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In a nutshell a Pilates Tower offers a focused workout with emphasis on flexibility and control meanwhile a Pilates Reformer offers a more dynamic, full body workout. Both provide unique benefits for improving core strength, flexibility, balance and overall fitness, so the best option will depend on your goals.
What is a Pilates Tower?
The pilates tower, also referred to as the half cadillac or the wall unit, is a fixed vertical frame attached to the end of a mat. The tower uses a variety of attachments like springs, a push-through bar and a roll-down bar. These attachments provide resistance and support for a wide variety of exercises.
The pilates tower is a progression of the original cadillac trapeze table designed by Joseph Pilates. Almost all of the cadillac trapeze table exercises can also be performed on the half cadillac.
It is important to note that there are variations of the pilates tower that are connected to the end of a reformer. These are referred to as the “pilates reformer with tower”. They combine functionalities of both machines.
Benefits of Tower Pilates
One of the main benefits of the Pilates Tower is its ability to use gravity to help with deep stretching, allowing for a greater range of motion that you may not get in comparison from a reformer or mat workouts.
The tower is also very effective at improving spinal mobility and targeting specific muscle groups. For example an exercise such as the kneeling cat uses the push through bar to help mobilise the spine through flexion and extension.
Stability is also another great feature of the half cadillac. Its fixed nature means its great for beginners who may be intimidated by a moving carriage on a reformer.
What is a Pilates Reformer?
A pilates reformer consists of a flat padded platform (called the carriage) that moves back and forth along tracks. The carriage is connected to a series of springs, which provide adjustable resistance levels. At the end of the bed like frame there is a footbar which is used for a number of movements.
Benefits of Reformer Pilates
The pilates reformer boasts a wide range of benefits. The tower and the reformer share many benefits, so here are a few that are more exclusive to the reformer:
- The pilates reformer engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously making it a brilliant full body workout.
- The smooth carriage glide allows for a variety of dynamic stretching movements making the pilates reformer very effective at improving flexibility.
- Greater variety of exercises - with the reformer’s ability to combine springs, pulleys, and the moving carriage, it can offer a broader range of exercises. The carriage also facilitates smoother transitions between movements creating a continuous, flowing workout.
Comparison of Exercise Variety
Although many of the same exercises can be performed on both the reformer and the tower, there is still a slight difference between the repertoire of exercises that can be done on each machine.
The pilates tower, with its vertical frame, has a heavy focus on stability and precision. The stable platform makes seated and standing exercises more accessible. Many of the movements are progressions of matwork exercises that incorporate the springs to increase the difficulty and stretch.
In contrast the exercises on the pilates reformer are often more dynamic. The moving carriage helps to challenge balance and coordination. Movements such as lunges engage multiple muscles simultaneously and incorporate additional angles of movement that the tower cannot offer.
Challenging Flexibility and Strength
The wall unit challenges flexibility and strength by incorporating exercises that leverage springs and gravity for resistance. The tower offers a broader range of motion compared to the reformer. Exercises often incorporate gravity more intensively, especially when using the push through bar attachment. This allows for deep stretches which improve flexibility.
The springs on the tower are also easily adjusted which means you can gradually increase the resistance which creates a constant challenge helping to improve strength
Difference in Exercise Intensity or Difficulty
Both the tower and the reformer are suitable for practitioners looking for an intense and difficult workout. One is not more difficult than the other.
Compared to the reformer, the tower has springs in the bars and handles that are used to challenge the upper and lower body with varying levels of resistance. The intensity on the tower often comes from maintaining stability and performing slow, deliberate movements. On the other hand the intensity on the reformer often comes from more dynamic movements which test cardiovascular endurance and core stability.
Suitability for Beginners
Both the pilates tower and reformer are suitable for beginners, however the tower has a more targeted exercise approach, while the reformer has a more full body exercise approach.
Which is Most Effective for Weight Loss?
Both the pilates reformer and tower are effective in muscle toning and strengthening, which can contribute to long term weight loss through improved metabolism and lean muscle mass. However when it comes to more immediate calorie burning and weight loss, the reformer is superior due to its potential for higher aerobic intensity. Reformer exercises such as those that use the jumpboard are examples of how you can improve your cardiovascular fitness using the reformer.
What are the Space Requirements?
Pilates Tower
The pilates tower requires less floor space since it is a stationary, vertical piece of equipment. It is often mounted to a wall or comes as a freestanding unit.
If space-saving is a concern there are foldable towers allowing you to clear space when it's not needed.
Pilates Reformer
The pilates reformer takes up more space horizontally due to its long gliding carriage. Having said that, there are many compact reformers on the market if you are looking to save space. Compact reformers often come with wheels for transportation and can be stored vertically if required. This can be done by removing the free standing legs. There are also foldable reformers on the market.
If space is not a problem you could even opt for the pilates reformer with a tower. This machine is a wonderful way to get the best of both worlds.
Which is Better: Pilates Tower vs Reformer?
When deciding between the pilates tower vs reformer, it’s important to recognize that both offer equal significance in all aspects of Pilates performance. Each piece of equipment provides unique benefits for improving core strength, flexibility, balance and overall fitness.
Ultimately, the best option between choosing a tower or reformer depends on your fitness goals and your pilates journey. If you’re looking for a more dynamic, full body workout than the reformer is the better option. Whereas if you are looking for a more focused, precise workout with emphasis on flexibility and control then the tower is for you.
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