The woman got lucky, usually you can't even give that junk away.

I loved mat Pilates. I have never heard of the Pilates chair. Going now to google!

Let us know how you like it!

A Pilates chair is a new on on me - I've done mat and reformer. Any form of exercise that you do is a good exercise so I hope you enjoy using it. I'm with ya on the old and gray part! If that chair ends up making you look like the woman who sold it to you please let me know!

Pilates always seemed to out of reach for me. Yoga too. for some reason my body gets racked with cramps. Everything from my hips to my legs to my arms to fingers and toes will spasm up every time I try to do anything that involves a great deal of stretching like Pilates and yoga. Way too painful to push it. I hope you have fun with it and that you get great benefits from it! I really need to look into some strength training of some sort.

Here is a picture:

"The woman got lucky, usually you can't even give that junk away."

I'd say Lucille got lucky too 🙄

I have a Pilates reformer. Love it! (when I use it...) It feels so good to stretch out and limber up. I don't know anything about the chair, though. I tried yoga and didn't like it -- too slow, found it boring. With the Pilates reformer, I'm constantly moving and stretching.

ETA: I don't know if this is the exact model I have, I've had mine something like 20 years already, but this is pretty much what it is: AeroPilates Reformer 266 with Stand, Rebounder,Cords, & DVDs - QVC.com

That is totally different from the Pilates chair we use in our classes. I’ll try to find a picture when I have a more time. But let me tell you, it can be one of the most challenging and hardest exercise routines in the Pilates studio. I am pretty fit for my age and do advanced Pilates, and it took me at least 4-6 weeks to be comfortable in our chair class.

Your version looks a little tamed down and has the handles to give stability when standing on the top. We use a pole if needed when standing on top, but it is about balance and form (always about form) when doing most of the specific exercises. There should also be some adjustable weight settings.

Good luck, and do look at some videos to get started.

edited: found a photo quicker than expected. These run around $1300 new.

Amy, I started Pilates with a Mari Winsor video. It is classic Joe Pilates. There are different types of Pilates.

I think you can handle the beginner routine.

I guess I am not really sure of the point Kevin is trying to make here. The lady got a little money, I got a new way to exercise that I'm looking forward to, everyone's happy. I do hope that it will work out to be helpful and I'm glad she gave me all those videos to start out.

I use a Pilates chair in classes sometimes - the one you got looks like it does some of the same basic functions, but a little more limited than I've used - one of the ones I've used is more like this one:

Sounds like you've got a good start to doing some Pilates equipment exercises - there's a range of at least a dozen different types of Pilates equipment, in addition to floor exercises for a mat). I've been taking Pilates classes twice a week for years, and it's really helped me with strength, posture, and stability......mine aren't great, but they're way better than they were before :)

I do pilates for exercise and also for pain/injury management. The absolute most important thing is form. Of you’re supposed to do something with both hips on the chair, don’t raise one to go a little further. So I recommend doing this in front of a full mirror, spending a lot of time looking at the form in the video and then in the mirror. Start slow and advamce when youre sure you’re doing it correctly.

If you need a little assistance with posture while sitting, then take a hand towel, fold it in quarters and sit so it’s on the very edge of your bum. It will tilt you ever so slightly and help while you build your ab strength.

I’m at Club Pilates now to keep costs down and many of the instructors don’t correct form. Makes me crazy.

We have the Allegro 2 Reformer with legs, although I couldn't tell you if they are steel legs or carbon fiber legs. It's the Adobe White color.

the one you got looks like it does some of the same basic functions, but a little more limited than I've used -

It looks like the one you showed is better made than mine for sure, I think mine is a beginner model, but that's OK, I'm a beginner.

I think Kevin's point is you don't need all this special stuff to stay fit. A mat, some resistance bands and maybe a few a few weights and you're good to go. In my opinion the most important exercise to do as we get older are stretching and working on core strength and balance. The first 2 lead to the latter.

Remember Jane Fonda's fitness program? It didn't rely on exercise equipment. Your "equipment" was your body and learning how to move and use it to achieve fitness.

I think Kevin's point was snarkiness.

Lucille, you inspire me. Thank you. 😘

" I think Kevin's point is you don't need all this special stuff to stay fit. "

Although Pilates isn't about staying fit, it's about staying balanced, flexible, and in control of one's body. Most of the equipment, in it's early forms, was developed by him in hospitals, using bed springs to help build balance and strength in those recovering from war injuries.

I, too, think Kevin's point was to be snarky, as if Pilates was some fad made-for-TV exercise regime, like using a Thighmaster. In reality, Pilates - including the equipment - is over 100 years old.

you don't need all this special stuff to stay fit.

That is true. But many of us discover interesting paths to fitness. Your own path, horsebackriding, involves far more planning and expense than a $25 chair, but I know I speak for everyone here when I say how pleased all of us were at your first posts explaining the horsebackriding lessons you had been given as a gift from your husband and how rewarding this riding has become for you.

