Quick Answer: A foldable Pilates reformer is a full-length machine that replicates studio workouts but folds up to save space at home. They’re ideal for apartments and smaller homes in .
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Space is precious — especially if you live in an apartment or smaller home. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up the dream of having a professional Pilates reformer in your own living room.
In , foldable Pilates reformers have become one of the biggest trends in home fitness. They’re sturdy, easy to store, and often surprisingly affordable compared to commercial machines. They’re also sometimes called compact Pilates machines or foldable Pilates beds, depending on who you ask.
But are they really worth it? And how do you know which one to choose?
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about foldable reformers — and whether they’re the perfect fit for your Pilates practice at home.
A foldable Pilates reformer is a full-length Pilates machine designed to give you the same workout as a traditional studio reformer — but with the ability to fold up and save space when not in use.
Unlike cheaper “portable” machines that often feel flimsy, today’s foldable models are smooth, stable, and professional-grade. They’re a genuine alternative to the studio experience. Curious how Pilates reformers can help with health and posture? Check out this guide from Verywell Fit for an overview of how reformers work and why they’re effective.
If space is tight, a foldable reformer lets you reclaim your living room or spare bedroom after your workout. Many fold to less than half their length and slide under a bed or into a closet.
Commercial Pilates machines can easily cost $8,000–$10,000. A high-quality foldable reformer like the Eco Warrior starts at just $2,399 — a fraction of the price, yet still sturdy and smooth to use.
Modern foldable machines use strong springs and high-quality bearings, giving you a workout that feels like a studio session — minus the noise or wobbling.
Many foldable reformers, including the Eco Warrior and Queen, come with valuable extras like a jumpboard and sitting box included free. That’s hundreds of dollars of added value.
It’s easy to get confused by the term “portable Pilates reformer.” But foldable reformers and portable reformers are not the same:
Feature Portable Pilates Machine Foldable Pilates Reformer Price Range $300–$800 $2,000–$3,000 Build Quality Plastic or lightweight metal Durable metal frame, commercial springs Carriage Smoothness Limited / bumpy Studio-quality smooth glide Exercise Variety Basic moves only Full studio repertoire Storage Small but less sturdy Folds away but remains sturdyBottom line: A foldable reformer is a true Pilates machine, capable of replicating a studio workout. Portable reformers are more like temporary solutions for occasional users.
At The Core Collab USA, our Eco Foldable Pilates Reformer has become a favorite for home workouts.
Don’t take our word for it:
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"I live in a tiny apartment and this foldable Pilates reformer is a game-changer. It’s compact, beautiful, and super smooth to use." – Sarah W.
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"Way better than the portable Pilates reformer I had before. The carriage is smooth and the accessories are high quality." – Tina L.
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"The Eco is quiet, folds away easily, and looks amazing in my space. It feels like a studio reformer but fits in my home." – Amanda J.
???? Explore the Eco Warrior Foldable Pilates Reformer here.
Want to see how smooth and quiet the Folding Eco is? Check out this quick demo:
Yes! High-quality models like the Eco Warrior use commercial-grade springs and strong frames. They’re built to handle daily workouts just like a studio machine.
Absolutely. You can perform the entire Pilates repertoire, including jumpboard work, core exercises, leg springs, and more.
Most fold down to around half their length and stand upright. The Eco Warrior, for example, folds small enough to slide into a closet or corner space.
If you’re serious about Pilates but tight on space, a foldable Pilates reformer is worth every penny. The Eco Warrior and Queen Folding Reformer bring studio-level quality into your home — without the giant price tag or permanent footprint.
→ Browse our collection of folding Pilates reformers and discover which one fits your lifestyle best in .
It's true that my love for all things Pilates knows no bounds, and I'm honestly thrilled that the practice is enjoying a wave of popularity right now. Thanks, in part, to its A-list celebrity endorsements (Harry Styles, Adele, Hailey Bieber, Jen An - need we go on?) and social media, the century-old method of strengthening and lengthening has seemingly never been as popular, with Google searches for the term at breakout every month.
Unlike some TikTok crazes, the workout delivers legitimate benefits - studies (such as this one, published in the Journal of Physiology & Behaviour) show that the benefits of Pilates span both physical and psychological benefits, including improved core strength, balance and posture and stress relief, too. It's easy to see how so many of us are hooked, and with what seems like a new iteration every week (wall Pilates, contemporary Pilates, Cadillac Pilates and Tower Pilates, we're looking at you), you're sure to find a style that suits you.
