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If you've taken a Pilates class—or 10—you know there's a reason why so many people are obsessed with the workout. It probably has something to do with the Pilate's countless benefits or the fact that all you really need to do is roll out a mat to get a solid Pilates workout in.
That being said, if you're interested in taking your workout to the next level and willing to pay for an at-home gym experience, a Pilates reformer for home use is an excellent choice. The machine helps you increase your mobility, overall strength, core, and balance, says Sam Belle, Studio SWEAT onDemand's Pilates trainer. "Pilates moves the spine in all four planes of motion, and focuses on rebalancing the inevitable body imbalances we all have due to our daily activities and posture," Belle says.
Peep some of the best Pilates machines, below:
For some, using a Pilates reformer may even make workouts more comfortable. "Some people might not be able to get into a position on the mat using just their bodyweight," says Alysia Pope Ehret, a certified Pilates instructor and founder of PurelyYou, a virtual Pilates community and course.
"The springs [on a reformer] can add resistance, but they can also help support different parts of the body as well,"says Ehret. Whether you're a beginner or advanced learner who's ready to level up, check out the 12 best Pilates reformers to buy and add to your home gym right now, per customer reviews.
There are a few things to consider when making a Pilates reformer purchase, including quality, size, and price. Experts reiterate that when it comes to reformers, everything is relative to the person shopping—so definitely listen to yourself first.
According to Pilates instructor Amanda Blauer, real Pilates reformers include springs and are not going to be less than $500. Some reformer companies will make versions of Pilates reformers using bands instead of springs, which makes the machine less expensive. "A traditional reformer will have either four or five springs that connect the carriage—that piece that glides back and forth—to the end of the frame," Blauer says. "The spring resistance is really what gives it that amazing reformer feel and the springs should hold up for 10 years." If you want the real deal though, you need to invest in a more expensive piece of equipment—and springs. However, you'll be able to count on the machine for a long time—so it's not for nothing.
Blauer also notes that among Pilates reformers, there are two different styles to be aware of: classical and contemporary. A classical reformer is more similar to the exact piece of equipment designed by Joseph Pilates. If you're really dedicated to Joseph Pilates' craft, this might be the type of machine to look for. There's also the contemporary style of Pilates reformers, which adds resistance and even more tension to the springs. They're also compatible with non-traditional Pilates exercises and movements. "You can get really creative on the more contemporary reformers and kind of create your own variations of exercises," Blauer says. "I lean towards and prefer a contemporary one." Ehret also says you should consider whether you will want to add accessories to your reformer, such as a tower or a jump board.
Both Blauer and Ehret say that if you are going to invest in an at-home Pilates reformer, you should have some type of instruction on deck—whether that's a virtual class or a personal instructor. You should also take into account the size of your personal space. If you live in a one bedroom or studio apartment, a Cadillac—this has four posts—or a reformer with a tower is probably not the right choice for you. "If you need one that folds under a bed, pick that one," says Heather Andersen, founder and owner of New York Pilates. "If you have a big space, maybe pick one that’s an actual professional model that studios use. The most important thing is that you have one, so pick the reformer that works best for your living situation."
This sleek, wood-framed machine will blend perfectly into your mid-century modern aesthetic. It’s an excellent choice for taller people, too, given the longer length of its carriage. If it looks familiar, that's because this is the exact machine a lot of boutique studios use.
Rave Review: “This is the best investment I’ve made in a while! There is definitely sticker shock when you hit the purchase button. But if you do the math, it makes sense! It is exactly the same reformer as [the one] at my local Pilates studio, so it’s easy to move forward with my practice."
This is one of the most affordable Pilates reformers you'll find, but that doesn't mean you won't still get a quality workout from it. The AeroPilates 4420 is designed with a mixture of light to heavy resistance cords and an upgraded pulling system. Plus, if you're new to the Pilates world, it comes with four workout DVDs to follow along and keep your form on point. Sure, you could look some up on YouTube, but why not throw it back to the '00s for a while?
