Ladder
design
The primary focus in designing the Shen Tao Ladders has been stability. Crafted from eight 8’ x 2 1/2″ x 1 1/8″ red oak shafts, these ladders bolt together to create a stable and secure frame, perfect for a wide variety of exercises. The extended travel length of the weight carts on their tracks allows practitioners to move up to30 feet away from the equipment, offering unparalleled flexibility. Unique features of the Shen Tao Ladders include their space-efficient design. When folded up, they intrude a mere 14 inches into the space when leaning against the wall, making them incredibly convenient for any setting.
Every wooden surface on the ladder has been meticulously routed, sanded, and finished to provide a smooth, rounded touch whenever the practitioner interacts with the equipment. The Shen Tao Ladders offer the greatest range of exercises of any piece in the Shen Tao catalog. They can be used in conjunction with both the bench and the stool and can be combined with Pilates apparatus for practitioners who prefer to work on the floor.
1st gen Ladder
The First Generation Ladder is a versatile piece of Pilates equipment designed to offer multiple angles of resistance for both weight and pulley systems, as well as an extensive range of options for spinal traction. It is constructed from eight red oak boards, each measuring 7’7″ x 2.5″ x 1 1/8″. When folded and leaned against the wall, the ladder extends no more than 12 inches into the room.
The ladder includes two bilaterally symmetrical weight carts that travel up and down on hardened aluminum T-tracks. An extender attachment can be mounted at either the top or foot of the ladder, providing additional options for resistance angles. The entire structure is finished with spray-on polyurethane for durability. The hardware used is sourced from the sailing industry, ensuring high quality. The rope is a 4 mm climbing accessory cord, which offers a degree of elasticity to the weight cart’s movement. For shipping, the ladder can be packed in either a heavy cardboard or light plywood case, with dimensions of 8’ x 34″ x 10.
2nd gen Ladder
This model is a lighter, more affordable and fully aluminum version of the Oak Ladder complete with a weight track system. The Aluminum Ladder is a highly versatile, portable, space efficient, and beautiful piece of workout equipment designed to allow instructors to experiment, innovate, and explore. Depth: 6” Width: 38”Cable. Length: 28 ft. Weight: 68 lbs. The Second Generation Ladder introduced
several improvements over its predecessor. The frame is constructed from 1.5-inch 6061 aluminum tubing with a1/8-inch wall thickness, ensuring durability and strength. Assembly required TIG welding, which provides precise and strong joints. The wheels of the weight cart were reconfigured to roll up and down on hardened steel rods. These adaptations reduced the unit’s weight to 72 pounds while maintaining the same functionality and dimensions as the first generation ladder. The round tubing can be spun on a lathe to achieve a mirror finish, and because it is aluminum, it can be anodized to any color.
Weight cart are designed to roll smoothly up and down on hardened steel rods, ensuring stability and ease of movement. This reconfiguration not only enhances the overall user experience but also contributes to the durability of the system. The weight cart system is integral to providing the multiple angles of resistance that the ladder offers. By adjusting the position of the weight carts, users can customize their workouts to target different muscle groups and achieve various levels of intensity. The use of high-quality materials, such as the hardened steel rods and precision-engineered wheels, ensures that the system operates smoothly and reliably over time.
Additionally, the weight cart system’s design helps in maintaining the ladder’s reduced weight of 72 pounds, making it easier to handle and set up without compromising on its structural integrity or functionality.
This thoughtful engineering allows users to enjoy a versatile and effective exercise tool that meets their fitness needs.
3rd gen Ladder
Building on the innovative design of the third generation mobile mini, our latest ladder combines functionality with elegance. The vertical structural elements are crafted from 2-inch diameter red oak dowels, meticulously sanded and finished on a wood lathe. The horizontal supports are made from robust 3-inch diameter oak cylinders, ensuring both strength and durability.
While this wooden ladder is 18 pounds heavier than its aluminum counterpart, the aesthetic enhancements are undeniable. Its all-wood construction gives it a refined appearance, making it resemble fine furniture rather than typical exercise equipment. Additionally, the assembly time is impressively efficient, taking approximately 50% less time compared to the aluminum version. Experience the perfect blend of form and function with our third generation wooden ladder.
Assembling the third generation wooden ladder is designed to be straight forward and efficient. To begin, gather all the components, including the vertical red oak dowels and the horizontal oak cylinders, and ensure you have the necessary tools, such as a screwdriver, wood glue, and a rubber mallet. Start by attaching the horizontal supports to the vertical dowels. Apply wood glue to the ends of the horizontal cylinders and insert them into the pre-drilled holes in the vertical dowels. Use the rubber mallet to gently tap them into place for a secure fit.
Once all horizontal supports are in place, allow the glue to dry for the recommended time to ensure the joints are strong and stable. After the glue has dried, inspect the ladder for any rough edges or excess glue, and sand these areas smooth to maintain the ladder’s polished appearance. Finally, check the overall stability and alignment of the ladder, making any necessary adjustments to ensure it is safe and ready for use. The entire assembly process is designed to be completed in about half the time it would take to assemble an aluminum ladder, thanks to the precision of the pre-fabricated components and the simplicity of the design.
extender
The extender is a versatile accessory that can be effortlessly installed in seconds at either the top or bottom of the ladder. It features a combination of roller bearings that function as a redirection pulley for the cable system and weight track, allowing for multiple angles of resistance to be utilized in a variety of exercises. The extender can be adjusted
horizontally, enabling the rope to be positioned at various alternate angles. Crafted from 1 1/8 – inch oak dowels and 2 ½” x 1 1/8” boards with a half inch round over, it is meticulously sanded to a smooth 220 grit and finished with a polyurethane spray. The total installation time is less than a minute.
videos
Ladder 1