While I'm partial to pretty much all variations of the trending workout, it's safe to say that one method in particular has my heart forever: Reformer Pilates. An hour spent stretching and contorting my body courtesy of the pulleys, springs and carriage of a Reformer machine is pretty much heaven in my eyes, and like its mat-based counterpart, it's great for body and mind. While research into Reformer Pilates itself is limited, some studies (like this one, published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science) show that Reformer Pilates in particular is beneficial for lowering cholesterol and insulin resistance, alongside maintaining a healthy body composition.
There is a downside, though. A regular Reformer Pilates habit can come at an eye-watering cost, with classes setting you back upwards of £30 a session or more, if you fancy a coveted spot in an uber-cool London studio. So, when I was invited to try an at-home Reformer Pilates machine, I literally jumped at the chance (using carefully controlled, precise movements, naturally). Would an at-home machine yield the same mind-body benefits as my IRL classes? Would the novelty wear off? And - importantly - where on earth would I keep it?
If you want to learn more, please visit our website foldable pilates reformer.
Keep scrolling to find out if the Reformer fitted into my life (and my home), plus how my body and mind felt after three months of testing. Don't miss our Editor's picks of the best at-home Reformer Pilates machines and best Pilates socks socks for your practice, too. Best Pilates exercises, at the ready.
If the talk of an at-home Reformer machine has left you wondering what this looks like (and how on earth they fit in your home), allow us to explain. Much like the machines you'll be familiar with from studio classes, at-home Reformers consist of a moving carriage that looks a little like a bed (and in fact, the original Reformer machine was indeed a bed), with a headrest, weighted springs and pulleys attached.
"An at-home Reformer machine is a piece of Pilates equipment designed for home use, mirroring what is available in a studio," explains Pilates instructor Aleksandra Warburton. "It features a sliding carriage, differently weighted springs which you can adjust for resistance, and straps to assist or challenge movements, allowing for a wide variety of Pilates-based exercises, which target the whole body."
The difference with an at-home versus in-studio machine is, inevitably, the size and storage options. While it's totally possible to invest in a larger Cadillac (four post) machine, most of us will be looking for a piece on wheels, sitting low to the ground and that folds away for storage.
That's what the machine I tested was like - the Metro IQ from Balanced Body promises to be one of the easiest to shorten for storage, extending to 98 inches (249cm) during usage and folding down to 62 inches (157.48cm) when you're keen to put away. It also features handy wheels to make moving it around your space even easier.
Other need-to-knows: all of their machines feature five of their trademark springs (three red, one blue, and one yellow for a range of up to 46 tension options) and soft touch ropes, meaning that not only does the machine let you comfortably and easily adjust your settings. but it'll also be quieter than other at-home machine options.
It also comes with a two year warranty and weighs only 85lbs (or 39kg). While you can't add legs or the Tower add on to the Metro IQ Reformer, it is one of the most affordable options on the market, with some retailing for as much as three times the price.
As you might expect, when used properly, the benefits of an at-home Reformer Pilates practice are much the same as attending a class IRL - with the added upside of harnessing these perks from the comfort of your own home.
"The main benefit of an at-home Reformer Pilates machine is convenience," agrees Warburton. "You can enjoy a full-body Pilates workout from home without needing to attend a studio. It allows you to tailor your routine and helps to support you in building strength, flexibility, and core stability. Plus, it's great for muscle toning and improving overall posture, as with any Pilates style."
However, the practice does come with some drawbacks. "The main drawback is cost—Reformer machines can be expensive, especially really good ones," agrees Pilates instructor and founder of Chloe's Pilates, Chloe Hodgson. " It’s a great idea to invest in a high-quality machine that offers smooth carriage movement and adjustable resistance settings to match your fitness level and goals. Also, they do require space, so you’ll need a dedicated area to use and store the machine. Another consideration is that without an instructor's guidance, it may be harder to self-correct form or alignment, which can lead to less effective workouts or even injury if you’re not careful."
Full disclosure: Reformer Pilates does have some barriers to accessibility, and having an at-home machine by no means counteracts this. There's no denying it's an expensive piece of kit, and the cost is likely prohibitive for many of us, even when balanced against the cost of a weekly or fortnightly studio class.