Rave Review: "I have never wanted to write a review so badly and I usually don't! This is the GREATEST thing to happen to me. I LOVE Pilates. It is super light and works for almost all of the box exercises. This home reformer is a game-changer for me. I highly recommend."
According to both Ehret and Blauer, Allegro is a top-notch brand for reformers, especially if you're looking for something that will fit seamlessly into your home. The Allegro Stretch Reformer comes with five springs, so you can do anything from stretching and Pilates to strength training and muscle balance.
Rave Review: "This is the most GORGEOUS reformer I have ever seen. It is a studio-quality reformer and I have it sitting right in the middle of my living room. Balanced Body has literally thought of everything when designing this thing."
This reformer has hundreds of five-star reviews from seasoned pros and beginners alike. The Pro Reformer is particularly great for newbies because it’s a durable machine that can help you progress. People say it's pretty easy to assemble without a pro as long as you have a helping hand, too.
Rave Review: “It's easy to set up and will take two people a good hour. It's very well made and requires little space to use. When you use it, your core is constantly engaged and adjustments are easy."
Ready to take your Pilates practice up a notch? Consider this next-level reformer the ultimate choice for advanced practitioners. It comes with five strength springs with three resistance levels each. Plus, its vertical frame can be easily folded up to make space when you're not using it. The comfort footbar, foam padding, and platform extenders are just the cherries on top.
The best part? It arrives at your door fully assembled.
Rave Review: "I’ve been doing Pilates for the past eight years at my gym, but had to quit due to increased rates. This reformer is smaller as it is meant for the home not a studio. It's still very sturdy and doesn’t limit workouts. Plus, the low height makes difficult balance moves less dangerous."
With its price point and fairly basic offerings, this reformer is great for those new to the world of Pilates. It still has everything you want out of a machine, but scales back on the luxury offerings and resistance capacity.
Rave Review: "Obviously it’s not a $5,000 reformer, but it has all of the basic functions that you’d need. The price of it is great."
This reformer might be the next best addition to your home gym. The leather base is breathable, water-resistant, and tear resistant. It's also made from eco-friendly wood that hold up in durability. Plus, the aluminum frame won't bend or deform over time.
Rave review: "Having this reformer at home makes getting a workout in easy, and it's quicker than driving to a studio. The investment will pay for itself, as in-studio classes are expensive. I feel stronger, leaner, and stand straighter. This reformer has been a game-changer for me."
While still pricey at almost $2,000, reviewers say that for the quality you get, this Pilates reformer is still a great deal since it includes so many valuable features. It's designed with an infinity bar, five-position footbar, jumping bar, padded foot rest, and more. All of that, and reviewers say it's pretty quiet.
Rave Review: "This is a great price for a heavy-duty reformer. It compares very well against the big names in studio-grade reformers (at one-third of the price). You can see where some costs were cut, but no serious deal breakers. The overall feel and function of the reformer is great."
This top-rated, popular reformer is super portable and can easily be slid under beds or into closets. As small as it may look, it still manages to feature four tension springs, and you have the ability to further customize it by separately adding on front handles, bungee attachments, weighted poles, pulley cables, and more.
Editor Review: “The Microformer is the perfect reformer for small spaces, and at a reasonable price point. I can easily slide it under my couch or queen bed with the convenient wheels, and it fits and functions perfectly in my small NYC living room for workouts. I also appreciate how customizable the machine is, with additional handlebars and cables you can add depending on the workout moves and styles you want to try." —Jacqueline Andriakos, Women's Health executive health and fitness director
If you sweat a lot, fear no more. This machine is equipped with breathable, soft leather padding so you can easily wipe away any excess sweat when your workout is finished. Plus, it has five high-strength cords that are fully adjustable to meet you where you are in your Pilates journey. What's more, the machine is foldable, so it can be easily stored when you're done with your workout.
Rave Review: "My local pilates club was getting hard to schedule. I bought this, and I'm getting more consistent workouts in than ever before. It's easy to assemble, small enough for my apartment, and it can fold up to store if needed."