Good for you, lucillle! I really hope you enjoy it and let us know how it's going for you!

As someone with injuries, Pilates through reformer work is especially good because your spine is in a neutral position while doing a full body workout. I own a Balance Body IQ reformer. The chair was something we advanced to.

Now, as it’s gained more popularity, there are many Pilates ”variations”, Club Pilates being one that I really just consider an exercise class.

I will always be a traditionalist (preferring a Stott trained instructor), but if people are moving and not getting hurt in the process, it’s exercise and a good thing.

I was a 6 day a week, 2 hours a day Golds Gym fanatic before a car accident, and while I can say I’ve never been as strong, my body responded to Pilates in a more rounded way, balancing strength with flexibility.

Lucille what you bought was a version of the Pilates Wunda chair, in classical Pilates it is used for intermediate/advanced exercises.

I googled and watched a promotional video with Susan Lucci my idol, the exercises they are promoting on the Malibu version are far beyond what beginners can do or most importantly SHOULD attempt on their own.

Pilates is a program that builds from a set of core (see what I did there) basic exercises that focus on strengthening and toning especially the muscles of the abdomen, back and hip areas of the body. That in turn helps increase one's balance and postural alignment.

The wunda is used for a series of more advanced variations of those exercises done on the reformer and to some extent the mat programs. They are intended to work the same muscles and systems of the body but in different planes--so you might be doing the same type of movement but you are in a different position.

Wunda chair workouts are very challenging and it's extremely important to do them correctly-for a beginner especially I would advise never to try chair moves without an instructor. It would be very easy to injure yourself or not get the benefits intended by trying to jump onto that machine and pump away.

I'm a longtime, very devoted Pilates student and it's changed my body and my life in huge positive ways. It can be very pricey but if you actually are interested in Pilates I'd strongly suggest you start by going to a reputable studio that does classical Pilates.

There are a ton of faddish variations, one of which is the one you bought, and classical adheres most closely to what Joseph Pilates set out to do for the body. Even if you don't stay in lessons or classes, you should at least understand what and how Pilates works.

It's good you got that piece of equipment so cheap because based on that informercial video I saw, you are not going to be able to do most of what they are advertising as super-fast-fat-burner-great-body-in-6-weeks nonsense.

That's no criticism of you Lucille, those exercises are tough ones that students only tackle after a lot of practice on more basic equipment. What you don't want to do is hurt yourself trying things that are way beyond beginner level, so I advise being very careful and if possible checking out some real Pilates first.

Hey, even if you only use it a few times you haven't paid much for it and you tried something new. Even though it's not necessary for fitness, it's fun to try new things and work out muscles (and brain!) in new way.

I would add to overall strength training to WC's list of "most important" things we can do for ourselves as we get older. I recently started weight lifting again to hopefully slow down the loss of muscle and bone mass as I age.

lucillle Thank you. Yes horseback riding is my fitness program but so much more. It keeps me mentally strong and fit as well. gets me through the rough days. Nothing is immune to marketing. Everyone is selling something. Yes Kevin was being snarky but I don't think it was a personal snark, more against the culture of people buying things and then being stuck with them as the next trend comes in. Pilates is a great program but as with most anything marketing takes hold when enough interest is shown. It true of most things. our grandparents stayed fit through daily chores and walking. People used to walk to neighbor markets and to shop in their regular clothing. When they went downtown they dressed up but were still walking. Now people spend hundreds of dollars special athletic clothing and footwear to walk around the block. No one is immune. The horse world certainly has more than its share. From supplements to apparel t to tack to magical solutions and ridiculous horse whispering programs everyone is hawking something.

I believe that anyone that is serious about an activity or sport should buy the best equipment for their level of skill. But I think people are oversold on being convinced that this or that is a shortcut. I hope you have fun with the new chair and videos. You did score a good deal.

" I believe that anyone that is serious about an activity or sport should buy the best equipment for their level of skill. "

True, but it takes entry-level work with less-than-best equipment and supplies in order to decide if one is serious about a particular activity or not. I wouldn't recommend anyone buy the best equipment or supplies, even for a beginner level, until one is sure that it's what they want to be doing.

Nice job finding equipment for a great price! Fitness equipment can be really expensive. Not every fitness activity works for everyone. If pilates works for you (even for a time), fantastic! I find it interesting since I've never seen the chair before. I've done pilates on a mat and I've seen the laying down equipment that Lindsey posted. Learn something new every day! I find even my "no equipment" exercise like running and swimming still ends up having equipment (running: shoes + sports bra + hydration pack + running clothes, swimming: goggles + paddles + expensive swim suits). Having good equipment that works for you makes exercise more pleasant and at least for me, makes me more likely to do it.

I'm glad you are inspired and I think it is never too late to find exercise that you are able to do.

My poor lazy muscles are complaining about this chair but I'm not going pay them any mind other than taking the process slowly. Several people in the thread mentioned Pilates reformers so I found a decent deal on a used one and I should get it in a week or so.

