How to Build Your Own Pilates Chair

Pilates is a series of workouts and exercises designed to strengthen an individual's core muscles while increasing range of motion and balance. A Pilates chair is one piece of equipment that focuses on the core stomach muscles. Buying Pilates equipment can be expensive, but some pieces, such as a Pilates chair, can be replicated and built at home.

Things You'll Need

• Wood
• Wood glue
• Aluminum tubing
• Bolts
• Saw
• Drill
• Screws
• Wrenches
• Screwdrivers
• Metal clips
• Stainless steel springs
• Foam pad
• Vinyl cover
• Staple gun
• Wood sealer and stain

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Instructions

• 1

  Cut the wood that will be used to form the top, sides, back and base of the Pilates chair. Drill holes into the top ends of the wood that will be used for the sides of the chair. Apply wood glue to the edges of the wood before assembling the body of the chair.

• 2

  Use screws to secure the structure of the Pilates chair. Strengthen the chair by installing brackets along all of the corners inside the chair.

• 3

  Cut a piece of plywood and two pieces of aluminum tubing that will serve as the chair's footrest. Attach the step to the aluminum support arms using screws. Complete the footrest by attaching the support arms to the Pilates chair using bolts.

• 4

  Attach the metal clips and springs to the underside of the footrest. The springs under the footrest provide resistance during Pilates exercises.

• 5

  Apply stain to the chair to give the wood a rich finish. Once the stain has dried, apply a layer of clear sealer to protect the wood. Cut a piece of square foam and a slightly larger piece of vinyl to make the chair cushion. Attach the cushion to the Pilates seat using a staple gun.