PILATES & REHAB
Reformer & Co.
The Pilates Apparatus
More than just the Reformer
When people think of Pilates, they often picture a mat or the increasingly popular Reformer. But there is so much more to discover.
Joseph Pilates developed an entire family of apparatus, each with its own possibilities, yet designed to complement one another. From springs and pulleys to curved surfaces and moving platforms, these ingenious inventions offer an extraordinary variety of ways to move, strengthen and challenge the body.
At fit&fab, this versatility is at the heart of personal training. You might spend an entire session on the Reformer, or explore several different apparatus within the same hour. It all depends on what your body needs — and what you'd like to achieve.
The story behind the springs
The origins of Pilates apparatus are as fascinating as the equipment itself.
During World War I, Joseph Pilates was interned in Britain as a German national. According to a widely told account, he experimented with springs attached to hospital beds, enabling bedridden patients to exercise against resistance while remaining supported.
Whether every detail of that story is historically accurate remains uncertain, but the idea beautifully illustrates a principle that continues to define Pilates apparatus: springs can make movement both more accessible and more challenging.
In the following decades, Pilates developed increasingly sophisticated equipment, including the Universal Reformer, which he patented in 1927.
What began as a creative exploration of movement, resistance and support evolved into an entire system of interconnected apparatus — still remarkably relevant today.
EXPLORE THE APPARATUS
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The Reformer
The Reformer is probably the best-known Pilates apparatus. A padded carriage moves along rails against adjustable spring resistance, while straps, pulleys and a footbar allow exercises in countless positions — lying, sitting, kneeling or standing.
What makes the Reformer so remarkable is its adaptability. Springs can provide assistance or resistance, allowing exercises to range from gentle, carefully controlled movements to demanding full-body workouts.
At fit&fab, private Reformer Pilates can be a complete session in itself or part of a broader training programme. Every exercise is selected and adapted to your individual needs.
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Reformer with Konnector®
The Konnector® takes Reformer training a step further.
Unlike the traditional Reformer rope system, Konnector uses one continuous rope connected to four straps, allowing both arms and legs to move independently while remaining functionally connected.
This creates fascinating possibilities for coordination, balance, asymmetry awareness and whole-body integration. A movement in one limb influences the demands placed on the others, inviting the body to organise itself in new ways.
It's an especially interesting tool for exploring movement patterns, challenging stability and developing body awareness.
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Cadillac / Trapeze Table
With its elevated frame, adjustable springs, bars and hanging straps, the Cadillac offers an extraordinary range of movement possibilities.
Unlike the Reformer, its padded table remains stationary, providing a stable surface for exercises. Springs can be attached at different heights and angles, creating opportunities to assist movement, provide resistance or explore positions that might otherwise be difficult to achieve.
From gentle, supported exercises to challenging strength and mobility work, the Cadillac is exceptionally versatile — particularly when movement needs to be adapted with care and precision.
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Pilates Chair
Don't be fooled by its size.
The Pilates Chair combines a compact platform with one or more spring-loaded pedals, creating possibilities for strength, balance, coordination and control.
Exercises can be performed sitting, standing, lying or with the hands supported on the apparatus. The smaller support surface can make familiar movements surprisingly challenging, while the springs also allow exercises to be adapted.
It's a wonderfully versatile piece of equipment for developing functional strength and whole-body stability.
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Ladder Barrel
The Ladder Barrel combines a curved, padded barrel with a wooden ladder, offering support and leverage for a wide variety of exercises.
Its distinctive shape makes it particularly useful for exploring spinal mobility, extension, side bending and rotation. The curved surface supports the body while encouraging movement through different ranges and directions.
From opening the chest and improving mobility to challenging abdominal strength and control, the Ladder Barrel invites the body to move beyond the familiar.
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Spine Corrector
The Spine Corrector is a smaller, curved apparatus designed to support and challenge movement through the spine, pelvis and hips.
Its gentle contours allow exercises for spinal articulation, extension, lateral flexion and rotation, while also offering opportunities to strengthen the abdominal muscles and explore better movement control.
Despite its compact size, the Spine Corrector is remarkably versatile — whether used for supported mobility work or more demanding strength exercises.
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Ped-o-Pull
Simple in appearance, the Ped-o-Pull presents an entirely different kind of challenge.
It consists of an upright pole with spring-loaded handles and a small standing platform. Because the exercises are performed in an upright position, the body must continuously organise itself against gravity while responding to the resistance of the springs.
The Ped-o-Pull invites awareness of posture, balance, coordination and whole-body stability. Small movements can become surprisingly demanding, making it an interesting complement to the larger apparatus.
Your body. Your session.
The beauty of Pilates apparatus lies not in any single machine, but in the possibilities they create together.
At fit&fab, every session is designed around you. Whether your goal is to build strength, improve mobility, return to movement after an injury or simply enjoy an intelligent, challenging workout, the apparatus can be adapted to meet you where you are.
One studio. Many possibilities. An approach that's entirely personal.
Discover private Pilates Personal Training and Reformer Duett sessions at fit&fab in Thalwil, on Zurich's Silver Coast.
