When people think of Pilates equipment, the Reformer usually gets the spotlight—but there’s another powerhouse tool we love at Archer Pilates: the Pilates Chair. Don’t let its compact size fool you—this unassuming piece of equipment is incredibly effective for building strength, balance, and control.

In this post, we’ll break down what the Pilates Chair is, how it’s used, and why it’s one of our favorite tools for helping clients move better, feel stronger, and challenge their bodies in new and exciting ways.

What Is a Pilates Chair?

Originally designed by Joseph Pilates, the Pilates Chair—also known as the Wunda Chair—was created to be the first piece of Pilates equipment made for home use. The idea? A compact, multi-functional tool that could double as an actual piece of furniture when not in use.

The Chair features a sturdy, box-like seat with a spring-loaded pedal, which can either move as one unit or be split into two separate pedals. Springs provide adjustable resistance, making it ideal for a variety of strength, stability, and mobility exercises.

At Archer Pilates, we use the Chair in both private sessions and advanced group classes to help clients deepen their practice and target muscles in unique ways.

Why We Use the Pilates Chair at Archer Pilates

The Pilates Chair may look simple, but it’s one of the most challenging and versatile pieces of equipment in our studio. Here’s why we love it:

1. Builds Serious Strength in a Small Space
The Chair requires you to support your own body weight more than other Pilates apparatuses. This makes it especially effective for building lower-body strength, upper-body control, and full-body coordination. Think of it as Pilates’ version of strength training—with a deep core focus.

2. Enhances Core Control
Every movement on the Chair engages your core stabilizers, even in standing and arm-focused exercises. The small surface area and spring resistance demand that your entire body stay connected and controlled.

3. Challenges Balance & Stability
Because of its compact design, Chair work often places you in standing or upright seated positions, which challenge balance, proprioception, and alignment. It’s amazing for athletes, dancers, and anyone working on postural strength or injury prevention.

4. Improves Functional Fitness
Many Chair exercises mimic real-life movement patterns, such as climbing stairs, pushing, or lunging. It helps improve mobility, joint stability, and movement efficiency—making it a great tool for functional training.

5. Great for All Levels
From rehab to advanced conditioning, the Pilates Chair can be adapted to meet your goals. At Archer Pilates, we customize Chair workouts for each client—whether you’re recovering from an injury, training for a sport, or just looking to mix up your Pilates routine.

What Kind of Exercises Can You Do on the Pilates Chair?

At Archer Pilates, we use the Chair to target the whole body, with exercises like:

• Standing Leg Presses for glutes and hamstrings

• Tricep Presses and Chest Lifts for upper body strength

• Pike Variations for core and shoulder stabilization

• Single-Leg Lunges and Step-Ups to build balance and control

• Seated Footwork for gentle leg strengthening and rehab work

Whether you’re seated, standing, or balancing on top of it (yes, that’s a thing!), the Chair adds new dimensions to your movement practice.

Experience the Pilates Chair at Archer Pilates

Looking to challenge your core, improve your balance, and deepen your Pilates practice? The Pilates Chair is a perfect addition to your routine. At Archer Pilates, our instructors will guide you through safe, effective, and customized Chair workouts that meet your needs—no matter your fitness level.