History of the Small Arm Chair, AKA Baby Chair

By Elaine Ewing

Joseph Pilates was known for designing specialized apparatus to support his method of physical conditioning, originally termed Contrology. Among his more compact inventions is a seated apparatus with springs and handles, now commonly called the Small Arm Chair. While the nickname “Baby Chair” is frequently used within the Pilates community today, there is no known documentation confirming that Joseph himself used that term.

Joseph Pilates Original Design

Joe’s original design featured a fixed, upright back and included hooks on the sides where the handles could hang when not in use. One of these original chairs still exists and is preserved in my collection of archival Pilates apparatus. Over the years, it was painted different colors—now visible through layers of chipping paint—with the final coat being white. The original plaque from Joseph Pilates remains on the chair, which is one of the clearest indicators that a piece of equipment is original. Due to its delicate condition, this chair is rarely used today, but it is carefully maintained as-is to honor its historical significance.

The Small Arm Chair was designed for seated work, particularly to strengthen the arms, shoulders, and upper back, while also supporting spinal alignment. Like many of Joe’s inventions, its simplicity is part of its genius. The structure encourages correct posture and allows for a targeted workout using spring resistance, helping to isolate arm movements while stabilizing the torso.

References to the Small Arm Chair date as far back as the 1940s, and a number of original examples still exist in private collections. These early versions offer a glimpse into the craftsmanship and design choices Joe made, often reflecting both the needs of his clients and his belief in efficient, controlled movement.

Individual shot of the white Small Arm Chair from Joe’s studio, from Elaine Ewing’s collection.
Copyright 2025 Elaine Ewing.

Carola Trier’s Pilates Arm Chair

Another original Small Arm Chair in my collection holds equally significant historical value. Carola referred to this apparatus simply as the "Arm Chair". This particular chair came from the studio of Carola Trier, one of Joe’s earliest and most well-known students. Carola was not only a devoted practitioner of Joe’s method but also a close friend. She is often credited with bringing a deeply artistic and therapeutic dimension to Pilates, applying it in innovative ways with her clientele, which included dancers and rehabilitative patients.

Its dimensions and structure are nearly identical to the white chair. It is painted silver—a common color used on Joe’s original equipment—and still has the side hooks for the handles. Evidence also suggests that Carola used both heavy and light springs with this chair depending on the needs of the client and the specific exercise. This versatility is a reminder that while the structure of the equipment was standardized, the way it was used could vary based on individual goals and abilities.

Like the white chair, Carola’s chair is extremely sturdy and has a fixed back, further confirming that the original design did not include a moving backrest. The fixed-back design, in particular, suggests that Joe’s original intention was to provide a non-negotiable upright posture for exercises, ensuring that the arms worked in tandem with an engaged trunk and stable spine.

The Evolution of the Moveable-Back Small Arm Chair

The moveable-back version of the chair originated from a later evolution of the design. It allows for additional spinal mobility exercises, giving instructors more options in programming. According to the story, one of Joe’s original chairs ended up at Drago’s studio in the 1990s. Over time, its wooden back came loose. When the springs were pulled, the back would tilt forward, and when tension was released, it would fall backward. Rather than restoring the back to its fixed position, a repertoire was developed around its new movement, and the chair continued to be used that way. This is the version that Gratz eventually used as the basis for fabricating the Small Arm Chair that we see today.

Individual shot of Carola Trier’s Arm Chair, from Elaine Ewing’s collection. 
Copyright 2025 Elaine Ewing.

Up Close Photo of Carola Trier’s Arm Chair, from Elaine Ewing’s collection.
Copyright 2025 Elaine Ewing.

Individual shot of the chair with no springs, from Sean Gallagher’s collection.
Copyright 2025 Elaine Ewing.