Q: How do you know when Pilates apparatus needs servicing or repair?
Mikael Salazar, aka "The Pilates Guy," responds:
If you are the owner of finely crafted Pilates apparatus, you've made an investment in good health that can last a lifetime. To make the most of your workouts, there are three types of equipment maintenance you'll want to perform: scheduled, immediate and everyday.
Scheduled maintenance is a must for every equipment owner. A busy studio may perform preventative checks once a week (why not jot it in the studio schedule book?), whereas a home user may decide on once every few months. A routine check needn't take long, and includes general cleaning and inspecting the moving parts for wear or damage. This is a great time to learn about your apparatus up close, spending time to touch, inspect, dust and polish the working parts.
Immediate maintenance is required when you sense something on the apparatus has changed. A new sound, a bump in the tracking or an unevenness in the ropes or straps are indications that you should pause your workout. Hopefully, the fix will be quick and simple, like brushing a foreign object from the track.
The most crucial time for immediate maintenance is right after a crash, particularly of the Reformer carriage or Wunda Chair pedal. After ensuring that all parties are OK, take a moment to verify that the apparatus has survived unscathed. Sudden recoils of the springs can result in damage. To perform a spring check, gently pull on one end of the spring; the weakest coils will open first. If you see severe irregularities or gaps, it's time to replace the spring.
Everyday maintenance includes how you interact with and care for your apparatus while using it. Before launching into exercise, take a moment to look over the equipment set-up. During your session, think of "safety first" every time you change the configuration. When you're finished working out, restore the apparatus to a neutral, "home" position.
By performing these different types of maintenance, you'll come to know your apparatus better; as your familiarity grows, so will your ability to sense when it requires a bit of extra attention.
Mikael Salazar offers Pilates equipment sales, maintenance, repairs and more in Southern California and through his website, thepilatesguy.com.
For answers to questions related to pregnancy and gender specific Pilates, check out the November/December issue of Pilates Style magazine.
