Pilates Machine or Pilates Equipment?

Pilates is a system of physical conditioning that emphasizes the seven key principles of proper alignment, centering, concentration, control, precision, breathing, and flowing movement.  It was invented by Joseph Pilates as a way for veterans returning from World War I to condition their bodies.  Pilates originally called his system of exercise "Contrology" to describe how he thought it worked- by using the mind to control the muscles.  He believed in mind-body unity and Pilates was created to serve this connection.  This may have had something to do with the fact that he was a gymnast, as the exercises used in gumnastics utilize body weight and a high level of concentration, balance, and body coordination is necessary to perform gymnastics exercises well.  Without delving into the scientific literature on the subject, I believe that Pilates is correct to take such an approach.  Studies have shown that visualization plays a crucial part in the success of athletes, whether it's for peak performance or for realizing training goals.  Some studies have even shown that only visualizing that one is lifting weights increased muscle mass in those who took part in the study!    Many people have recognized the benefits of Pilates for physical and mental health.  As someone who has dabbled in weight lifting, swimming, tennis, and other exercises, I have found that surfing (a very enjoyable activity) and bodyweight exercises as found in the book "Building the Gymnastic Body" are the best ways for me to stay in shape.  Just like in gymnastics exercises, Pilates trains posture, which is so crucial.  You don't necessarily have to maintain posture when lifting weights, which is why you will often see weightlifters (amateurs) with strange postures and body parts that are out of proportion from doing weight exercises that build muscle mass unequally and may be non-functional.  The benefit of Pilates is that it focuses on strengthening the core, and exercises target large areas of the body, if not the entire body.  Such exercise has been shown to more effectively strengthen and burn calories at the same time.  With Pilates, you don't run the risk of having a huge chest and biceps while the rest of the body remains scrawny. 

Pilates machines differ greatly from those used for weightlifting, as the machines are designed to provide resistance that is in line with pilates principles.  That means most movements done on the machine will still target the core, while posture remains of the utmost importance.

Pilates machines are better described as Pilates equipment, as that term is the one usually used by Pilates practitioners.  You will usually only hear newcomers to Pilates say 'Pilates machine', though the large number of people new to Pilates means that the word "machine" may be becoming normal.  We will first deal with the equipment that was invented by Pilates and used in his method, as some Pilates practitioners feel that these are the only kinds of equipment that can use the label 'Pilates'.  Most of this apparatus is used for resistance training, with springs providing the resistance.  Contrary to exercise machines which use dead weight, the resistance of springs increases as they are stretched, meaning the same equipment can provide an equally good workout to people with different levels of strength.  This is in keeping with the idea of using one's own body weight for resistance, as each person's body weight can provide the right amount of resistance.  Pilates equipment is largely the same as it was when it was first invented, as the main components are springs for resistance, supports for specific parts of the body like the shoulders, neck and back, and straps to hold feet and hands.  Equipment is designed to educate the body to move properly, properly meaning with the most efficiency.  Since Pilates believed (and many others agree with him) that moving from the core (the large group of muscles that includes your abdominals, low back, and glutes) is the most natural and efficient way of moving, exercises done using equipment also serves the purpose to teaching you to initiate movements from the core.     

Some of the specific equipment used includes the reformer, which you might hear some call the Pilates reformer machine.  This belongs to the class of larger Pilates equipment, or apparatus, with some of the others including the Pilates chair, barrel, tower, and Cadillac.  The magic circle is a piece of equipment that is smaller and portable.  Although nowadays, people also use small exercise balls like yoga balls, these were not a part of the original collection of apparatus used by Pilates himself. 
The reformer is a classic Pilates apparatus and consists of an adjustable foot bar, gear system, springs, and carriage.  The springs are color coded for resistance, and the foot bar is adjustable.  You sit in the carriage, which slides along the frame against the resistance of the springs.  It might sound like those rowing machines people are familiar with, but the reformer is much more versatile in the many ways it can work your body because workouts can be done sitting, standing, kneeling, and laying down to work muscles differently. 
Traditionally, larger equipment was usually found only in Pilates studios or other commercial Pilates establishments.  Thus smaller equipment was favored for home use.  However, the popularity of Pilates means that companies have started to make lighter models which are also appropriate for home use, like the Aero Pilates machine, for example.  A Pilates exercise machine is a good choice for the home compared to traditional weight training machines, as they are less bulky, don't require weights for resistance, and some models are made so that they can be folded for storage.  There is also less chance of injury with a Pilates machine, and many types of Pilates machine exercises can be done on one piece of equipment.  A home Pilates machine would be a great complement to the Pilates mat exercises you do at home.