By: Infinity Pilates | 07/10/2021

After feeling inspired by a recent Pilates Alliance conference workshop attended by Infinity staff, this great piece of Pilates equipment is not only fun and challenging, but it also provides an added dimension to your home workouts!

 

The Pilates Bean Bag device is a rather simple piece of equipment that not only improves grip, shoulder and hand strength, it also assists with shoulder stabilisation and postural control. And the added bonus is it’s cheap and easy to make yourself! As you can also utilise click and collect from a local hardware store, this is a fantastic lockdown project for you to enjoy! Here, Paul will guide you through his step by step process.

 

You will need:

• 4 zip-lock or freezer bags
• 36kg of sand … or beans, lentils – I used fresh kitty litter!
• Scales for weighing
• A medium sized bag/drawstring pouch
• A 40cm length of wooden dowel that is 25-35mm thick/diameter (my 30mm diameter dowel was sold as a 1.2 metre length by my local hardware store)
• A 2m length of rope or cord
• Rubber chair tips (not essential but just ensures no rough edges. Comes in a 4 pack and make sure you have purchased the ones appropriate for your dowel thickness)
• A Snap hook keyring (again, not essential)
• A Saw
• A Drill

 

For the bean bags

Using the scales, weigh out 2x 1-pound (453g) bags of sand and 2x ½ pound (227g) bags. Close the bags tightly (I reinforced mine with tape).

 

 

Drill a hole in the middle of the 40cm length of dowel. Make sure the hole is wide enough that the rope can pass through it. (If you don’t have a drill, you could tie the rope to the centre of the dowel and tape it in place securely). Once the rope is through the hole, tie a secure knot at one end. Place a rubber chair tip at each end of the dowel.

 

 

At the other end of the rope, attach your snap hook keyring. Then, in your bag/drawstring pouch, place one of your bean bags – you might want to start off with a ½ pound one. Attach the drawstring bag to the snap hook. (You could tie your rope to the drawstring bag if no snap hook is available). You’re now good to go!

 

 

Bonus

If you have your left over 80cms of wooden dowel and two rubber chair tips, attach each tip to either end of the dowel: You’ve now got your own Roll Up bar/Gondola pole!

 

Once you’ve completed your Bean Bag device and bonus Roll Up Bar/Gondola pole, show them to your instructor at your next Virtually Infinity class and we can guide you through what to do next.

 

We can’t wait to share this traditional work with you!