The best Pilates chairs give you a surprisingly complete Pilates workout without taking up the floor space required by a full-size reformer.
That makes the Pilates chair one of the most interesting pieces of equipment for a home studio.
A chair can be used for strength, balance, mobility, core work and controlled resistance exercises. Some models use a single pedal, while others use a split pedal that allows more movement patterns. Some are designed primarily for traditional Pilates work, while others are built to be lighter, more portable or more versatile.
But these machines are not interchangeable.
A Wunda Chair, Combo Chair and EXO Chair can look similar at first glance while offering very different experiences.
So which one should you actually buy?
This guide compares the best Pilates chairs available today, explains the important differences and gives practical buying recommendations for home users, instructors and studios.
What Is a Pilates Chair?
A Pilates chair is a compact piece of Pilates apparatus consisting primarily of a raised seat or platform and a spring-loaded pedal.
Unlike a reformer, there is no carriage moving along rails.
Instead, the user works against spring resistance through the pedal and uses the chair’s platform for seated, standing, kneeling and supported exercises.
The traditional Wunda Chair is based on Joseph Pilates’ original chair design. Modern versions have evolved considerably, with manufacturers adding split pedals, handles, back supports, transport wheels and different resistance systems.
Balanced Body currently offers several chair designs, including the Wunda Chair, Combo Chair, CenterLine Chair, EXO Chair and Pilates Arm Chair.
That variety is why choosing among the best Pilates chairs requires looking beyond the name.
Why Buy a Pilates Chair Instead of a Reformer?
A reformer gives you a moving carriage, ropes and a larger exercise platform.
A chair takes a completely different approach.
The biggest advantage is footprint.
A full-size reformer can occupy roughly eight feet or more of floor length. A Pilates chair can fit into a much smaller area.
That makes chairs particularly attractive for:
• Small home studios
• Apartments
• Personal training rooms
• Studios with limited floor space
• Instructors who need additional apparatus
• Users who want equipment that can be moved when necessary
Balanced Body specifically describes its Pilates chairs as supporting strength, balance, flexibility and core conditioning while requiring much less space than a traditional reformer.
The tradeoff is that chair exercises require a different type of control.
A chair is not simply a smaller reformer.
Best Pilates Chairs at a Glance
| Chair | Best for | Pedal | Main advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wunda Chair | Traditional Pilates | Single | Classic design and compact footprint |
| Combo Chair | Maximum versatility | Split/single | Broad exercise range |
| EXO Chair | Home and portable use | Single or split | Lightweight and compact |
| CenterLine Chair | Traditional studio work | Single | Compact professional setup |
| Pilates Arm Chair | Upper-body and posture work | Specialized | Scapular and upper-body training |
The right choice depends heavily on how you intend to use it.
Best Pilates Chair for Most Buyers: Wunda Chair
The Balanced Body Wunda Chair is the obvious starting point if you want a traditional Pilates chair.
It closely follows the dimensions and design principles of the original Wunda Chair while incorporating a modern spring system.
Balanced Body lists the Wunda Chair at 29 inches long by 21.5 inches wide and 23.75 inches high without handles or the high-back system. It weighs approximately 61 pounds with springs.
It uses a single pedal and two springs, with four resistance positions for each spring.
Balanced Body states that the chair provides up to 83 pounds of resistance and eight resistance settings.
That makes the Wunda particularly appealing for buyers who want traditional chair work rather than a highly modified apparatus.
Buy the Wunda Chair if:
• You want a traditional Pilates experience
• You prefer a single pedal
• You have limited space
• You want a sturdy permanent home setup
• You are building a classical Pilates studio
• You want a chair that can evolve with additional accessories
The Wunda can also be configured with optional handles, cushions and a high-back system.
Balanced Body even designed the Wunda Chair so it can be converted into a small sitting chair with optional cushions.
For someone searching for the best Pilates chairs and wanting the classic answer, the Wunda is difficult to overlook.
Best Pilates Chair for Versatility: Combo Chair
If the Wunda represents traditional chair design, the Balanced Body Combo Chair represents flexibility.
The major difference is the split pedal.
Each pedal can move independently, which opens up exercise possibilities involving reciprocal and rotational movements.
Balanced Body says the Combo Chair can also be converted to single-pedal use. Its four springs provide up to 110 pounds of resistance, and the chair weighs approximately 91 pounds with transport wheels.
The Combo Chair measures approximately 28.5 by 27.5 inches at the base and stands 25.5 inches high without the handles.
Buy the Combo Chair if:
• You want the widest range of chair exercises
• You want split-pedal functionality
• You teach clients with different needs
• You want single-pedal and split-pedal options
• You want transport wheels
• You are building a professional studio
The Combo Chair also matches the height of Balanced Body’s Trapeze Table, allowing the two pieces of equipment to work together as part of a larger apparatus setup.
