Tower Control: classical tower pilates in a small group
Tower Control is a 55-minute class on the pilates tower (Cadillac) in a group of up to 6. You work with bars and springs mounted above and behind you, which allows precise work on the spine, shoulders and hips. The format is for people who already know the pilates basics well.
- Level
- Advanced
- Length
- 55 min
- Equipment
- Tower (Cadillac)
- Who it’s for
- For experienced students
What the class is
The tower is an upright frame at each station, with bars and springs attached at different heights. You work lying down, sitting and standing, while the springs either guide the movement or resist it.
The tower repertoire comes from Joseph Pilates’ classical method. In a small group the instructor can correct every detail — from your pelvis alignment to your shoulder blades.
How a class runs
- PreparationChoosing springs and bars, breathing and setting the pelvis.
- SpineSpinal rolls with the bar, which help you learn to move vertebra by vertebra.
- Legs and hipsLeg springs work lying down — control of the hip joint in different planes.
- Arms and shouldersExercises with the bar and springs overhead, shoulder-blade stability.
- LengtheningSpring-assisted stretching and a calm return to the breath.
What makes it different
- The smallest group in the studio — up to 6 people, so the instructor works with each person individually.
- Classical tower repertoire that can’t be done on the reformer or the mat.
- Taught by Marta Zielińska, a physiotherapist who checks your pelvis alignment to the centimetre.
Who it suits
A good choice if
- you train on the reformer regularly and want to learn the classical repertoire,
- precision and individual corrections matter to you,
- you want to work on spinal and shoulder mobility in a controlled range,
- you prefer an intimate group.
Choose another format or talk to your doctor first if
- you’re just starting out — choose Reformer Flow or Mat Core,
- you have a recent injury or acute pain — get your doctor’s or physiotherapist’s consent first,
- you’re pregnant — choose Prenatal Reformer.
What regular training gives you
- Precise movement
- The springs guide the movement, so it’s easier to feel exactly how your body is aligned.
- Spinal mobility
- Rolling with the bar teaches movement segment by segment.
- Strong, stable shoulders
- Overhead bar work demands control of your shoulder blades.
- Individual corrections
- In a group of up to 6, everyone gets the instructor’s attention.
Your first class
- Before your first tower class, it helps to have at least a few months of reformer behind you.
- If you have trained at another studio, drop us a message — we’ll find the right level.
- Close-fitting clothes and grip socks.
- Tell your instructor about any injuries or movement restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Cadillac in pilates?
It’s the common name for the tower or table with a frame, bars and springs. In our studio we work on towers at individual stations, in groups of up to 6.
Is the tower harder than the reformer?
It requires a good grasp of the basics, because the exercises are more complex and the instructor expects precision. That’s why it’s level 3.
Can I start with Tower Control?
Only if you have experience on the equipment. Otherwise, start with Reformer Flow and move on to the tower after a few months.
How many people are in a class?
A maximum of 6 — one person per station.
Who teaches Tower Control?
Marta Zielińska, a physiotherapist who specialises in the classical tower repertoire.
These descriptions are for information only and are not a substitute for advice from a doctor or physiotherapist. If you have an injury, a chronic condition or are pregnant, check with a specialist first and tell your instructor before the class.