I was excited to try the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair. I’ve been on the hunt for a pilates chair since it’s my favorite piece of equipment.
What makes this chair different is the split pedal design. Instead of one solid platform, each side moves independently unless you connect them. That changes how you load each leg, how you stabilize, and how obvious your imbalances become. For runners, or really anyone who has spent time dealing with one side doing more work than the other, that is a really good feature. It’s used in studios and rehab settings, which means it’s built for repeat use and not just occasional workouts.
Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair Quick Facts:
- Weight: 82 lbs
- Dimensions: 31 in (W) x 33 in (D) x 55.5 in (H with handles)
- Seat height: 24.3 in
- Weight capacity: 350 lbs
- Pedals: split design with removable dowel to connect
- Springs: 4 total (2 light, 2 heavy) with multiple hook positions
- Frame: double-steel construction
- Handles: adjustable, removable, locking
- Mobility: built-in wheels for repositioning
- Materials: dense foam padding with vinyl upholstery
- Price: $1,900–$2,000 USD
- Warranty: limited lifetime on frame, 2 years parts, 90 days upholstery
Questions I’ve been asked about the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair:
What is the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair?
It’s a studio-grade Pilates chair built around two independently moving pedals. They can move separately or be connected into one surface, depending on how you set it up. Merrithew positions it for everything from general strength to rehab work, mostly because of how adjustable the resistance is and how many positions you can work from.
Is the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair good for home use?
It can be, but it assumes you already know what you’re doing or you’re working with guidance. The size works for home gyms. The price and learning curve are what push it out of casual territory.
Is the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair good for rehab?
This is one of the reasons it exists in the first place. The split pedal lets you see left-right differences in a way that’s hard to ignore, and the spring system makes it easier to control load without needing a lot of external weight.
About Merrithew:
Merrithew was founded in 1988 and based in Toronto. Over time they’ve built out both the equipment side and the education side together. They’ve trained more than 90,000 instructors across over 135 countries.
The education piece is a huge part of what they do. Merrithew is behind STOTT PILATES along with other programs like Total Barre and CORE. They’re also shaping how people are taught to use it, from studio instructors to rehab settings.
They design and manufacture their own equipment as well, with everything from Reformers to smaller accessories.
About the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair:
There are two things that make the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair unique:
- The split pedal. It’s in the name, but there are not many quality chairs that have split pedal and you can really work to load each leg.
- The handles. Things like lunges on the chair can be very challenging without handles, but this gives more access to users so you don’t have to completely focus on balance and can learn the movement.
The Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair is built around the split pedal but it one of the most quality chairs out there. The double-steel frame adds weight, which is part of why it stays stable when one side is loaded more than the other. At 82 pounds, it’s not light, but it’s also not something that shifts under you.
The spring system comes with two light and two heavy springs, and you can change where they hook in to adjust how the resistance feels through the movement.
Handles adjust and lock in place without movement. They can also be removed completely, which opens up more exercises but also changes how supported things feel. The pedals are padded and covered in vinyl, which is standard for studio equipment. Easy to clean, not delicate, not something you think about unless it’s done poorly.
The chair also includes wheels, which helps because of the weight. You can move it, but you’re not going to want to carry it across a room regularly.
My Experience with the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair:
The Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair arrived and it was fairly easy to put together. I was thinking it might be more complicated but if you take your time, it’s not too complicated. Once it’s put together, it is sturdy. Probably the most important factor me is the quality. Some lower quality chairs, you aren’t going to be able to stand or put weight on without fear they might fall apart. The Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair is one of the highest quality chairs I’ve tried.
As mentioned above, the split pedal removes the ability to rely on one side. That’s something runners deal with all the time. One side pushes a little more, one side stabilizes a little less, and you don’t catch it until you’re injured. But the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair isn’t designed for just runners, it’s designed for everyone.
I’ve now used the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair for several months and it’s my favorite chair (and not just because it’s the only one I own).
There are a few things I appreciate:
- The durability. I like that I feel safe when using it. I don’t think it’s going to collopse or fall apart.
- The split pedals. I don’t use them all of the time but it’s a nice to have feature, especially if you are recovering from something.
- The handles. These are probably my favorite feature. While I can do standing work and lunges without the handles, they are genuinely nice to have (and very secure). You can work on getting the movement work in without also adding balance too. Plus, they can support a lot…for instance I can do full tricep dips on them.
Cost
Is the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair worth it? This is where most people will decide yes or no without reading anything else. Around $1,900 to $2,000 is a lot.
If you think about it, many pilates studios cost anywhere from $30-$50 per class. If you’re using it regularly, either in a studio or at home with a clear plan, it can pay itself off. The build quality is there, the adjustability is there, and it’s designed for repeated use without feeling like it’s wearing down quickly. I think of any pilates chair, the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair is one of the highest quality.
Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair Conclusion:
I am a big fan of the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair. It is definitely not the cheapest option out there but it’s one of the sturdiest. You don’t have to worry about it falling apart while you’re on top and you can do a lot of work that you can’t quite do on other chairs.
Who should buy the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair
- Pilates instructors or studio owners who need reliable, daily-use equipment
- Experienced Pilates users who already know how they’ll use a chair in training
- Rehab or corrective exercise settings focused on balance and asymmetry
- Home users with dedicated space and consistent training habits
Who should not buy the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair?
- Beginners who are still figuring out Pilates basics
- Anyone looking for a low-cost or occasional-use piece of equipment
- People buying mainly because of the compact size
- Anyone expecting it to replace multiple types of equipment
You can purchase the Merrithew Split-Pedal Stability Chair and see all gear reviews here.