Pilates equipment is designed to help your reach your highest potential in body, mind, and spirit.

You may know the matwork, you may know the reformer, but did you know there are actually 19 pieces of Pilates equipment including the toe gizmo pictured above?

While the biggest piece is the Pilates Reformer, originally dubbed the “Universal Reformer,” all the Pilates tools are designed to bring your body into balance.

Along with the Reformer, the larger pieces of Pilates equipment include the Pilates chair, barrel, tower and Cadillac. Most Pilates studios will have all these pieces where you can do similar exercises and challenge your body in different ways.

The smaller equipment includes magic circles, resistance bands, and small weights. The idea for the magic circle is said to have come from the rings around a beer barrel which Joe adopted for his exercise system. These smaller pieces of equipment mimic the sensation you find on the Reformer.

While many people think yoga and Pilates are similar, they have a number of important differences. Yoga is based on a spiritual practice that brings your mind into balance and is meant to stretch your body. Pilates, on the other hand, is a physical practice built around core strength that brings your muscles and then your mind into balance.

Pilates and yoga share the goal of helping you reach your highest potential.