If you’ve ever peeked into a Pilates studio and thought, “What are all those contraptions?” you’re not alone. Pilates equipment can look a little intimidating at first (Joseph Pilates was ahead of his time in design and engineering), but each piece has a very specific purpose: to support, challenge, and refine your movement.

At Kin, we use the classical Pilates apparatus, the same types Joseph Pilates invented, plus thoughtful updates for modern bodies. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned mover, understanding the equipment will help you get more out of every class.

The Reformer

The Reformer is the star of the Pilates world. A sleek frame with a gliding carriage, adjustable springs for resistance, and straps or a footbar for anchoring your movement.

What it’s like: Imagine a moving platform that challenges you to control every inch of your motion—whether you’re lying down doing footwork, kneeling in a balance series, or standing for a lunge.

Purpose: Builds strength, mobility, and control while supporting proper alignment. The springs create resistance in both directions, meaning your muscles work through the entire range of motion.
Fun Fact: Joseph first created the Reformer from a bed frame and springs while in an internment camp during WWI.
At Kin: Our reformer classes are small (just 8 people), so you get the group energy and the personal attention of a semi private session.

The Tower

The Tower is like the vertical cousin of the Reformer, a stable base with a spring-loaded frame attached to the wall or a raised mat platform.

What it’s like: You’ll work lying down, sitting, kneeling, and standing, using springs, bars, and straps that resist and assist your movement. Think deep core work, juicy stretches, and strength training all in one.

Purpose: Improves spinal mobility, strengthens the core, and builds flexibility in a supported way. The springs make even simple movements surprisingly challenging.
Fun Fact: Many Tower exercises are adapted from the Cadillac but in a more space-efficient setup.
At Kin: Tower sessions feel restorative yet challenging, perfect for reconnecting to your body on a deeper level.

The Cadillac

Yes, it’s really called the Cadillac and it’s the largest, most versatile piece of Pilates equipment. Picture a raised mat with a steel frame overhead, loaded with bars, straps, and springs for endless possibilities.

What it’s like: You might be lying on your back with springs helping your legs stretch, hanging from the top crossbar in a supported pull-up, or doing a slow, controlled roll-down with the push-through bar.

Purpose: Strength, flexibility, and assisted movement all in one apparatus. It’s equally brilliant for rehabilitation and athletic training.
Fun Fact: Joseph originally designed it to help bedridden patients exercise without leaving their beds.
At Kin: In private sessions, the Cadillac becomes your personal movement playground from gentle mobility work to acrobatic strength challenges.

The Wunda Chair

Compact, challenging, and surprisingly versatile, the Wunda Chair is a padded box with a pedal attached to springs.

What it’s like: You might sit on it to work your abs, stand on the pedal for balance training, or use it like a step-up bench with resistance. Every move demands core stability.

Purpose: Builds strength, balance, and coordination, especially in standing positions that translate directly into real life.
Fun Fact: Joseph designed it for small city apartments it could double as a piece of furniture.
At Kin: We use the Chair for everything from athletic conditioning to deep postural training. It’s humbling in the best way.

The Ladder Barrel

The Ladder Barrel combines a rounded padded surface with a ladder-like frame behind it.

What it’s like: You might stretch over the barrel for a luxurious spine extension, hook your feet on the rungs for a deep hamstring stretch, or do challenging ab work balanced over the curve.

Purpose: Opens the spine, releases tight muscles, and strengthens the core in shapes you can’t achieve on flat surfaces.
Fun Fact: The curve of the barrel perfectly mimics the natural arc of the spine, making it ideal for both deep stretches and controlled strengthening.
At Kin: Clients love it for those “I didn’t know my back could move like that” moments.

Why Use Different Equipment?

Each apparatus offers its own benefits, but they all share the same goal Joseph Pilates had from the start: creating a balanced, resilient body that moves with ease. Working across multiple pieces means you:

Train in different planes of motion.
Strengthen underused muscles while stretching overworked ones.
Keep workouts engaging and adaptable to your body’s needs.

Ready to Try Them All?

Whether you’re stepping onto the Reformer for the first time or stretching into a Ladder Barrel backbend, Pilates equipment meets you exactly where you are.

At Kin, our Simple Start Plan 3 for $89 is the perfect way to explore the Reformer and Tower in our small-group classes. For a full tour of the Cadillac, Chair, and Ladder Barrel, book a private session and experience the magic of the classical apparatus.

Your Guide to Pilates Equipment: From Reformer to Ladder Barrel