Buyers Guide

Buying a good piece of Pilates apparatus is a rewarding and potentially life-changing experience. So, look over these tips and happy hunting!

Know Exactly what you want

Pilates professionals, this is easier for you than for the non-professional practitioner. You will likely want equipment of the same brand, or similar to, the equipment you used in your training program or equipment to match what you already have.

Pilates practitioners, you've trained for several months, and now you want some equipment of your own. Congratulations! You will definitely bring your Pilates experience to new heights, but choosing the right equipment can be bewildering.

In general, you should stick with the brand of equipment you have been learning on. There are four major Pilates equipment manufacturing companies: Gratz, Peak, Balanced Body, and STOTT Pilates. Of the four, Gratz builds the most historically authentic, classical equipment, while STOTT Pilates seems to be the leader in contemporary innovations, while the other two companies stand somewhere between. There are also some good smaller companies that build authentic equipment, such as Tirado Pilates Apparatus and Pilates by Basil.

Decide for yourself if your practice of Pilates is "classical" or "contemporary," and then restrict your buying choices to sellers who offer the appropriate brand. It is not a good idea to build a collection of mis-matched pieces, some classical and some contemporary.

Resist the temptation to purchase a piece for no other reason than it is cheap! Sellers want the most they can get, so there is a reason for a cheap price. Your Pilates practice deserves top-notch equipment. If money is a barrier, I would advise getting a top-of-the-line Spine Corrector or Ladder Barrel than a cheap, no-name Reformer. You'll save a lot of money and have a more rewarding training experience.

Buy locally if possible

The Pilates Connections Community Shopper is location driven, making it easy for you to drill down to the locations nearest to where you live. Shop the locations within an easy drive first (if there are any). That way, you can try the apparatus before you buy. Just make sure you bring a vehicle appropriate for carrying the equipment you hope to buy! A standard half-ton pickup truck will easilly accomodate up to two Reformers, or even a Reformer and a Cadillac (disassembled, of course).

Bring plenty of material for padding (blankets and such) to protect your equipment enroute. Also, remember bungee cords for tying your equipment down. If you do not know how to re-assemble your equipment, contact the original manufacturer and ask for assembly directions.

If, however, the only source for the exact piece of equipment you want is beyond what you are willing to drive, then you will need to have it shipped. Contact the seller and give him your zip code so he can have a freight quote prepared. Most individuals will need to have the equipment professionally packed, so make sure you get this price up front, too. Packing and shipping is very expensive, but no more so than if you were to purchase a new piece from a manufacurer. It's a "necessary evil." Have it shipped if necessary, but buy locally if you can.