That makes the Combo particularly interesting for professional studios.
View the Combo Chair at The Reformer Shop
Best Pilates Chair for Small Spaces: EXO Chair
The EXO Chair is particularly interesting for people who want Pilates equipment that can be moved and stored more easily.
Balanced Body describes the EXO as a lightweight, compact chair designed for home use, personal training and group classes.
It weighs approximately 36 pounds and measures 29.5 inches long by 23.5 inches wide at the base. The chair is approximately 24.5 inches high.
That is considerably lighter than the 61-pound Wunda Chair and 91-pound Combo Chair.
The EXO is also stackable.
Buy the EXO Chair if:
• You have limited space
• You need to move the equipment regularly
• You want something easier to store
• You teach mobile or group sessions
• You want a chair for home use
• You want a more portable alternative to traditional studio equipment
The EXO also supports a wide range of exercises and can incorporate optional Slastix resistance systems.
For someone who does not have a dedicated Pilates room, this can be a major advantage.
View the EXO Chair at The Reformer Shop
Best Traditional Compact Studio Chair: CenterLine Chair
The CenterLine Chair is designed for buyers who want a traditional chair experience in a relatively compact format.
Balanced Body describes it as a comfortable, durable chair with a small single-pedal footprint.
It is a particularly sensible choice for a studio where multiple pieces of apparatus are already competing for floor space.
Buy the CenterLine Chair if:
• You prefer single-pedal chair work
• You want a compact studio apparatus
• You teach traditional Pilates
• You need equipment that fits alongside reformers and other apparatus
• You want something more studio-oriented than a basic home fitness product
The Reformer Shop carries the CenterLine Chair.
Best Pilates Chair for Upper-Body and Posture Work: Pilates Arm Chair
The Pilates Arm Chair is different from the standard Wunda-style chairs.
Its primary purpose is upper-body work, particularly exercises involving the shoulders, scapular control and functional strength.
Balanced Body describes its Arm Chair as an apparatus designed to develop scapular stability, functional strength and posture.
Buy the Arm Chair if:
• Upper-body work is a priority
• You teach posture-focused Pilates
• You want specialized apparatus
• You already own a reformer or other primary equipment
• You want to add another training modality to a studio
It is not the first piece of equipment I would buy for someone trying to build a complete home Pilates setup.
It makes much more sense as a specialized addition.
Wunda Chair vs Combo Chair
This is probably the most important comparison for buyers deciding between traditional and more versatile chair equipment.
| Feature | Wunda Chair | Combo Chair |
|---|---|---|
| Pedal | Single | Split, convertible to single |
| Resistance | Up to 83 lb | Up to 110 lb |
| Weight | About 61 lb | About 91 lb |
| Transport wheels | No | Yes |
| Exercise versatility | High | Very high |
| Traditional feel | Strong | Strong |
| Studio use | Excellent | Excellent |
| Home use | Excellent | Excellent |
| Footprint | Smaller | Slightly larger |
The Wunda is simpler.
The Combo is more versatile.
That does not mean the Combo is automatically the better purchase.
If you know you want traditional single-pedal work, paying more for functionality you rarely use does not necessarily make sense.
If you teach a wide variety of clients, however, the additional flexibility of the Combo becomes much more useful.
Single Pedal vs Split Pedal Pilates Chairs
This is one of the most important technical differences between the best Pilates chairs.
Single pedal
A single pedal moves as one unit.
This is the classic configuration and works extremely well for traditional chair exercises.
It is also mechanically simpler.
Split pedal
A split pedal allows the two sides to move independently.
This creates additional possibilities for reciprocal movement, rotation and asymmetrical exercises.
Balanced Body specifically notes that split-pedal chairs allow exercises involving rotational and reciprocal movement patterns that are not available in the same way on traditional single-pedal chairs.
Which should you buy?
For a first chair, choose a single pedal if you want simplicity and traditional Pilates.
Choose a split pedal if you already understand chair work or want maximum exercise versatility.
If you are buying for a professional studio, split-pedal functionality can be more valuable because it gives an instructor more options when programming for different clients.
How Much Space Does a Pilates Chair Need?
This is one of the biggest reasons people choose chairs.
The chair itself can have a footprint of approximately two to three square feet, depending on the model.
But do not measure only the equipment.
You need enough room around the chair for:
• Standing exercises
• Mounting and dismounting
• Pedal movement
• Instructor access
• Lateral movement
• Balance exercises
• Any additional accessories
The EXO Chair is particularly attractive when storage is important because it weighs about 36 pounds and is designed to be moved and stacked.
