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woman doing pilates on a pilates chair

What is a Pilates chair going to do for your studio? It’s a great space-saving, multipurpose piece of equipment that offers your clients 75 different varieties of possible exercises. If you are thinking about upgrading your Pilates studio or investing in some new Pilates chairs, we’ve compiled an exhaustive list of the best Pilates chairs for you. 

Here are the 6 best options with the down-low on each one. The good and the bad. The best bang for buck options and some that’d just make your clients fall in love with.

Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair with Handles

Life’s A Beach Pilates PRO Chair

Balanced Body EXO Chair

Balanced Body Wunda Chair

ProForm Pilates Studio Chair

Elina Pilates Combo Chair

Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair with Handles 

The Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair with handles is versatile in training specific muscle groups. This Pilates stability chair allows you the freedom of working out in a sitting or standing position, widening the scope of muscles you are able to target. If you have clients doing Pilates for injury rehabilitation, then this is a good option for you. It also supports vigorous workouts because of its enhanced stability.

Merrithew Split offers different spring options — two heavy springs and two light springs that are highly adjustable.  This flexibility means that it can meet the demand for both light and challenging workouts. 

You can lock the adjustable handles for further stability and they can be removed when needed. This Pilates combo chair allows you to do dips, lunges, and more. The padded pedals offer extra cushioning to help correct ankle weaknesses. With so many attractive features, this is hands down one of the best Pilates exercise chairs. 

 Pros: 

  • It can be easily moved around because it has integrated wheels.
  • Allows split pedal and single-mode.
  • High-density foam padding provides cushioning to sensitive feet.
  • Offers better stability since it uses a double steel frame.
  • Comes with a DVD course that has over 3 hours of basic to mid-range instructor-level exercises. 

Cons:

  • The steel frame makes the chair relatively heavy.
  • You may need some help with assembling as it can get tricky.
  • The chair may slide a little but this can be prevented with a gripper mat.

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Life’s A Beach Pilates PRO Chair

Life’s A Beach Pilates PRO Chair is the best budget option for your Pilates studio. If you have clients who are new to Pilates and need to strengthen their core and improve balance then this Pilates chair is perfect to get them started. 

This Pilates exercise chair may not be as sturdy as other high-end options but it can still support about 300lbs of weight. 

The Life’s A Beach Pilates PRO Chair features a split-pedal system to allow your clients to work out their legs and arms separately. They can also adjust resistance levels through the spring system. The sculpting handles that act as resistance bands help you to stabilize yourself when doing exercises. 

Pros:

  • It comes with sculpting handles.
  • It supports whole-body workouts.
  • The chair is easy to fold and store in smaller spaces.
  • Comes with 6 DVDs with fun workouts and exercises.

Cons:

  • It only two resistance levels which may limit the exercise routine.
  • Rubber handles may not last long.

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Balanced Body EXO Chair

Balanced Body Exo Single Pedal Pilates Chair

Designed by Joseph Pilates, The Balanced Body EXO Chair is a lightweight and compact option for your studio. Weighing only 36lbs with a width of 23.5 inches, this chair is great for small spaces. You can easily move it around the studio when you need to. 

The pilates exercise chair comes in both single-pedal and split-pedal versions. We recommend ordering the split-pedal EXO chair since it opens up so many exercise possibilities. Your clients will only need to pull out the wooden dowel connecting the two pedals to allow them to move independently. Don’t forget to give your clients a demo though. 

Another great thing about the Balanced Body EXO Chair is that a variety of accessories are also available for it. You can order resistance band add-ons for pull and push exercises or upgrade your chair with heavier springs. Its 2 adjustable springs with 8 resistance levels allow you fluidity and body control.

Overall, it delivers a full-body workout and is a great option for your Pilates studio.

Pros

  • 8 resistance levels offer a ton of variety and let you control how you workout.
  • Its compact and lightweight design make it great for limited studio spaces.
  • The split-pedal system allows cardio, sculpting, core workouts, and more.
  • It comes with a 5-year warranty. 

Cons

  •  There are no handles so it might not be suitable for the beginners in your Pilates class.

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Balanced Body Wunda Chair

The OG of Pilates chairs. When it comes to sturdy, versatile, and comfortable Pilates chairs, nothing beats the Balanced Body Wunda Chair which is based on Joseph Pilates’ original design and dimensions. 

The Wunda Chair is expandable and even doubles as a regular chair. It features 2 springs with 4 resistance levels for each one, making it the single-pedal chair with the widest range of resistance. The best part is that as your client progresses through the program, you can keep upgrading your basic Wunda chair with optional handles, pedal stopper, high back, and added cushions. 

Pros

  • This chair boasts sturdy hardwood and comfortable padding.
  • It comes with a 10-year warranty.
  • It features a modular design that you can upgrade and customize according to your client’s abilities.
  • It comes with access to free workout videos on Balanced Body’s video streaming platform. 

