On the Tower, you have the benefits of some of the elements from the Cadillac and Reformer but the use of the Mat. The Tower classes are a bit more strength focused. The main purpose of many of the exercises taught in a Tower class is to build strength and muscular endurance. The Tower Classes are a combination of the Mat Class Movements coupled with the “Tower Apparatus.”  In Pilates you learn the movement and flow from the Pilates Mat Exercises and then take those key movements to the apparatus. Transitioning to an apparatus helps with specific areas and helps really feel how Pilates uses your core.

Tower classes at MindBody Physical Therapy and Wellness At MindBodyPT we use the tower class as an elevated Mat Class. The Tower Class helps you “feel” some of the core movements you have from your fundamentals or Mat work. A difference too is that the “flow” that you get from Mat Class is not as smooth as on the Tower you have to take time to adjust the springs.

Isolation: Not really in the sense of by yourself! Rather the tower helps isolate certain muscles. A majority of exercises focus on one area of the body at a time. This makes it easier for you along with your instructor to isolate certain muscle groups.

Flow. While Joseph Pilates (and students of Authentic Pilates!) use a certain set, classical order for movements within Mat Classes and other apparatus, the Tower is a little different.  There’s no set order.  This allows beginner students and Tower newbies to quickly adapt to the movements as guided by an instructor.  Participants work on controlling their movements to gain the maximum from the apparatus work. Also, there are unique breaks/pauses with the tower as you change the spring settings. And, the added benefit of no set order is that you can simply learn and practice vs. trying to keep up with a set routine.

Advancement. The great thing about the Tower is that advancement with a piece of apparatus is a bit easier than, let’s say, the Cadillac. After a few classes, you’ll be familiar with the movements and the flow of the class.  Plus the tower helps you reinforce some of the basics of Pilates and improve your basic movements.

Stretch. What can we say but that we believe the stretch you gain from the Tower is one of the best. The Tower exercise assigns a focus to opening the hips and lengthening the spine. That’s right, you can lengthen the spine – after all those hours of sitting – the class might be a good choice for you. You have stretching, lengthening and taking deep breaths. You will walk out feeling lighter and taller.

Core. Yep. The Core is still the central focus but the Tower Apparatus uses springs as your extra resistance. The spring work, like the reformer, helps to shape and chisel select parts of your body – particularly your abs.  And like almost all Pilates core work, your focus is on the deepest layer of the abdominal wall, the transvers abdominis. Healthy stomach, healthy spine, healthy posture.

Needless to say, we’re super hyped about our Tower Classes. Three days a week provides an opportunity to augment private lessons or mat classes. The Tower Classes are limited to three students so you get a personalized approach to the work.