For many years I loved to bicycle and around the time I got Covid and then was diagnosed with diabetes I sort of tapered off and now no longer ride. Moni's recent picture appearance has inspired me, after gaining back some strength and control I am going to start riding again. I'm hoping that by the time cooler weather rolls around and I can exercise outdoors, my present efforts will bear fruit and I will once again enjoy riding on my bicycles.

I've been doing Pilates private lessons about 7 months and small group (4) classes at a boutique studio here. Just finished my session this morning. It has helped me a lot with strength, balance, and flexibility. We use the Reformer, springboard, mat, and sometimes we use the stability chair. I've seen that type of chair for sale a lot on places like FB marketplace; otherwise they are quite expensive! But whatever gets you moving, but generally the chair exercises are a little more advanced.

But a majority of her clients especially private lessons are over 60 and/or some sort of special population like arthritits, etc.

I saw a 97 yr old man carry a total of 100 lb weights around the perimeter of a gymnasium last week, he's been exercising since 1947. It takes motivation to get you started, discipline to keep going and determination to finish what you started. Not many can maintain one or more of these behaviors and why there are so many exercise gadgets for sale cheap or free.

If you want to refer to reality as snarky go ahead, but so many buy a gadget and find out it's work killing determination and they stop using it. They still have the motivation and buy another gadget advertised as easy, and so it goes. Without work nothing is accomplished, and a machine that does the work for you is worthless.

I'm not a yes man, I say what I mean and wouldn't congratulate a person for showing a little motivation and buying a gadget. I will congratulate someone who has the discipline to keep it going for a six months but add to keep going and push a little harder if you can.

@gsciencechick has the right approach by setting up a habit of going someplace for support to help with the discipline and determination because he/she has the motivation. So congratulations to you gsclencechick for following through, and keep it up with maybe a little walking after each workout?

past practice suggests you'll give up in two weeks.

Where did you get this from? I have done my bicycling for many decades, at least 40 years; I sadly did give it up in recent years after having Covid and then becoming ill with diabetes and other medical issues, I was very ill for a while; but I am trying to gradually get back to it. I've done my indoor cycling for years, same with my Richard Simmons videos, and my set of hand weights. I've been walking extensively for over a year since Clementine came to live with me. I think your accusations are unfounded, and I am puzzled as to your mean spirited, hurtful criticism?

If you feel that now is not the time for congratulations and you want to wait, that is fine; but there is no need to tear me down ahead of time and broadcast your confidence in my failure.

For those who have supported me in this new endeavor and adventure, thank you. I appreciate the advice and appreciate those who wrote of their own experience. I hope Pilates will be another tool to help me maintain strength and keep exercising as I age.

Lucille, best of luck with the new equopment. If for some reason you do get discouraged, you know what to do. It appears there are several of us Pilates nuts around here willing to help.

I am not diciplined enough to practice any kind of exercise on a regular basis at home, on my own. I admit it freely. So, I’ve been taking myself to a local fitness center several times a week for assorted yoga classes, Pilates training, lap swimming, and a variety of cardio and strength machines.

One thing I realized about the Pilotes is how, after a few months, my body sort of restructured itself. I felt longer and leaner, my stride lengthened, and my posture became straight.

My husband started going to twice weekly Pilates (group) classes in 2016. In 2017 he bought the Reformer that I referenced above. In 2019 he dropped one of the group classes and instead was going to a weekly private lesson in addition to the one weekly group class. In 2020 when things shut down because of Covid, he was able to continue with Pilates on a regular basis on our machine. In March 2022, Hubs started the weekly private lessons again. There are a lot of great exercises that you can do on the Reformer. We also have the following add-ons for the Reformer -

The tower

The jump board

Rotating discs

" One thing I realized about the Pilotes is how, after a few months, my body sort of restructured itself. "

That happened to me too, shortly after I started......Although I hadn't lost any weight, I had to get some of my clothes altered for my new shape.

Toronto, you brought up something about the Pilates that is critical to me. I really don’t want to lose any weight, just the opposite. Consistent Pilates keep me balanced, vigorous, agile, and free of a lot of my fibromyalgia pain, which is considerable. But it’s not a fat melter-offer.

The more I look into Pilates, the more I am finding lots of information. I am looking at some online sites/videos, and a book, in order to start with the basics and maybe some mat work. There is much to learn.

Lucille a gentle reminder: Pilates really truly doesnt work best as a DIY program

You don’t have to commit to lessons or classes long term but for your own sake please find a studio or instructor and let someone who is qualified show you the basics.

This is not a good picture, but it's from mid-2017. Hubs turned the 3rd bay of our garage into a yoga and Pilates studio. It shows our Reformer.

What a wonderful exercise room!

If you mean our little yoga and Pilates "studio," it's not really a "room" - it's in our garage! Hubs put wood parquet floor squares down, which you can see in the pic.