As every Pilates enthusiast knows, properly maintaining our Pilates equipment is essential for getting a good workout during our sessions. Not only that, but it's also crucial for safety, both for ourselves and for our clients.
We all understand the importance of having a good feeling when doing our exercises; sometimes, we're distracted by the sounds of metal parts coming into contact, the creaking of wood, or the feel of a worn strap. None of these are pleasant and can take away from a relaxing experience while working out in the studio.
Often, there are parts of our equipment that we can easily see need immediate replacement, such as ropes, wheels, straps, or padded areas.
But what about the springs? How can we tell when it's time to replace these essential components of our equipment? We'll explain it to you below:
Pilates springs are an essential component for proper exercise, as they allow us to adjust the intensity of the resistance for our workouts. This makes sessions incredibly useful since the same machine can be adapted for different people and with varying levels of strength.
Typically, we decide to replace a spring based on its appearance or its performance. The appearance is easy to notice, as Pilates springs naturally wear out over time due to regular use.
However, evaluating performance requires an initial reference or comparison with other springs to determine how much resistance has been lost over time. Interestingly, many Pilates practitioners feel comfortable working with springs that have significantly worn out over time. As a result, when they replace the entire set, they often notice a much higher resistance than they were used to. That's why some Pilates studios have been using the same set of springs for over five years and still find them to be effective.
However, the truth is that Pilates springs should be replaced every two years, primarily for performance reasons, but more importantly, for safety. After two years of use, the springs lose elasticity. Furthermore, certain environments and usage can shorten the expected lifespan of the springs, so for safety reasons, it may be necessary to replace them within this period.
It's also important to know that most Pilates springs are often stretched beyond what they are actually designed to handle. Whether in a Reformer, Tower, or Cadillac, we tend to overextend the springs, increasing the likelihood of deformation or breakage. Therefore, it is crucial to regularly inspect Pilates springs, as worn or old springs lose elasticity and can easily break. Look for gaps or deformations between the coils when the spring is at rest. It is common for a small gap to be present at the tapered end due to the manufacturing process. However, there should be no gaps between the coils in the main body of the spring.
If you want to keep your Pilates studio functional and up to the standards expected by your clients, check your Pilates equipment regularly, and above all, inspect the springs frequently!
Me parece perfecto la explicación sobre el cambio o la sustitución de los muelles, por todas las razones que ya han explicado, pero también es verdad que amortizar una maquina, reformer con torre, una silla wunda, cuesta mucho tiempo y si el uso diario no es mucho, deben entender que los recortes o muelles, tienen un precio bastante elevado. No obstante prima la seguridad y la profesionalidad u todo es valorable para mantener en buen estado una maquina .