How Does the Flexia Pilates Sitting Box Compare to Other Brands?

A sitting box, also known as a Pilates box is a reformer accessory used to enhance your reformer workout. The sitting box can be used for a variety of exercises, ranging from stretching, to modification use, to upping your workout intensity. 

Why use a sitting box?

While you can get an amazing full body workout without a sitting box, having one gives you more options and increases the versatility of your reformer.

Below are some of the reasons why you may want to use a sitting box in your practice.

The Sitting Box Makes It Easier to Modify Many Pilates Exercises

Got tight hamstrings that make it hard to sit up straight?

You can sit on the sitting box for seated arm work to improve your posture and, therefore, your form, so you get the most out of the exercise.

The reformer box can also be used to modify exercises like the Pilates roll down. For example, if you tend to feel your lower back during that exercise, practicing it on the sitting box can improve your spinal mobility and core activation. 

The Sitting Box Gives You More Exercise Options

We love the Pilates reformer, but adding a sitting box gives you even more options.

Here are some of the ways that a reformer box can enhance your workout:

• You can do exercises on your stomach to strengthen your upper back muscles and glutes (aka all those muscles that help you maintain good posture!).
• You can do exercises lying on the box to build maximal core strength, including the Teaser, Series of 5, and creative plank variations.
• The reformer box gives you more options for standing balance and strength work.

This is all to say that if you want to get the most out of your reformer workouts, it is worth investing in a sitting box. 

Wondering which sitting box is best for you? Keep reading. 

Pros and Cons of Different Pilates Sitting Box Styles

Pilates boxes are commonly made out of wood and are upholstered for comfort. They may also be made out of foam. Depending on your specific needs, you might find that certain sitting boxes work better for you than others.

Flexia Pilates Sitting Box Compared to Other Wood and Upholstered Boxes

Our sitting box is constructed of wood with padded upholstery designed for comfort when sitting or lying down. While most sitting boxes are solid wood on the outside, the sides of our sitting box are constructed from wood slats.

These slats make our box lighter than the average wood and upholstered sitting box, which can be quite heavy. The slats also offer you multiple options for holding and adjusting the box, making it easier to handle than many other sitting boxes. This is particularly beneficial if you have a wrist, shoulder, neck, or lower back issue where you need to be thoughtful about how you pick up and move things. 

You might think that the slats would make our box less sturdy, but it actually has the same weight capacity as other wood and upholstered boxes and can support up to 350 pounds.

In terms of price, most upholstered and wood sitting boxes will cost from $350 to $475, with the Flexia sitting box falling within that range, with additional savings if you take advantage of our reformer accessories package. 

Flexia Sitting Box vs Foam Sitting Boxes

The biggest differences between a foam sitting box and a wood-and-upholstered box are weight and cost. Foam sitting boxes often cost about half as much as a wood box and typically weigh around 4.5 pounds,  compared to the Flexia sitting box, which weighs 19 pounds.

However, the foam box does have a few downsides. First, it may not feel as sturdy or as secure as a wooden, upholstered box and may be more prone to sliding. Additionally, it is not padded, so it is not as comfortable to sit or lie on and may cause discomfort across your hip bones or sit bones during use. It also doesn't offer many options for holding it, so if you have issues with grip, you may still struggle to move the box despite its light weight. 

If you want the lightest or least expensive box, then the foam box may be the way to go. However, it won’t fit the Flexia reformer as well as our box, which was designed for the Flexia Reformer's specific dimensions. 

Conversely, if you want a box with the sturdiness, comfort, and quality of an upholstered wood box but designed to be easy to handle, the Flexia Pilates box may be a good option for you.

Thinking of investing in a smart reformer for at-home? Check out our Smart At-Home Reformer Buying Guide or learn more about our reformer!