Have you ever wondered about the purpose of Pilates Reformer Springs? This article outlines popular brand specifications and offers tips for maintaining your springs.
In a Pilates Anytime class, you may hear our teachers state a range of Reformer spring tension from light to medium to heavy. Springs create resistance on your Reformer, so adding a spring increases resistance, and removing one decreases resistance.
Using heavier springs does not necessarily equal a harder workout, however. The springs are there to support you, and depending on the exercise, a lighter spring may require more strength and control.
As each brand has its own distinct feel, spring tension varies by manufacturer. Below, you can find our helpful spring guide to common Pilates Reformer brands:
Balanced Body® Springs
Reformer Springs
Each color spring corresponds to a different level of resistance:
Yellow Spring: Very Light Resistance
Blue Spring: Light Resistance
Red Spring: Medium Resistance
Green Spring: Heavy Resistance
Other Balanced Body® Springs and Resistance Bands
Slastix® Resistance Bands
Slastix® Resistance bands can be used on the EXO® Chair, as well as on your Trapeze Table, Tower, or Springboard.
Available in different lengths and resistance:
Yellow: Light Resistance - 25″ (63cm) / 31″ (79cm)
Blue: Medium - 25″ (63cm) / 31″ (79cm)
Red: Heavy 42″(107cm)
Functional Resistance Kits
With Functional Resistance Kits, specially designed for EXO® Chairs and featuring Slastix® bands as well, you can increase your challenge and your benefits. An amazing accessory for strength building, the kits come in heavy and light resistance:
Heavy Resistance Kit Includes
One pair of single loops (cotton)
One pair of Neoprene® handles
Slastix resistance bands, including one pair 25"/63cm (blue/medium), one pair 31"/79cm (blue/medium), and one single 42"/107cm (red/heavy)
Light Resistance Kit Includes
One pair of single loops (cotton)
One pair of Neoprene® handles
Slastix resistance bands, including one pair 25"/63cm (yellow/light), one pair 31"/79cm (yellow/light), and one single 42"/107cm (red/heavy)
Trapeze Springs
Trapeze Springs come in these standard configurations:
CenterLine® Cadillac: 1 Red, 1 Green, 2 Blue, 2 Gray, 2 White, 2 Red (Long)
CenterLine Pole System: 1 Red, 1 Green, 2 Blue, 2 Gray, 2 Red (Long)
Ped-a-Pul: 2 Yellow
Pilates Springboard™: 2 Yellow, 2 Purple (Long)
Pilates Springboard with Push-Through Bar: 2 Yellow, 2 Purple (Long); and 2 Blue OR 2 Red
Reformer Trapeze Combination™ (Trapeze Table): 2 Yellow, 2 Blue, 2 Red, 2 Black, 2 Yellow (Long), 2 Purple (Long)
Tower for Allegro® Reformer: 2 Yellow, 2 Blue, 2 Yellow (Long), 2 Purple (Long)
Tower for Allegro 2 Reformer: 2 Yellow, 2 Blue, 2 Yellow (Long), 2 Purple (Long)
Tower for Studio/Clinical Reformer: 2 Yellow, 2 Blue, 2 Yellow (Long), 2 Purple (Long)
Trapeze Table: 2 Yellow, 2 Blue, 2 Red, 2 Black, 2 Yellow (Long), 2 Purple (Long)
Wall Tower: 2 Yellow, 2 Blue, 2 Yellow (Long), 2 Purple (Long)
Spring Dimensions: Long Purple and Long Yellow: 31.25"L (79.4cm), Black: 25.5"(64.7cm), Short Yellow, Blue, Red: 25.25"(64.1cm)
Trapeze Bar Springs are available in black (heavy) or white (heavy, for the CenterLine Cadillac).
Wall Tower Springs
The standard spring configurations for Balance Body® Wall Tower Springs are:
CenterLine® Pole System: 1 Red, 1 Green, 2 Blue, 2 Gray, 2 Red (Long)
Wall Tower: 2 Yellow, 2 Blue, 2 Yellow (Long), 2 Purple (Long)
Wall Tower springs are also used on Balance Body Trapeze Tables and their Reformer Trapeze Combination.
Gratz® Reformer Springs
Gratz® Reformers contain four springs of equal resistance, comparable to a heavy resistance Spring from Balanced Body®.
Peak Pilates® Reformer Springs
Similar to Balanced Body® Reformers, the five Peak Pilates® Reformer springs are color-coded:
2 Blue Springs: Light Resistance
2 Yellow Springs: Medium Resistance
1 Red Spring: Heavy Resistance
Merrithew® Reformer Springs
Formerly known as STOTT®, Merrithew® Reformers consist of five springs of mixed resistance:
White Spring: 25% Tension
Blue Spring: 50% Tension
Red Spring: 100% Tension
Black Spring: 125% Tension
When purchasing a Merrithew® Reformer, you have the option to choose one of three spring combinations of varying tension to fit your Pilates needs.
Merrithew® also has various other springs for Arms, Legs, Roll Down, Push Thru, and Trapeze. The full range of spring accessories can be found HERE.
AeroPilates® Reformer Cords
The AeroPilates® Reformer uses bungee cords instead of springs for resistance. Depending on the model, AeroPilates® Reformers use four to five black cords of equal tension. For additional customization, you can purchase heavier (red) cords and lighter (yellow) cords.
Flexia™ Reformer Springs
The Flexia™ Reformer comes with five color-coded springs with varying tension:
1 White Spring: 25% Tension
1 Orange Spring: 50% Tension
2 Blue Springs: 100% Tension
1 Black Spring: 125% Tension
Pilates Designs® Reformer Springs
Pilates Designs® Reformers contain four springs of equal resistance. Light and heavy springs are also available for purchase.
General Information about Springs
How Often Should I Replace My Springs?
Depending on your use, we recommend replacing your Reformer's springs as soon as you begin to see signs of wear. Common signs to replace your springs are oxidation and kinks, or gaps in the coil.
Left unattended, springs can break during use, which could endanger you or a client. A good rule of thumb is to replace your springs every two years.
Note: Reformer springs made by one manufacturer are not compatible with another Reformer brand.
How do I Clean My Springs?
While it is important to keep your pilates equipment clean by wiping rails, frames, bars, wheels, and pedals with a soft cloth and water, and the vinyl with a drop of dish soap and water, it is better to keep chemicals and cleaning agents away from your springs as they, and also oils from human skin, can affect the metal. Make sure you don’t touch them more than you need to, and be careful when cleaning the other parts of your equipment, not to spill liquids or other agents on your springs, as it would shorten the lifespan of your springs.
Different Bodies Require Different Springs
Appropriate spring tensions may vary depending on a person's height, weight, and skill level. A 150-pound experienced Pilates practitioner might require a much different spring resistance than a 110-pound beginner. We note that in most cases, the beginner will likely need more spring tension to be supported safely throughout an exercise.
Your spring tension should allow you to perform each Pilates exercise with control, stability, and confidence. If you understand an exercise and still feel that you are not accomplishing its objective, you may want to adjust your spring tension.
CLICK HERE to read about Pilates Chair Springs