I am helping my studio owner, who is at home with three small children, look for a new Cadillac. My favourite manufacturer is retired and no longer making equipment (he was a small one person business). We're looking at Balanced Body and I wonder if anyone here has one and if you are happy with it, or what drawbacks it might have.

We have a really old Stott frame in her studio at the moment but I am unhappy with it; the leg spring hooks are too far apart, and the springs are all either too light, or too heavy for their intended purpose. I could potentially go with the frame we have and just buy springs - that is a more affordable option and one I could live with (although I find the frame flimsy and short) and in that case, any referrals to springs that you know and love?

Pilates Core - do you know anyone in Toronto who has a BB Caddy I could try?

I'm pretty sure Barbara at Retrofit Bodyworks does. http://retrofit.ca

FWIW, Stott's equipment has gotten a LOT better in the past while. Do you have a "STOTT PILATES" branded cadillac or just a "STOTT"? If it doesn't mention the word "pilates" on it, ie pre-lawsuit, then it's almost certainly been redesigned since you purchased it. If you don't find a BB that you like, it might be worth testing out a Stott again. Unfortunately I can't help you since I only have a half-caddy, though.

Oh - I think Body Harmonics uses BB equipment, too. http://www.bodyharmonics.com

Holy cow - I worked at Retrofit for two years and I didn't remember that! I did like that Cadillac just fine!

It looks like we're just getting some springs for now. Sigh.

I think the Caddy frame she has is quite old - over 10 years. I'm really long and I find the Stott tables too short for me. Also, I find the push through bar is set too high. Has that been rectified? Most of my client there are in their 70's and have shoulder issues and I have to put a box on the table to do Swan.

I don't know - I'm not sure what height your push-thru bar is normally set at. The tables are pretty long, though.

That's a good question and one I'd like to pursue. I'm going to measure the distance between the push through bar when it's hanging, and the bed, on both the Stott and Coombs Cadillac and get back to you. I'd be really curious if others could do the same.
I am not in the studio for the next two weeks (on holiday) so I will report 3rd week of Aug.

I just missed out on a second hand BB Cadillac! Darn.