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.
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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?
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.
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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."
Possibly, the first question most home Pilates enthusiasts ask!
Most clients considering a foldable Pilates reformer are doing so, due to their space requirements. More importantly, one needs to take note of the negatives which can be hidden within the finer details of foldable Pilates machines.
There are Pilates Reformer machines which are small and lightweight so that sliding it under the bed is a possibility. However, to achieve this, the carriage bed is dimensionally small, meaning you feel cramped. These Pilates Reformers use rubber bands instead of springs for resistance, which need to be replaced more frequently due to wear and tear. Each of these features can limit the exercise range you wish to achieve.
Lightweight means less material is used, which begs the question, ‘what strength tests have been done to test the weight limits and longevity?’
Cupboard storage is usually possible with most models. The real question here is ‘how easy is it to fold and wheel’?
One of the most obvious requirements for most clients purchasing a foldable Pilates reformer is easy foldable abilities. The last thing you want after your workout is to then have a second workout trying to fold your reformer back up. Some models even require you to remove the carriage first and then lay the reformer on its side to fold.
When looking to buy a foldable reformer for home, keep an eye out for demonstration videos available online showing how the reformer folds.
You may have noticed some foldable reformer options available with extension legs, raising the height of your reformer. The issue here will again be how can you fold and put it away? It is now a giant ‘A frame’ which won’t fit in the cupboard or under a bed.
Often, wooden foldable reformers with legs are screwed into the wood with small wood screws, which cannot handle the side directional movement made when using a reformer. No use having legs that will simply fall out and become unusable.
Be wary of reformers made from beech wood! Though lighter than Maple, it is not as strong and quite orange in appearance. As mentioned before, wood is not the best supporter for screw in components such as legs and hinges, often becoming loose in the long term.
Forgetting to support the jump board with the foot bar, can be detrimental to your wooden reformer, as the weak joinery cannot handle this type of pressure.
The simple answer here is yes. However, when you consider the range of movements within the Pilates repertoire, for the most part, the wheels of the carriage should work either side of the join. However, when using a Jump Board, you will feel a bump in most cases as you’re extending the carriage to the end of the runners.
There are some Foldable Pilates Reformers like the Align-Pilates F3 which have a clever way of not crossing the centre join. Unfortunately, removing the inconvenience of the ‘bump’ also removes the convenience of having the option to add a platform extension mattress. In the case of the Align-Pilates F3 Reformer, we have provided a fixated wide anti-slip platform at the end of the reformer to compensate.
If you desperately need to fold away your reformer machine due to space issues, then a foldable Pilates reformer is a suitable choice. Keep in mind, foldable doesn’t always mean more affordable, and often, the difficult process of folding the reformer will mean you’ll never fold it anyway.
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