This reformer has been on the market for over 20 years, proving it’s truly a mainstay in the reformer game. The Allegro also features a locking footbar for added stability, and it's designed with four horizontal and four vertical positions to customize your experience (beginners, this one's for you!). Bonus: Reviewers rave about how easy it is to set up.
If you're open to investing a bit more in a machine with more frills, check out the new and improved Allegro 2 Reformer.
Rave Review: “I don't know why this machine doesn't get more attention! The quality is exactly what you'd expect from any Balanced Body reformer—best in class. It's a step up from their home reformer, the IQ, but not as expensive as the Allegro 2 or studio reformers."
If you don't like assembling things yourself—understood. This Flexia Pilates machine comes with optional in-home assembly. Once it's up and going, the machine can prop up against the wall for easy storage. What sets this reformer apart is the tracking built-in that allows it to quantify flexibility and stability. While classical in features, the carriage is built wider to welcome all body sizes.
You also have access to an online studio when you buy the machine, so you can gradually progress and elevate your Pilates skills. It features weekly classes for just $39 a month.
Rave review: "Not only is this reformer absolutely beautiful in my living room, it's comfortable to exercise on, too. As a longtime Pilates purist, I appreciate the attention to detail and high-quality craftsmanship in the classical machine. It makes me feel like I have a boutique studio at home, and I look forward to wheeling it out and sweating it out."—Jennifer Nied, Women's Health Fitness Editor
For the past year, Women’s Health editors, including our associate commerce editor Lily Wohlner and editorial assistants Sabrina Talbert and Olivia Evans, researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated Pilates reformer machines. Our team consulted six Pilates pros, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best meal delivery services for a wide range of dietary preferences, budgets, and family sizes. One editor even chimed in with her first-hand review.
A Pilates reformer is actually a tool that was created synonymously with the practice itself by Joseph Pilates. So, practicing Pilates with a reformer is how it was meant to be done back in the day! If you ever do Pilates without a reformer, it's all inspired by moves that were classically done with one, says Blauer.
"A reformer supports your body," Blauer says. "It can assist people that are just getting started [in their Pilates practice] to learn where [their] body should be in space and [it gives] that extra guidance."
Reformers can also make a training session a bit more challenging for someone with more Pilates experience, says Carrie Minter, a certified Pilates instructor and founder of Carrie’s Pilates Plus in Los Angeles.
“The reformer machine works your entire body,” Minter continues. “The springs and cables on it change the tension, so you get much more of a workout than you would on just a mat."
Classically-trained ballet dancer and Pilates instructor Melissa Bentivoglio says that while mat Pilates can be practiced in low to high intensity, your brain and body activate totally different muscles (called stabilizers) when you're on a reformer. This allows for a more challenging full-body workout.
"Your balance and focus are challenged by being elevated on the reformer," she says. "Through small, controlled movements and customizable weight resistances, you can strengthen, tone, and build endurance all in one workout." Doing this allows you to implement safe, progressive overloads for your fitness needs.
Pilates reformer machines are not exactly cheap—the best ones are typically over $2,000, though you can certainly find budget buys without any bells and whistles for $200 to $400.
So, if you already have the cash or plan on swapping this machine for your gym membership, it'll definitely be worth the cost over time.
"Doing reformer Pilates at home also allows you to go at your own pace in an intuitive, personalized way with the best technology available at your fingertips—if you get a quality machine," says Bentivoglio.
"Additionally, in-person classes can be large or too fast paced for the instructor to be able to check or guide all participants' form," she says. "That's why it's important that beginners stick to beginner classes [until] they're fully comfortable with the machine."
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Olivia Evans (she/her) is an editorial assistant at Women’s Health. Her work has previously appeared in The Cut and Teen Vogue. She loves covering topics where culture and wellness intersect. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, running, and watching rom-coms.
Sabrina is an editorial assistant for Women’s Health. When she’s not writing, you can find her running, training in mixed martial arts, or reading.
Jennifer Nied is the fitness editor at Women’s Health and has more than 10 years of experience in health and wellness journalism. She’s always out exploring—sweat-testing workouts and gear, hiking, snowboarding, running, and more—with her husband, daughter, and dog.
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