Wunda Chair Workouts That Build Total-Body Strength
By Alisa Wyatt
When Joseph Pilates designed the Wunda Chair, he wasn’t aiming for flashy or complex—he was aiming to give his dedicated clients who spent summers away from his studio a compact and complete gym that would keep them in peak functional strength.
At first glance, the Wunda Chair might seem unassuming for it’s small size and simple design, especially compared to the Reformer or Cadillac. But this compact apparatus is a powerhouse for developing strength, stability, balance, and focus.
In fact, if you’re short on time or space, the Wunda Chair might be the only piece of equipment you ever need.
If you’re looking for a Wunda Chair built with the highest standards to Mr. Pilates’ original dimensions, look no further than Gratz Pilates.
The Gratz Wunda Chair is the gold standard for practitioners who want authentic resistance and spring-based precision that sharpens your technique and builds real-world strength.
Why the Wunda Chair?
1. Lower Body Strength
The Pilates Chair is unmatched in building strength through the hips, thighs, glutes, calves, and feet. Exercises like Mountain Climber Front, Side & Down require your entire lower body to stabilize and power the movement, teaching the body to move efficiently and with control. It’s truly unmatched for giving you strong, well-muscled glutes & legs that look as great as they perform.
2. Knee Health
The dynamic resistance of the springs quickly reveals your weaker side (you use your legs asymmetrically the same way you do your arms) making it easy to know where you need to build more stability, support and strength. It’s like physical therapy in motion—strengthening the stabilizing muscles that support your knees, without stress or impact.
3. Balance & Agility
Wunda Chair work demands and improves balance. Joseph Pilates gave it a small surface area on purpose so that every time you stand or lie on it, you are forced to fire dormant muscles and gain greater body awareness.
4. Core Integration
Nothing on the Wunda Chair is passive. It’s all about increasing pelvic stability and abdominal strength through movements that challenge both. Whether you're pressing the pedal or holding a position mid-air, your body is constantly working to stabilize and support your spine.
5. Compact & Mighty
Let’s not forget: the Wunda Chair was originally designed to turn into a living room chair. It’s one of the most space-saving, effective pieces of Pilates apparatus you can own—and still completely true to Joe’s original concept.
Ready to Get Stronger? Try These Wunda Chair Workouts on Pilatesology:
This progressive series begins with fundamental strength and progresses to the archival full sequence exactly as Joe taught it. Each workout flows into the next, followed by Miguel’s detailed breakdowns. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to deepen their Chair practice step-by-step.
Want to feel the burn fast? Celebrity-trainer Alycea Ungaro brings the heat with a full-body, cardio-charged Wunda workout. Get ready to sweat and smile.
A deceptively simple yet deeply strengthening class with NFL Football trainer, Nicole Smith, where your feet never leave the pedal. No spring changes, no wasted time—just pure, connected movement.
Have Questions About Wunda Chair Exercises? Check out the Wunda Chair Encyclopedia on Pilatesology:
See breakdowns, goals, tips and each exercise in action! Then watch our world-renowned teachers give their own tutorials on every classical Wunda move.
Whether you're looking to sculpt your legs, stabilize your core, or future-proof your knees, the Wunda Chair delivers. And on a Gratz Chair? You’ll feel the difference in every inch of your body.
Exclusive Offer from Pilatesology
New to Pilatesology? As a friend of Gratz, you can try the world’s largest library of Classical Pilates classes free for 30 days!
Use code: GRATZ30 at checkout to activate your free trial and start exploring Wunda Chair workouts, archival footage, tutorials, and so much more.
About Alisa Wyatt, Co-founder of Pilatesology
Alisa is a renowned Pilates instructor and co-founder of Pilatesology, the leading online resource for Classical Pilates. With over 25 years of teaching experience, Alisa is dedicated to preserving and sharing Joseph Pilates’ original method worldwide, helping practitioners achieve strength, balance, and transformation.