Cons 

  • Single-pedal might feel limiting to some of your clients.

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ProForm Pilates Studio Chair

proform

ProForm Pilates Studio Chair is an excellent budget option and one of the best Pilates chairs for your studios. It’s perfect for beginners and offers a variety of workout options for arms, legs, thighs, and core. 

ProForm Pilates Studio Chair has a weight capacity of 250 pounds. It has a split-pedal system that works your legs or arms independently and a space-saving design to fit even in a small studio space. If your client wants to spice up their workout, it also comes with two adjustable resistance bands or hand cords that can be attached to any two of the 8 hooks on the chair. A beginner can start by attaching the hand cords to the upper hooks and as they get stronger, they can increase the resistance by attaching the hand cords to the lower hooks. 

Pros

  • It has comfortable padding and generous room for doing different exercises.
  • The four feet of the chair offer stability. 
  • It comes with 2 hand cords.
  • Includes DVD with multiple professional workouts.

Cons

  • It comes with a very limited warranty of only 90 days but it’s still great for the price.

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Elina Pilates Combo Chair

Elina Combo Chair

Elina Pilates Combo Chair is a sturdy and versatile option for your Pilates studio that will last you many, many years. Thanks to the stainless steel metal build and quality wood frame. It comes with removable handles that can be adjustable to your client’s desired length. You can use it both as a single-pedal or a split-pedal chair. Simple separate the pedals using a locking slider underneath them. 

Each spring can be adjusted to 4 different positions and 2 spring strengths offer different levels of resistance. The handles of the chair are also covered with rubber foam to ensure extra comfort. The chair also has wheels so you easily move it around your studio. 

Pros

  • It offers the versatility of the single and split pedal.
  • Wheels make it a breeze to move.
  • Comfortable non-slide seat with leather. 

Cons

  • It might be pretty heavy on the pocket.

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Peak Pilates Single Pedal Low Chair (with handles)

Tailored for both beginners and seasoned practitioners, Peak Pilates Single Pedal Low Chair brings an added dimension to Pilates workouts. Widely regarded for its adaptability and versatility, this chair has carved a niche for itself in the Pilates community. The handles and the bracket allow for a variety of high chair routines while also offering safety for low chair exercises. 

Made with studio spaces in mind, its compact design makes it a fit for both large and small studios. Its ergonomic design supports optimal body alignment and posture during exercises.

Perfect for group classes or personal training sessions, this chair ensures consistent resistance throughout various exercises with its single pedal. While the platform offers stability and durability, the springs have varying levels of resistance to cater to different exercise requirements and individual abilities.

Pros:

  • It has a space-efficient design. 
  • Adjustable resistance makes it incredibly versatile. 
  • The single pedal ensures consistency during training sessions.

Cons:

  • The premium price might not be affordable for budget-conscious buyers.
  • While it offers consistency, the single pedal limits the variety of exercises.
  • Beginners may need some time and guidance to get the most out of the chair.

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Peak Pilates MVe® Fitness Chair (Split Pedal)

The MVe® Fitness Chair by Peak Pilates represents a blend of innovation, design precision, and the legacy of Pilates exercise philosophy. 

The split-pedal mechanism is designed to offer a broader range of exercises, targeting different muscle groups and allowing unilateral movements. Equipped with springs that users can easily modify, it provides varying levels of resistance suitable for different exercise needs and individual fitness levels. For many Pilates practitioners, changing springs on their equipment is not only a hassle but also sometimes ends up disrupting the workout routine. However, the MVe® chair’s easy-change spring system makes customizing your resistance levels a breeze.

Made with aluminum, this chair is wonderfully lightweight, durable, and shows excellent resistance to wear and tear. Despite being lightweight, it perfectly supports a diverse range of body types. It’s sleek and stackable design also complements all studio spaces. 

Pros:

  • Easy-change spring system eliminates the hassle of customizing resistance levels.
  • Sleek, stackable frame saves space.
  • Good for both group and individual training.

Cons:

  • Spring mechanism and pedal hinges require regular maintenance.

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In Summary 

With so many brands on the market, it can be overwhelming when you’re looking for the best Pilates chair for your studio. However, it is an important decision as the performance of your Pilates chairs directly affects the experience of your clients. This means that they must be sturdy, functional, versatile, and comfortable. Chairs made of stainless steel and oak wood are always great options. Here is a quick recap of some of the best pilates chairs for your pilates studio.

  • Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair with Handles
  • Life’s A Beach Pilates PRO Chair 
  • Balanced Body EXO Chair (Split-pedal chair, Single-pedal chair)
  • Balanced Body Wunda Chair
  • ProForm Pilates Studio Chair
  • Elina Pilates Combo Chair 
  • Peak Pilates MVe® Fitness Chair (Split Pedal)
  • Peak Pilates Single Pedal Low Chair (with handles)
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