The Wunda and Combo are better suited to users who can leave their equipment assembled.
Are Pilates Chairs Good for Home Use?
Yes.
In fact, the compact footprint is one of their biggest advantages.
A reformer can dominate a room.
A chair does not have to.
That makes the chair especially useful for people who want dedicated Pilates equipment without turning an entire room into a studio.
The EXO is particularly well suited to this use because of its lighter construction and smaller storage requirements. Balanced Body explicitly lists home use among its intended applications.
The Wunda is also a strong home option if you have enough space to leave it set up.
The Combo makes more sense when you want a broader range of exercises and do not mind the additional weight.
Are Pilates Chairs Good for Beginners?
They can be, but the chair is not necessarily easier simply because it is smaller.
Some chair exercises challenge balance and control significantly.
A beginner should start with appropriate exercises and resistance rather than immediately attempting advanced movements.
This is particularly important because the chair does not have the same surrounding structure as a reformer.
There is no carriage supporting the user.
For that reason, instruction matters.
Balanced Body provides user guides and safety information for its chair equipment, including Wunda, Combo, EXO and CenterLine models.
For additional authoritative equipment information, buyers can review Balanced Body’s official Pilates Chair resources.
Pilates Chair Resistance Explained
Resistance comes primarily from the springs attached to the pedal.
The important thing is not simply the maximum resistance.
You want enough adjustment to accommodate different exercises and progression.
The Wunda Chair has two springs with four positions for each spring, providing eight resistance configurations. Balanced Body lists its maximum resistance at up to 83 pounds.
The Combo Chair uses four springs, two for each pedal, with resistance listed up to 110 pounds.
The EXO also provides multiple resistance settings while emphasizing portability.
When comparing the best Pilates chairs, look at the range and adjustability rather than simply choosing the chair with the biggest maximum number.
What Accessories Do You Actually Need?
One advantage of Pilates chairs is that you can start relatively simply.
You do not need to buy every accessory immediately.
Depending on the chair and your practice, useful additions can include:
• Handles
• High back
• Cushions
• Pedal stopper
• Resistance springs
• Slastix bands
• Small boxes
• Mats
Balanced Body offers a range of Wunda and Combo accessories, including handles, cushions, high-back systems, replacement springs and pedal stoppers.
Start with the accessories that support the exercises you actually intend to perform.
Buying a Pilates Chair for a Studio
Studio buyers should think differently from home users.
The equipment will probably be used more frequently and by more people.
That makes durability, replacement parts, warranty support and versatility more important.
For a studio, the Combo Chair is particularly attractive because of its split-pedal functionality, resistance range and transport wheels.
A Wunda Chair is also an excellent studio choice when traditional single-pedal work is central to the program.
If the studio already has several large pieces of equipment, a compact EXO can provide additional chair capacity without consuming as much floor space.
Buying a Pilates Chair for a Home Studio
For a dedicated home studio, I would narrow the decision down to three.
Choose Wunda for traditional Pilates.
It is compact, substantial and straightforward.
Choose Combo for maximum versatility.
It gives you single-pedal and split-pedal options and a broader exercise repertoire.
Choose EXO for portability.
It makes the most sense when equipment needs to be moved or stored regularly.
That is a much better way to approach the best Pilates chairs than simply asking which chair has the highest specifications.
Clear Buying Recommendations
Here is the practical answer.
Best overall: Wunda Chair
Buy the Wunda if you want a classic Pilates chair that is compact, durable and straightforward.
It is the choice for someone who wants traditional chair work without unnecessary complexity.
Best for versatility: Combo Chair
Buy the Combo if you want the broadest exercise options and expect to use split-pedal work.
It is particularly suitable for instructors and serious home practitioners.
Best for small spaces: EXO Chair
Buy the EXO if your biggest problem is space.
Its lighter 36-pound construction and stackable design make it much easier to move and store than traditional studio chairs.
Best for a traditional studio: CenterLine Chair
Choose the CenterLine when you want a compact single-pedal chair designed around traditional Pilates practice.
Best specialized addition: Pilates Arm Chair
Choose the Arm Chair when you already have your primary apparatus and want to add focused upper-body and postural work.
Best Pilates Chairs by Buyer
| Buyer | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-time home buyer | Wunda Chair | Simple and traditional |
| Experienced home user | Combo Chair | Greater exercise range |
| Apartment user | EXO Chair | Compact and portable |
| Classical Pilates studio | Wunda Chair | Traditional design |
| Busy professional studio | Combo Chair | Versatility and transport wheels |
| Small studio | EXO or CenterLine | Efficient use of space |
| Upper-body specialist | Pilates Arm Chair | Specialized training |
| Buyer wanting minimal equipment | Wunda Chair | Straightforward setup |
| Buyer wanting maximum functionality | Combo Chair | Split and single pedal options |
What Should You Spend Your Money On?
