In addition to the Pilates reformer, FreeForm Physio & Pilates now has a Pilates chair.
Like the reformer, the Pilates chair or “Wunda” chair is another one of the original pieces of equipment first engineered by Joseph Pilates. It is the most compact piece of Pilates equipment. How does it work? Can it offer benefits the reformer can’t? In this blog (4 minute reading time), I will describe what a Pilates chair is, the different parts of the Pilates chair, how it differs from a Pilates reformer, and the additional benefits of this form of rehabilitation. If you are new to FreeForm and have never used this type of equipment during rehabilitation, I hope that after reading this description you will be keen to give it a try.
Let’s take a look at the Pilates chair. There are five parts to the chair.
As you can see, it is essentially a box, constructed of wood with a padded seat.
Connected to one side of this box is a pedal, attached by four springs of varying tensions, allowing your physiotherapist to customize the difficulty of an exercise.
This pedal can be split into two pedals. This is a great way to see how each limb can perform the same exercise separately. For instance, performing a hamstring curl and bridge on a split pedal will allow your physiotherapist to see how the muscles along the back of your leg are working during the same exercise. Does each leg have the same strength and control? A split pedal also allows for rotational type movements.
There are two detachable handles on either side of the chair. These are nice to have for balance and support when performing standing exercises like step ups from the pedal onto the padded seat of the chair. Step ups are a common exercise and assessment tool I will use for those clients trying to return to running and hiking pain free.
How does the chair work? How do you position yourself on the chair? What are common exercises that you can do on the chair?
The Pilates chair allows for more creativity than some of the other machines. The chair is great for standing or seated work. It can be used from positions both in front of the pedal or from seated positions with the pedal behind you. It can also work for exercises that are performed on your front or back, both from the floor and from the padded seat of the chair.
Image 1.
This first picture shows me sitting on the chair with my feet on the pedal(s). You can perform the same footwork exercise on the chair as you can on the reformer. Because of its design, the chair does not accommodate full range of motion for this exercise; however, the benefits of doing this exercise on the chair are as follows:
It is a more comfortable position for clients who are pregnant, or for those recovering from a concussion or vestibular impairment who prefer stable surfaces.
It demands greater activation of the trunk stabilizers, which is beneficial for those feeling pain when sitting.
It is a great way to progress weight bearing status, from supine zero gravity position on the reformer to unsupported sitting.
It allows you to more easily see what your feet are doing during the exercise.
The split pedal feature allows you to note differences between sides when performing the movement with both limbs simultaneously.
Image 2.
The second picture shows me on the floor with my feet on the pedal(s), in a position that looks familiar to people. This is the set-up for a hamstring curl and bridge, a great way to tackle the strength and rehabilitation of the hamstring and knee. The split pedal feature allows for evaluation of the strength and control of both limbs, as well as the ability to resist rotation at the lower back and pelvis level (as one leg lifts the pedal, does the lower back and pelvis move with it?).
Image 3.
The third picture shows me with my trunk on the box and my hands on the pedal(s). This is a great way to evaluate a client’s ability to control shoulder blade movement without trunk involvement. It is also a great way to practice push-up mechanics if a client is having pain or having trouble activating the correct musculature during a push up. Using a split pedal in this position allows the therapist to evaluate trunk rotation and if needed, perform joint mobilization or soft tissue work during the movement.
Image 4.
The fourth picture shows me resting in a four-point position with one hand on the pedal, one hand on the floor. This exercise focuses on shoulder blade stability and triceps strength, as well as the ability to resist trunk rotation when using one arm.
Image 5.
The fifth and final picture shows me beginning a step up on the chair. This is a great way to assess and treat a client’s lower extremity strength during a large step up. There are many variations of this exercise to facilitate and challenge different muscle groups.
What are the rehabilitation benefits of using the chair?
The chair is in many ways more functional than the Pilates reformer.
For example, sitting up and doing footwork on the chair - the body is in an upright position, demanding greater activation of the trunk stabilizers than the reformer. Being upright also more closely simulates everyday movements, making the exercises functional (Do you have pain when sitting at work? Then core work seated on the chair would be great for you. Do you have pain when hiking uphill? Then performing step ups on the chair is a great exercise.)
The chair is a great tool for progressing weight bearing status, from supine zero gravity position on the reformer to unsupported sitting, and eventually standing exercises on the chair.
It is also a great tool to challenge balance – for example, standing in front of the chair with one foot pressing the pedal up and down.
For certain client populations, seated/standing work is more comfortable than supine work. For example, the chair is extremely useful for pregnant women.
Similar to the benefits of the tower and mat convertor on the reformer, the chair is often more comfortable for those recovering from a concussion or vestibular impairment due to the stable base of the chair or the floor during exercises.
The split pedal allows for evaluation of strength and control between sides during the same exercise.
The split pedal supports rotation based movements – for example, lying on top of the chair, hands on the split pedal and performing mid back rotation.
The chair’s handle design allows the chair to be more supportive when needed.
The height of the seat is much higher than the Reformer, so it is easier to get onto the chair.
Summary
In short, the chair is a compact, yet versatile piece of Pilates equipment. You are able to do many of the same exercises on the chair that you can on the reformer. Some exercises on the chair allow for certain positions that may be more comfortable for specific client populations like pregnant women or those suffering from ailments that cause dizziness. The chair challenges the trunk stabilizers, balance and increased weight bearing, and therefore can provide more functional exercises than the reformer. I hope this gets you interested in giving this type of rehabilitation a try.
Work Cited/Resources
Wood, Samantha. (2018). Pilates for Rehabilitation. Recover from injury and optimize function. Champaign, IL. Human Kinetics.