Jumpboard Pilates: How a Reformer Jump Board Works

Jumping while lying down sounds odd until you see it. A jump board is a padded panel fixed upright at the foot end of a reformer. It lets you jump horizontally, with springs rather than gravity setting the load.

How does jumpboard Pilates work?

You lie on the carriage with your feet against the board and press away, letting the carriage travel back along the rails. The springs draw you toward the board again and you land with the feet, then push off once more. The moving carriage takes each landing instead of a hard floor.

That changes what jumping asks of you. The load comes from the spring setting rather than from bodyweight dropping from a height, so an instructor can scale the same pattern up or down for different clients.

Why are jump boards model-specific?

Jump boards are model-specific because each reformer has its own foot-end geometry and mounting points. A board that fits one frame may not seat securely on another, even within a single brand. Always buy the board listed for your exact reformer model rather than one that looks similar.

• Peak Pilates casa, MVe and fit: one shared board fits all three and slides into place with no knobs to turn. It measures 20.5 in by 17 in.
• Peak Pilates Artistry: a standard board for the wood line plus a dancer-style board, whose wider stance suits work in external rotation.
• Peak PilateSystem Deluxe: a dedicated PPS board.
• BASI Reformer and Reformer with Tower: a board held by two thumbscrews for quick fitting and removal.
• BASI Reformer Combo and Compact frames: each has its own board, because the mounting differs.

Which reformers include a jump board?

Many bundles include one, which saves matching it later. Among Elina machines, the Lignum, Nubium, HL, Elite Wood, Club, Master Instructor and Mentor packages all list a jump board. The Classic 86 in models include a padded classic platform too. Peak's casa Bundle, MVe Bundle and PilateSystem Deluxe Bundle include one as well.

Standalone machines often leave it out. Domo bundles vary in whether the box and jump board are included, so read the inclusion list on any folding home listing.

Choosing springs for jumping

Spring load sets how hard each push feels and how briskly the carriage brings you back to the board. Too little load can make landings feel loose. Too much turns the jump into a heavy press. A qualified instructor should set your starting springs and progress them, since the right setting depends on the person and the machine.

Safety basics on the board

• Seat the board fully and tighten any thumbscrews before lying down.
• Confirm the springs are hooked securely and the headrest is where your instructor wants it.
• Keep the area around the springs and the far end of the carriage clear of people, pets and props.
• Land with control through the whole foot. Stop if the carriage begins striking the end of the frame.

Save a separate accessory purchase by choosing from our reformer bundles, many of which include a jump board. Full specifications for each frame sit in Pilates reformers.