I’m someone who, despite my best efforts to be a tidy minimalist, has accumulated more fitness equipment than any one person truly needs. During the pandemic, my neighborhood Pilates gym was forced to close, I did the first thing I could think of: rent one of their enormous Balanced Body reformers and cram it into my too-small bedroom. (Who needs access to their hallway, anyway?)
The rental fee for the reformer was high, though. While having one of the best professional Pilates reformers at my disposal enabled me to practice challenging moves that I might have otherwise been embarrassed to attempt in class, I canceled the rental after a few months.
Luckily, there are a handful of affordable reformers for all levels. So, whether you’re new to reformer Pilates or take the prime seat at your weekly class, you might’ve become curious about getting an affordable Pilates reformer for your very own. Do it; they’re worth every inch of space.
What are the benefits of doing Pilates?
“The Pilates reformer is one of the most versatile and effective pieces of workout equipment out there,” says Elaine Hayes, owner and founder of MNT Studios, a Pilates and barre studio in California that also offers digital programming. “There are virtually endless moves that can be performed on it for full-body sculpting, strengthening, toning and lengthening.”
Robyn Williams, Barry’s instructor based in New York City, sees endless reasons to add Pilates into any fitness routine. “Since the principles of Pilates complement our HIIT element of Barry’s, I often incorporate Pilates movements into the floor portion of my classes, especially when focusing on core strengthening sections of my programming,” Williams says. “Low-impact and stabilizing workouts are super beneficial for the maintenance of our muscles; a great way to train on your off days.”
While the machine and movements might look intimidating, it’s truly for everyone. “Reformer Pilates lengthens, tones and strengthens the body in a low-impact way, which means anyone at any age, fitness and experience level can do it,” Hayes says.
Best Pilates reformers, according to experts
“I love the simplicity of the design. Beginners will have a breeze of a time familiarizing with this reformer without feeling overwhelmed by its structure,“ Williams mentions.
There are built-in wheels attached to the base, so you can slide it underneath a bed or couch when you’re not using it. It comes with four tension springs and four workout DVDs.
“The size of this reformer lends itself to working [on Pilates] in the safe space of their own home,” according to Williams. “The DVD exercises are a great catalyst for any first-timer who needs to acclimate to the equipment.”
More Pilates reformers to shop
"I think beginners to advanced levels of fitness could definitely benefit from this machine! It’s compact, lightweight and simple to set up and use," wrote one Amazon reviewer.
It comes with all the equipment necessary, including resistance bands, push-up attachments and even a phone holder for following videos or workout guides.
It also features an adjustable foot bar and set of ropes, so you can break a good sweat or take it easy if you prefer.
Easily store this reformer machine’s accessories in the included carrying case, which makes them easy to conceal rather than stick out in your apartment.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve only ever done mat Pilates and feel like your workouts are stalling, “investing in a reformer will open up a whole new world of possibilities for you with endless moves and variations to have fun with and keep things interesting,” Hayes says.
The spring tension makes it a seriously challenging workout, too. “It’s not only great for building strength, but also for cardio and stretching every part of your body,” she adds. If you’re looking to strengthen your body, get more flexible and feel amazing in your body, having a reformer at your fingertips is a great idea.
Once you’ve found a piece of equipment that will fit in your space (most reformers are around 7 to 8 feet long and roughly 2 to 2 ½ feet wide, though plenty are geared toward small spaces and can be rolled away), make sure it’s sturdy enough to keep you safe, and built well. “Look for ropes with loops on the end (preferably two lengths of loops), at least five springs with varying tensions, an adjustable foot bar and a carriage that is comfortable to lie and kneel on,” Hayes recommends.
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Gaiam Restore Mini Band Kit (Set of 3)
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How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products and sales out there. We use our own personal experiences with products and brands to make shopping easier for our readers.
Here, we relied on expertise from fitness instructors and those knowledgeable with Pilates to provide insight as to which products and features are best for an at-home set-up.
Meet the experts
- Elaine Hayes is the owner and founder of MNT Studios, a Pilates and barre studio in California.
- Robyn Williams is a Barry’s instructor based in New York City.
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