The Benefits of Owning a Pilates Sitting Box for Your Home Workouts

The Benefits of Owning a Pilates Sitting Box

Pilates has become an extremely popular form of exercise in recent years. The practice focuses on building core strength, flexibility and balance through a series of controlled movements. While Pilates reformers are often seen as the quintessential piece of equipment, there are many other useful tools that can enhance your practice. One such item is the Pilates sitting box.

What Is a Pilates Sitting Box?

A Pilates sitting box is exactly what its name implies - a box you sit on during Pilates exercises. The box is around 12-16 inches high and provides a stable, elevated surface for seated movements. Sitting boxes come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials including wood, plastic and foam.

Sitting boxes allow you to take your practice off the mat and onto a raised surface. This enables you to practice proper alignment and engage your core muscles more effectively. The instability of the box also challenges your balance and stability.

The Benefits of Using a Pilates Sitting Box

There are many advantages to owning a Pilates sitting box:

• It enhances core activation - Sitting on the box recruits core muscles to keep you balanced and stable.
• It improves posture - The height of the box gets you off the floor into an upright seated position, improving spinal alignment.
• It increases exercise options - A sitting box expands your repertoire of Pilates exercises beyond just matwork.
• It intensifies seated exercises - Doing seated movements on the box increases instability and abdominal engagement.
• It's portable - Sitting boxes are lightweight and easy to transport for workouts anywhere.

A Pilates sitting box is useful for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. It allows you to take traditional mat exercises and add a fresh challenge by performing them in a seated position.

Seated Exercises to Do on a Pilates Sitting Box

Here are some great seated exercises you can do on a Pilates sitting box:

Seated Leg Circles

Sit tall on the center of your sitting box. Hold onto the sides for balance. Extend one leg out straight and draw large circles with the leg, engaging your core to keep your upper body still. Switch directions then repeat on the opposite leg.

Seated Spine Stretch

Sit sideways on your box with legs extended out to one side. Inhale as you sweep the arms overhead, lengthening the spine. Exhale as you side bend over the legs, feeling a stretch down the side body.

Seated Balance Challenges

Try balancing in different seated positions on your box - with your legs crossed, feet lifted or in a tall kneel. Keep your core engaged as you hold each balance position for 30-60 seconds.

Seated Leg Lifts

Sit near the front edge of your box with your legs extended straight out in front of you. Keeping your core tight, inhale as you lift one leg up to hip height. Slowly lower back down and repeat on the opposite side.

How to Buy a Pilates Sitting Box

Material

Pilates sitting boxes come in wood, plastic, foam and other materials. Wood provides the most stable base but is bulkier. Plastic is affordable but may be slippery. Dense foam is lightweight and comfortable but compresses over time.

Size

Standard sitting box sizes range from 12-18 inches high. Shorter boxes around 12 inches work well for petite users while taller boxes up to 18 inches suit taller people. The surface area should be large enough to sit comfortably.

Portability

If you plan to transport your sitting box often, look for a lightweight model with handles for carrying. Plastic and foam boxes are more portable than solid wood.

Price

Pilates sitting boxes vary in price from $30 for basic foam options to over $100 for higher end wood boxes. Determine your budget and required features to find the right fit.

Brands

Popular brands for Pilates equipment like Balanced Body, Peak Pilates and Stott Pilates make quality sitting boxes. Or save money with a generic sitting box from Amazon or your local sporting goods store.

Make Your Own DIY Pilates Sitting Box

You can also easily make your own Pilates sitting box at home with basic supplies from the hardware store. Here's how to #DIY your own box:

Supplies Needed

• 1 piece of plywood, particle board or MDF - approximately 18" x 18"
• Saw or scissors to cut board to size
• Sandpaper
• Paint, stain or decorations for finishing (optional)
• Cushion or pillow for comfort (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut board to desired dimensions - recommend 16-18" square
2. Sand edges smooth so they are not sharp
3. Apply stain, paint or decorations if desired
4. Place cushion or pillow on top for comfort and traction

Be sure to check the height and stability of your finished sitting box before use. Add rubber feet or grip tape to the bottom if it feels slippery. Now you have your very own DIY Pilates sitting box for a fraction of the cost of buying one!

Get the Most Out of Your Pilates Sitting Box

A Pilates sitting box is a versatile and affordable addition to your home workout equipment. With a sitting box, you can take your Pilates practice beyond the mat and challenge your core, balance and posture in new ways. Just be sure to start slowly until you get used to the instability, and have fun exploring new seated exercises.

So pull up a box and take your workout to new heights with this must-have Pilates accessory!

FAQs

What are the benefits of using a pilates sitting box?

A pilates sitting box helps enhance core strength, improve posture, increase exercise options, intensify seated work and challenge your balance. The instability of the box recruits core muscles to keep you stable as you perform exercises.

What exercises can I do on a pilates sitting box?

Try seated leg circles, spinal stretches, balance challenges, leg lifts and other mat pilates moves translated to work on the box. Get creative with balances, stretches and core exercises.

How high should my pilates sitting box be?

Standard heights range from 12-18 inches. Shorter boxes around 12 inches suit petite exercisers while taller 14-18 inch boxes work better for taller people.

What materials are pilates sitting boxes made of?

Pilates sitting boxes come in wood, plastic, foam and other materials. Wood provides a stable base but is heavy. Plastic is affordable but slippery. Foam is lightweight but compresses over time.

Can I make my own DIY pilates sitting box?

Yes, you can easily make a DIY sitting box with plywood, MDF or particle board. Cut to size, sand the edges, and add paint, cushions or other personal touches. Add grip tape or rubber feet for stability.