Springboard: Give yourself a lift!

Pilates equipment was originally designed from everyday items. With advances in our understanding of physiology and innovation in equipment, new tools are constantly entering the well-stocked Pilates studio. At Studio Blue, we offer the best Pilates equipment available including Reformers, the Cadillac, Pilates Chairs, Springboards and a variety of “props.”

Other articles have discussed the use and benefits of the Reformer and Pilates Chair. This article will take a look at the Springboard. Springboard workshops are offered at Studio Blue in 4 week sessions. These workshops are designed to work the entire body, and are for all clients, no matter the level. Email Joanne at, joanne@studiobluepdx.com or call us at 503.224.5073 to schedule a workshop!

Like the original Pilates Chair, the Springboard was developed to be affordable and to save space. Ellie Herman, Pilates instructor to instructors developed the Springboard in her San Francisco studio, basing her design on The Cadillac.

The Pilates Springboard is a 5-foot rectangular wooden board with eyelets placed on both sides in 6-inch increments with a dowel at the bottom to use for arm or foot support. It is equipped with:

• Two arm springs with neoprene handles
• Two leg springs, with cotton loops
• One wooden roll-back bar

At Studio Blue, springboards cover our mat room walls so we can offer group classes. They make working out more fun, and help build relationships. Many of the same exercises that are done on the Cadillac can be done on the springboard. The springboard is great for Roll Downs, Hip-ups, Levitation, and many more movements that work the entire body, slim the hips and help create a toned, long, lean body.

Like the Pilates Reformer, the Pilates Chair is an original piece of equipment developed by Joseph Pilates. The chair has numerous iterations made by various companies, but the original Pilates chair comes in two basic designs. One, called the “Low” or “wunda” chair, was Joseph Pilate’s invention for home workouts. It is a simple two-sided box with resistance springs below. Originally, it converted from exercise equipment in to a piece of furniture, either a chair or an occasional table, the perfect combination for New York apartments.

Although the “wunda” chair has changed over the years, its effectiveness has remained constant. According to Studio Blue instructor Tami Sousa, the simple looking equipment provides less support than some other pieces of equipment. Not only does this make movements more challenging, it tests prioception, our awareness of the how different parts of the body move and relate to one another. In other words, the chair affects body awareness, and realigns the body mind connection.

The “Wunda” Chair work is ideal for exercises that require more stability, control and proprioception. While everyone gets a great workout from the “Wunda” Chair, it can be especially effective for problems afflicting one side of the body, for example, knee and ankle injuries.

The second Pilates Chair is called the “High” or “Electric” Chair. Unlike the “Wunda” Chair which has no back, the High Chair includes a back support and handles, and looks a bit like a movie version of the electric chair. Its back gives support, and helps guide the knees during standing movements. The handles, used together with the spring-loaded foot pedals, allow the user to increase or decrease the support and resistance as needed. High Chair workouts are effective for those suffering from back, knee, and ankle injuries, or those who have no previous exercise experience

Studio Blue offers a full range of Pilates equipment including the Pilates Chair. In addition, the studio has several reformers, the Pilates Cadillac (or Trapeze Table,) Barrels, Springboards, large and small balls, Magic Circles, resistance bands, weights and a large variety of various paraphernalia.

To schedule a Pilates Chair session, contact Studio Blue at www.studiobluepdx.com

Pilates "etiquette"

A great atmosphere makes Pilates more enjoyable. At Studio Blue, we strive to make your practice comfortable and productive by having proper equipment, excellent instructors, and a clean, peaceful studio. You can do your part to help make Pilates the enjoyable experience for everyone by keeping the following in mind.

• Reserve your class time in advance. Not only will you ensure a class space, you’ll be setting your mind towards regular workouts. Making a reservation means you have scheduled special time for your workout, and sooner than you realize it will become a habit you can’t quit!

• Arrive for class early. We invite you to use the mat room in the minutes before class to get yourself centered, and to stretch those areas you know are tight.

• Turn off the cell phone!

• Talk to your instructor. If you’re new to Studio Blue, our instructors will introduce themselves. But don’t be shy. Before class, make sure to tell your instructor about any injuries, pregnancies, and responses to previous workouts. After class, talk to the instructor if you don’t understand something, what feedback, or further clarification.

• Monitor yourself, and let go of your ego! There’s no prize for hurting yourself, or for overdoing it with Pilates. Some clients believe the goal is to lift the most weight, or to work at the highest level possible. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, our Pilates Fundamentals class can be the most challenging class we offer, depending on what you put into it. Working very slowly, focusing on perfect form, really feeling each movement, can challenge even the most seasoned Pilates instructor—so don’t confuse brawn with mastering Pilates.

• Resist the urge to chat. While classes are fun and build rapport, Pilates is a mind/body integration practice. It requires intense concentration, and distracting chat can disrupt the benefits others get from their work out.

• Don’t eat or drink too much before class. In fact, it’s best to do Pilates on an empty stomach. Besides, it’s pretty difficult to keep the core turned on when all you can think about is the urge to run to the restroom. etiquette