Equipment Feature: The Ladder Barrel
The Ladder Barrel
The Ladder Barrel is an original piece of Pilates equipment designed by Joseph Pilates. While the modern day model is more advanced looking, the original model was an empty beer keg! The Ladder Barrel is a unique piece of Pilates equipment used to increase flexibility and strengthen the body in multiple planes of movement. It combines a rounded barrel connected to an upright ladder by a sliding frame, which can be adjusted based on the client’s height and build.
Like all of the Pilates equipment, the Ladder Barrel is designed to provide feedback, which is imperative for motor control and developing functional movement patterns used in our day to day lives. The curved surface of the barrel assists in moving the spine uniformly when flexing (forward bending), extending (backbending) and side bending. The Ladder Barrel can be used to counteract dysfunctional movement patterns and other adverse effects of modern day life while promoting optimal posture, stability and balance.
At the Pilates Rx, the Ladder Barrel is used in all of our programs. While many of the Ladder Barrel exercises fall into more advanced categories, this piece of equipment is quite versatile and can be used in an assistive manner.
The RX/Physical Therapy - common spinal conditions seen in the Pilates world require modifications to avoid bending specific regions of the spine. If a patient has a sensitivity to forward or backward bending, the area of concern can be safely stabilized while surrounding segments of the spine can be mobilized. For example, we are able to modify exercises such as Swan to avoid low back extension (back bending) while improving mobility of the mid/upper back for a patient with Stenosis. Similarly, the benefits of Bridging on the Ladder Barrel include eliminating thoracic flexion while improving leg strength and hip extension for a patient with Osteoporosis.
For the Moms - the Ladder Barrel helps support pregnant clients that are unable to perform exercises while lying on their back after the 2nd trimester. Clients can continue to improve their fitness throughout pregnancy while increasing core control and pelvic floor strength with exercises such as Side Sit Up. Modifications with the Ladder Barrel make the exercise safer and more achievable by supporting the body through side bending in a controlled range of motion.
The Movement - If you’re a beginner, exercises can be broken down into smaller parts to create better body awareness, posture and movement control. For example, Swimming and Horseback are full body exercises that teach proper alignment and hip extension. For the more advanced pilates repertoire, Rollover/Shoulder Stand and Grasshopper are dynamic inversions that incorporate full body strength, balance, and scapular/core stability.
