For Studios

Barrels & Arcs

Combine comfort, quality and ergonomic design with Barrels and Arcs for mat and Reformer work. Made to easily move around the room, these space-saving tools support, mobilize and challenge the spine.

9 products

Choosing from this range

Barrels support spinal extension and side-bending over a fixed curve — something no other apparatus does as well. The three types differ mainly in footprint: a ladder barrel is a standalone piece needing 3 ft × 2 ft 6 in, a spine corrector is a small floor unit, and an arc stores flat and fits on a reformer carriage.

For most home practices the arc or spine corrector is the right choice. A ladder barrel earns its footprint in a studio teaching extension and side-bending seriously.

What to check before you choose a barrel

  • Padding firmness — soft padding collapses and loses the curve that makes it work
  • Curve depth — deeper gives more extension but suits fewer people
  • Adjustable ladder gap on a ladder barrel, for different leg lengths
  • Stable, heavy base that does not shift under lateral load
  • Whether it fits a reformer carriage, if space is limited

Barrels & Arcs — frequently asked questions

  • Which Pilates barrel should I buy first?
    A step barrel or spine corrector for most people — it delivers supported spinal extension in a fraction of a ladder barrel’s footprint. If you own a reformer and space is tight, an arc is better still.
  • What is a spine corrector used for?
    Supported spinal extension over the curve, plus hip and abdominal work using the shape for leverage. It is the most useful small barrel for a home practice.
  • Can an arc be used on a reformer?
    Yes — that is its main advantage. Placed on the carriage it combines spinal extension with spring resistance.