Contrology® Handles Made of Leather, Wood, and Wire, Wow!
Handles have a significant impact on the Pilates experience. On a classic reformer, using leather straps, you can expect the handle to serve just that – for holding in your hand. This is because we use leather straps or extension straps for the legs, not loops for the feet. This allows for a smooth transition from one exercise to another. There is no need to adjust straps or change handles.
The Contrology equipment line now offers three classic handles to choose from. Depending on your preference, you can opt for a leather handle with a wooden grip, a leather handle with a contoured grip, or a wire handle with a contoured grip.

Contrology Handles
While Contrology reformers come standard with leather handles featuring a smooth wooden grip, it’s certainly fun to experiment with other options. For a simple handle, the leather handle with a contoured grip works great. This handle fits comfortably in the hand, and the contouring of the wood allows for more precise positioning of the hand and wrist in all exercises. The leather becomes softer over time, providing a truly comfortable fit.
The wire Contrology handles pay homage to the original handles that could be found in Joe Pilates’ studio. Wire handles with contoured grips were likely a common accessory for exercise equipment in the 1950s and 60s. Jay Grimes recalls seeing such handles in Joe’s studio. However, he claims that the contoured handle was made of Bakelite, not wood. (Bakelite, invented in 1907, was the first plastic made from truly synthetic components.) So, if you are a fan of “old-school” style accessories, these handles may be right for you. They can be used on the Contrology reformer, Ped-o-Pul, Arm Chair, and Cadillac Arm Springs.

Wire Contrology Handles
Contrology handles made of leather with a smooth grip and wire or leather handles with contoured grips bring variety to your Pilates exercises. Discover the subtle differences and see how they will affect your Pilates experience.
Check out our Contrology equipment (classic)!
This text is a translation of the article https://thecore.pilates.com/leather-contoured-wire-handles/
I’m Ana Cabán, a passionate Pilates practitioner with over 25 years of experience. I earned my Romana Kryzanowska certification in 1998 and have been passionate about sharing my innovative vision of Pilates and holistic wellness ever since. As a Contrology® by Balanced Body brand ambassador, I’m thrilled to promote the “La Buena Life” philosophy, inspiring women to live full and fulfilling lives. My bilingual (English and Spanish) DVDs and streaming services have reached over 6 million people worldwide.

