Why Every Fitness Studio & Rehab Clinic Needs a Merrithew® Stability Chair™

Merrithew^®’s Split-Pedal Stability Chair^™ may be compact, however, that’s exactly what makes it so effective. This small and mighty powerhouse piece of equipment is a must-have for anyone looking to improve strength, mobility and balance, suiting everyone from elite athletes to fitness enthusiasts and rehab patients.

Originally developed by Joseph Pilates to fit into compact home gyms, the Stability Chair has evolved into a go-to tool for full-body conditioning, rehabilitation and functional training. Its ability to engage deep stabilizing muscles, challenge balance and enhance movement patterns makes it an essential addition to fitness studios, rehabilitation clinics and home gyms.

Merrithew’s Split-Pedal Stability Chair takes after the original model with some modern upgrades, including:

A durable double-steel frame for superior stability and support
Split pedals that move independently or lock together for customizable training
Adjustable and detachable handles for added assistance and balance
Smooth-rolling wheels for easy portability
Four adjustable resistance springs to accommodate all fitness levels

Why the Stability Chair is a Must-Have for Fitness & Rehab

To understand how the Stability Chair improves fitness and rehabilitation, we spoke with physical therapist and Merrithew Lead Instructor Trainer Cheryl Cote Alden from Symmetry Pilates Center in Bedford, New Hampshire. She shared her expert insights on the Stability Chair’s versatility and effectiveness across various client needs.

1. Improves Functional Strength & Stability

“The Stability Chair is effective for many clients because of the unique functional and strength challenges it can create for people of diverse needs. Due to the small size of the Stability Chair, clients need to engage the core musculature and stabilize in a manner used in daily life, being stable but not rigid,” explains Cheryl.

“You can use the Stability Chair to focus on balance, isolate ankle and scapular mobility or challenge flexibility and strength. For any given session, you can make the exercises more challenging or accessible with the adjustable springs based on your clients’ needs and abilities.”

2. A Safe and Accessible Option for Injury Recovery

The height of the Stability Chair makes it easy for people with injuries, who are pre and postnatal or post-rehab to get on and off, making it an appropriate choice for those with hip or knee injuries, or other mobility limitations. It is also ideal for clients who need to remain in seated or upright positions.

3. Identifies and Corrects Imbalances

Using the split-pedal function, trainers can assess asymmetries in strength and control between the left and right sides of the body. Cheryl explains, “When clients do Footwork with the split pedal, for example, you can see whether they are pushing more with one leg. The challenge is maintaining lumbar and pelvic stability while engaging the pedal.”

How to Cater the Stability Chair for Different Clients

1. Boost Strength & Stability for Fitness Clients

“I like how the small surface area of the Stability Chair requires clients to engage more stabilizing musculature and provides feedback,” says Cheryl. “Whether it’s controlling the movement eccentrically against the weight of the springs or teaching the client how to stabilize while allowing dissociation movement of the arm or leg, the Stability Chair is a great tool.”

2. Improve Balance & Coordination for All Ages

For older adults or athletes, the Stability Chair can be adapted to provide progressive balance challenges. Adding Rotational Disks or Stability Cushions increases instability, helping clients build core control and lower-body strength. Cheryl recommends the following exercises to effectively target these areas:

Footpress on Long Box to target glutes and hamstrings
Standing Leg Press to enhance lower-body stability

How the Stability Chair Complements the Reformer

After introducing clients to the STOTT PILATES^® Biomechanical Principles, Cheryl usually starts them on the Reformer. The large size of the Reformer’s carriage helps her clients feel stable, secure and fully supported. She uses the Stability Chair to add in a different element of balance and stability work.

“When training a variety of clients, it’s extremely beneficial to have access to multiple training tools. What works for one client may not be the best option for another. Having multiple ‘tools’ in your toolbox allows for a variety of training, but also the ability to train a variety of clients.”

Why the Stability Chair is Worth Trying

The Split-Pedal Stability Chair proves that great things come in small packages. Whether you’re looking to build strength, improve mobility or add a new challenge to your workouts, this chair delivers. Its adaptability makes it a smart choice for trainers, rehab specialists and home users alike.

If you’re ready to shake up your routine and target muscles in ways traditional workouts might not, the Stability Chair is worth exploring. Give it a try and see how a compact piece of equipment can make a big impact.

Shop the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair

Source: https://www.merrithew.com/blog/post/2025-02-11/why-every-fitness-studio-rehab-clinic-needs-a-merrithew-stability-chair