Cadillac

What Is the Cadillac?

The Cadillac – also known as the Trapeze Table – is one of the original pieces of apparatus designed by Joseph Pilates himself. It’s a full-size raised table fitted with a canopy frame, from which a system of springs, bars, straps, and a trapeze hang at various heights and tensions.

Unlike the Reformer, which moves beneath you, the Cadillac is a fixed, stable surface . This makes it exceptional for people who need extra support – whether you’re managing pain, recovering from surgery, or simply want to work on specific areas of your body with more control.

It’s widely considered the most versatile piece of Pilates equipment in existence. With over 80 possible exercises, your instructor can adapt every session to exactly what your body needs on that day.

What Makes the Cadillac Different from the Reformer?

While the Reformer is our core group class apparatus, the Cadillac is reserved for 1-to-1 sessions only . Here’s why:

Full Body Support

The raised, padded table lets you work lying down, sitting, kneeling, or standing – with complete stability. Ideal for anyone who finds floor work or Reformer movement difficult or painful.

Spring Variety

The Cadillac offers springs at multiple heights and angles – arm springs, leg springs, the roll-down bar, the push-through bar, and the trapeze. Each targets different muscle groups with precision.

Dedicated Attention

Because of its complexity and the range of exercises available, the Cadillac is always used in a 1-to-1 setting . Your instructor is focused entirely on you, adjusting springs and positions in real time.

What Can the Cadillac Help With?

The Cadillac is particularly effective for rehabilitation and pain management because it allows your instructor to support your body weight while you move. This means you can work muscles that would otherwise be too painful to engage.

Back pain & spinal issues Gentle spinal decompression using the roll-down bar and push-through bar. Targeted strengthening of the deep stabilising muscles that support your spine. Many of our members with chronic back pain have seen significant improvement.

Foot & ankle rehabilitation The leg springs allow controlled, progressive movement to rebuild strength and mobility in the feet and ankles – crucial after sprains, fractures, or surgery.

Post-surgical recovery Safe, supported exercise that rebuilds strength and confidence progressively. The stable surface means no unexpected movements – everything is controlled and measured.

Shoulder & upper body issues The arm springs and trapeze allow overhead and cross-body movements that are difficult to replicate on the Reformer. Excellent for frozen shoulder, rotator cuff issues, and general upper body weakness.

Postural imbalances The variety of positions available on the Cadillac lets your instructor identify and correct asymmetries – the patterns your body has developed that may be causing pain elsewhere.

The History of the Cadillac

Joseph Pilates originally developed the Cadillac while working with injured soldiers and internees during World War I. He attached springs to hospital beds to allow patients to exercise while lying down – and the concept evolved into what we now know as the Cadillac.

The name “Cadillac” reportedly came from one of Pilates’ students who, after her first session, remarked that it was “like the Cadillac of exercise equipment” – the best of the best. The name stuck.

Today, the Cadillac remains the gold standard for rehabilitation-focused Pilates . It’s used by physiotherapists, osteopaths, and specialist Pilates studios around the world. At The Old Dairy, it’s a key part of how we help clients manage pain, recover from injury, and build lasting strength.

Key Cadillac Exercises & What They Target

Your instructor will select from dozens of exercises based on your specific needs. Here are some of the most commonly used:

Push-Through Bar A spring-loaded bar that moves in an arc. Used for spinal articulation, hamstring stretches, and shoulder mobility. One of the most therapeutic exercises on the Cadillac – the gentle, assisted movement helps decompress the spine.

Roll-Down Bar Attached to springs at the top of the frame. You sit and slowly roll your spine down, vertebra by vertebra, against the resistance of the springs. Builds deep core control and spinal mobility.

Leg Springs Springs attached at the top of the frame, connected to your feet or ankles. Allow you to work your legs in every direction – circles, scissors, walking patterns – with the springs providing both resistance and support.

Arm Springs Similar to leg springs but for the upper body. Used for chest opening, shoulder strengthening, and upper back work. Particularly effective for desk workers and anyone with rounded shoulders.

Trapeze (Hanging Bar) A suspended bar for hanging, inversions, and advanced core work. In rehabilitation, it’s used for gentle traction and decompression – letting gravity assist rather than fight against you.

Tower Attachment Some Cadillac exercises overlap with Tower work. The spring-loaded push-through bar at the base allows standing and kneeling exercises that build functional strength for everyday movements.

APPI-Qualified Rehabilitation Specialists

“My back pain has eased a lot and I feel stronger with more energy! A friend yesterday commented on how my posture had improved & that I seemed taller!!!”

Cadillac Pilates Near Northampton

Our Cadillac work takes place at The Old Dairy Pilates Studio, Lamport Manor Farm, near Northampton. We welcome clients from across Northamptonshire, including Kettering, Wellingborough, and Market Harborough. The Cadillac is used primarily in private rehabilitation sessions tailored to your specific needs.