, the carriage can be propelled forward and backward using hand or foot straps. The spring resistance is adjustable, and exercises on the reformer include lying, standing, and seated movements that target the entire body.

The reformer is an ideal tool whether you’re training for strength, support, mobility, or flexibility. The exercises can be tailored to your focus, level, and preferences.

Tower

Training with the Pilates Tower offers numerous benefits, including versatility, full-body engagement, adjustable resistance, core strengthening, flexibility improvement, rehabilitation support, precision, and enhanced balance. The Tower is a valuable equipment f0r anyone looking to improve their physical condition and overall well-being or rehab an injury.

The Tower possesses many of the same functions as a Pilates Cadillac but takes up significantly less space.

On a Tower, you can attach accessories such as a trapeze, springs for the bar, and longer springs with foot and hand straps. Training can be done sitting, lying down, and kneeling, as well as performing standing exercises from the floor.

Wunda Chair

The Wunda Chair is a fantastic piece of exercise equipment that can be used to train the entire body. It is especially ideal for working on the legs and knees, as well as for balance and back training. Additionally, the Wunda Chair is an effective tool for people with concussions, as it remains stationary.

Like the other Pilates equipment, the Wunda Chair is built around spring resistance. Here, the pedal moves up and down, providing support or challenge depending on the resistance set by the springs.

Exercises on the Wunda Chair can be performed sitting, lying down, and standing, offering variety in your training.

The Wunda Chair is one of the studio’s absolute favorites for private training – and reportedly, a favorite among many clients as well!

Pilates Matwork

Pilates Matwork is the foundation of Pilates. In the class, you work on a mat through a flow of different exercises focused on core training. After a class, you will have completed a full-body workout based on elements of strength, mobility, flexibility, balance, and breath. Pilates Matwork is ideal for training strength and flexibility. Additionally, it is a form of exercise that can be done anywhere and requires nothing more than yourself and a mat.

In a Pilates Matwork class, we occasionally use various small probs such as balls, light hand weights, foam rollers, and resistance bands.