The best Pilates chairs are not necessarily the ones with the most accessories.
Spend money on the fundamental equipment first.
A well-built chair with good springs and a stable frame is more important than a large collection of accessories that you rarely use.
For a home buyer, I would prioritize:
- Build quality
- Appropriate pedal configuration
- Spring adjustability
- Stability
- Footprint
- Storage requirements
- Warranty and replacement support
- Accessories
For a studio, durability and versatility move even higher up the list.
Can a Pilates Chair Replace a Reformer?
Not completely.
The chair and reformer overlap in some areas, but they create different movement experiences.
A reformer gives you a moving carriage, straps, ropes and a long working surface.
A chair gives you a compact platform and spring-loaded pedal.
The better question is not whether one replaces the other.
It is whether the equipment matches what you want to accomplish.
For someone with a small apartment, a chair may make far more sense than purchasing a reformer that occupies most of the room.
For a professional studio, having both can create a much broader equipment offering.
Pilates Chair vs Reformer vs Cadillac
These three pieces of apparatus serve different purposes.
| Equipment | Main advantage | Space requirement | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilates Chair | Compact resistance work | Low | Home, studio, strength and balance |
| Reformer | Moving carriage and spring resistance | High | Full-body Pilates |
| Cadillac | Large range of supported exercises | High | Studio, advanced and specialized work |
This is why The Reformer Shop should not be thought of as only a reformer store.
The broader Pilates equipment category includes chairs, barrels, arcs, towers, Cadillac systems and accessories.
The right apparatus depends on the user’s goals.
Final Verdict: Which Pilates Chair Should You Buy?
If you want the simplest answer, start with your intended use.
Buy the Wunda Chair if you want traditional Pilates and a compact, permanent home or studio setup.
Buy the Combo Chair if versatility is the priority and you want split-pedal functionality.
Buy the EXO Chair if space and portability matter most.
Buy the CenterLine Chair if you want a compact traditional studio chair.
Buy the Pilates Arm Chair if you already own your primary apparatus and want specialized upper-body and postural training.
There is no universal winner among the best Pilates chairs.
The better purchase is the chair whose design matches the way you actually intend to train.
For most first-time buyers, that means resisting the temptation to buy the most complicated option.
Start with the equipment you will use consistently.
Browse Pilates chairs at The Reformer Shop to compare the available equipment and configurations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Pilates chair?
The best Pilates chair depends on how you intend to use it. The Wunda is a strong choice for traditional Pilates, the Combo for versatility and the EXO for portability and small spaces.
What is the difference between a Wunda Chair and Combo Chair?
The Wunda uses a single pedal. The Combo uses a split pedal that can also be converted to single-pedal use. The Combo also has four springs and transport wheels.
Is a Pilates chair good for home use?
Yes. Chairs require substantially less floor space than full-size reformers and can provide a broad range of strength, balance, mobility and core exercises.
Is a split-pedal Pilates chair better?
Not automatically. A split pedal provides more exercise possibilities, but a single-pedal chair can be preferable for traditional Pilates work and simpler programming.
Which Pilates chair takes up the least space?
The exact footprint varies by model, but compact models such as the EXO are particularly attractive for small spaces because they are lightweight and designed for storage.
Can beginners use a Pilates chair?
Yes, but beginners should start with appropriate exercises and resistance. Some chair exercises require considerable balance and control.
Do I need a reformer if I have a Pilates chair?
Not necessarily. A chair can provide a substantial Pilates workout on its own. A reformer offers different movement patterns and capabilities, so the two pieces of equipment complement rather than completely replace one another.
Is a Wunda Chair worth buying?
For someone who wants traditional Pilates chair work, a Wunda can be a very practical investment. Its compact footprint, adjustable resistance and established design make it suitable for both home and studio environments.
Should I buy a Pilates chair with handles?
Handles can provide additional support and expand exercise options, but they are not necessary for every buyer. Consider them if stability or the exercises you intend to perform make them useful.
How much space do I need for a Pilates chair?
The chair itself occupies relatively little floor space, but you also need clearance around it for mounting, standing exercises, pedal movement and safe movement.
What is the difference between a Pilates chair and a Wunda Chair?
A Wunda Chair is a specific type of Pilates chair based on the classic Wunda design. “Pilates chair” is the broader category that includes Wunda, Combo, EXO, CenterLine and other specialized chair designs.
Where can I buy Pilates chairs?
The Reformer Shop carries Pilates equipment beyond reformers, including Pilates chairs and related accessories. Compare the available Pilates equipment before choosing the configuration that fits your space and practice.
