The Barrel: for a well-ROUNDED Pilates practice
No springs… and they don’t even move! So why do we love the Pilates Barrels?
The Barrel is a fantastic tool that’s typically layered into your workout to help round out your Pilates Practice, but the truth is you can even get a great isolated workout with the Barrel alone, similar to the Wunda Chair!
Raise your hand if you sit at a desk for most of your work day? …most of us do! Do you lean over your computer a lot? How often do you intentionally take the weight out of your spine while focusing on your job? All of this can really affect your posture and the curves of your spine over time, resulting in pain and stiffness in other areas of your body as well.
What makes Pilates unique as an exercise method is the attention to the movements of your spine. The Barrels in Pilates teach you how to correct your posture and find strength and flexibility to take that posture into your everyday life. The round shape of the Barrels can be both helpful/supportive and also function to challenge you with the opportunity to do the same exercises you do on other equipment in a new way.
When we say “the Barrel” most of the time we mean the Ladder Barrel, but there are technically three Barrels in Pilates, and they work in tandem and separately: The Small Barrel, Spine Corrector and the Ladder Barrel. Each one prepares you for the challenge of the next. Start with the Small Barrel to begin the process of creating more flexibility and strength through your spine in a specific way. This one is closest to the ground and has the smallest arch so you add gentle stretch and challenge.
The Spine Corrector has a larger arch and a slanted step.
Graduate from the Small Barrel to the Spine Corrector for a more intense challenge, or to use more support.
You can sit in the step of the Spine Corrector to support your back and deepen the strength and flexibility of your C curve. You can also sit in front of the barrel end of the Spine Corrector and stretch your back over the barrel to get more opening in your chest. You can also use this to work on flexibility in your lower body. For example, try practicing Front Splits from the Advanced Reformer to get a deeper, more controlled stretch.
Once you’ve built up your flexibility fully supported on the ground with the Small Barrel and Spine Corrector, move to the Ladder Barrel to find an even deeper stretch, and continue building that mind-body connection. The Ballet Stretches on the Ladder Barrel are a great way to stretch while paying attention to the alignment of your hips. With your back against the ladder and one leg on the Barrel you’ll get the feedback you need / feel if your hips are twisting during the stretch.
Here are a few other examples of how to use the Barrel:
Sit on the Ladder Barrel to do the Short Box from the Reformer. Instead of sitting on a flat box, you’ll sit slightly in front of the apex of the barrel or on top and get more support for your lower back. This can be helpful if you have trouble finding flexibility through your lower back in this exercise.
Refine your Horseback exercise from the Advanced Reformer. The shape of the barrel more closely resembles a horse than the box… without the edges of the Long Box pressing into your thighs it’s easier to find the right position of your pelvis / the stability to lift your hips. And the stationary Barrel gives you better stability, which is helpful when learning to understand and when more advanced to challenge yourself.
Pilates is unique, not just because of the equipment, but how the equipment can be used differently to support your body. It’s important to move your body in all directions to keep your spine healthy, and the well-rounded surface of the Barrel creates a safe environment to practice extension and side bending—so important for building mobility, flexibility, and strength in the spine.
At Pilates on 10th we have a fully equipped studio with all the equipment you need for a balanced Pilates practice! If you want to gain more practice, ask your instructor during your next Private session to show you the most effective way for YOU to use the Barrels to help balance your practice and reach your goals.