That said, if you are in the market for an investment, the experts advise you to spend at least some time in an instructor-led Pilates studio first. "I'd tentatively say that an at-home Reformer isn't really suitable for everybody," cautions Warburton. "While home Reformers can, in theory, be used by most people, having some prior exposure to Reformer Pilates (through a group class or even a one-to-one) is strongly advisable. This ensures you understand how to use the machine safely, which is key, and how it should feel and how to perform exercises with proper form, reducing the possible risk of injury."
Subject to this caveat, if your budget (and floor space) allows, an at-home Reformer machine can be a fantastic addition to an at-home fitness regime, offering a low-impact, joint-friendly workout for Pilates aficionados. "With the right knowledge and approach, an at-home Reformer can be an amazing tool for building strength, improving flexibility, and enhancing your overall Pilates practice," notes Hodgson.
Having practised both mat and Reformer Pilates for a number of years now, I jumped at the chance to try a Reformer machine of my very own. As I mentioned above, I was lucky enough to be able to get hold of the super compact and lightweight Balanced Body Metro IQ Reformer.
As soon as it arrived I was itching to get it set up - but, full disclosure, I did have to enlist some help to get me started. Thankfully, it came with pretty clear instructions, but I'd say it's a two-person job, if only because it's fairly heavy.
Once set up, I found it surprisingly similar in feel to the machines I'm used to in class. The springs were satisfyingly weighty, adding a lovely resistance to my moves. Initially, I searched for a YouTube at-home Reformer workout, but (even as a seasoned Pilates-goer) without an instructor to guide me, I found the moves tricky to follow, and I wasn't really sure if I was doing them right. As it turns out, there really is no substitute for a hands-on, real-life teacher.
However, I reached out to to the experts (a serious perk of my job, which I realise isn't available to everyone) and, following a fantastic one-to-one online session with Balanced Body's Education Programme Co-ordinator, Christine Crooks, I felt way more confident as I glute bridged and stretched my way through a workout. Yep - I even felt the infamous Pilates shake.
Suitably at ease with both setting up the machine and working out on it, I vowed to use it at least once a week. The moves I was most excited to try included some foot mobility work, which Crooks assured me would improve my running and strength work. Having the machine set up underneath my TV was actually a stroke of genius, too - being able to distract myself with a favourite show while doing core work was a bonus.
I'll level with you - I didn't use the Reformer as much this month as I had the previous month, but this was mainly due to it being my children's summer holidays (I challenge anyone to set up an at home machine and have time/space to use it during August) and I was struck down with a rather nasty bout of Covid for a couple of weeks, too.
That said, as I was recovering and starting to gently move my body again, the Reformer really came into its own as I was able to use it to stretch my spine and elongate my muscles after a while of sitting and lying in bed, perfect for the week when I wasn't quite ready to attempt anything too cardio-heavy.
I also loved how handy its design was for easy, foldaway storage. The wheels made it a dream to get out and put away, too.
Back to full strength and fitness, hopping on the Reformer has become second nature to me, even if just for a quick five-minute cool-down stretch after a run, or to mobilise my spine after sitting at my desk all day.
For me, it hasn't quite replaced an in-person class, as I love the interaction of working out with other people - plus, those tiny tweaks an instructor makes to your form and technique really do make all the difference.
But it doesn't have to be an either/or, as Crooks explains. "Speaking as someone who likes an accountability partner (or community) there is huge value in recognizing how you will be most successful in your physical and mindful practice," she tells MC UK. "If you enjoy the social aspect of going to a studio, why deprive yourself of that?! And, on the other hand, if you prefer to practice on your own at home, then go for it. Either way, engaging in a consistent, mindful practice is going to be beneficial."
Will I continue to use it? Absolutely - but I would say that it's best suited for those of you who absolutely love home workouts and would choose them over in-studio classes.
"The number one rule I state in class hundreds of time is to never step on the carriage first," warns Warbuton. "Especially when only light springs are on, as you can lose your balance and fall. Overall please make sure you’re confident in using the equipment and are familiar with how to adjust the springs and straps for different exercises. Always focus on good posture and controlled movements, and consider following an online class or instructor guidance to give yourself a well rounded and designed workout."
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