As far as fitness systems go, Pilates is in a league all its own. So it seems fitting that Pilates comes with a unique encyclopedia of terms for its highly specialized equipment and the 500+ movements that make up the classical Pilates method. Some of these terms are real head-scratchers — some make us laugh every time! Here we demystify a few choice items from the Pilates lexicon.
Cadillac – When you walk into a Pilates studio, the first thing you’re likely to notice is the Cadillac. The Cadillac can dominate a studio space, resembling the frame of a very tall four-poster canopy bed, decked out with long springs, fuzzy slings, push-through bars, and even a trapeze! Pilates may have dubbed it the “Cadillac” to invite associations of luxury and comfort, since it can appear downright medieval to new trainees. In the Cadillac we can clearly recognize where Pilates initially developed his revolutionary fitness method: in the British internment camps of WWI, where he rigged his fellow German nationals’ hospital beds with springs, so even the most sickly and injured could exercise and regain their health.
Reformer – The centerpiece of a classical Pilates studio, the Reformer was also developed and designed by Joseph Pilates. Many reformer exercises are performed lying on the back, which eases any strain on the joints and allows students to practice aligning the body, free from the influence of gravity. Joe originally called it the “Universal Reformer” for its purpose of “universally reforming” the physique. Think about that for a second: Joe built this long, low couch, with its sliding carriage, adjustable bar, and 100+ moves, to give you an entirely new-and-improved body. No wonder it’s so popular!
Electric Chair – Like the Cadillac, the Electric Chair can look intimidating. It has a high back, a pair of shoulder-height handles, and a moveable foot bar outfitted with heavy springs. It’s not supposed to make you feel like you’re going to meet your maker; in fact, its purpose is quite therapeutic. The high back supports the spine during seated exercises, and you become the source of “electricity” as you focus energy in your powerhouse and shoot it out through your legs.
Teaser – Once you execute your first teaser, you fully understand how this move got its odd name. Your upper and lower halves resist their full weight as you lever your body into a “V,” balancing on your sit-bones, your powerhouse firing to the max. It happens fast, but internally it feels like you might not make it. You hit a breakthrough moment where the brain insists, “There’s no way!” — and suddenly, you’re there. We have a class tradition of breaking into applause when a student executes his or her first teaser. Believe us, it’s wholly deserved!
Stomach Massage – A series performed while seated on the reformer, the Stomach Massage series isn’t so much about massaging the belly. If only, right? It’s actually named for the massage that the abdominal core and pelvic floor muscles perform on your internal organs. While the active motion is in the legs as they press against the foot bar, we coach students to feel energy originating and radiating from the core, causing the legs to flex and bend, resisting against the springs of the reformer at all times.
The Pilates menagerie – Sometimes the Pilates studio becomes a real zoo! There’s the Elephant, its heels pressing into the reformer so hard the toes lift off the pad, head hanging heavy like a trunk. There’s the Monkey dangling off the bar. There’s the Snake and its strong, supple, twisting spine. There’s the ever-amusing Seal with clapping feet! We have a lot of fun with these critters at Dynamic Fitness.
What are some of your favorite Pilates words? Ever wonder how your favorite exercise got its name? Message us or find us on Facebook with your comments and questions!
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