6 best Pilates reformers for home use, according to experts

I’m someone who, despite my best efforts to be a tidy minimalist, has accumulated more fitness equipment than any one person truly needs. When Covid first hit and 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 with my name on them. 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.

“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.”

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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.

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.

This pilates reformer is like the perfect cross between a mat and a reformer machine, and still promises to provide you with an at-home workout that's comparable to the rest.

It comes with all the equipment necessary, including resistance bands, push-up attachments and even a phone holder for following videos or workout guides.

The brand states that this reformer machine can be used by those new to the world of Pilates, and those who have been to a handful of classes and are wanting to bring the workout home.

It has all the typical bells and whistles, including resistance ropes, a foot bar, as well as wear-resistant leather that can withstand sweat and scratches alike, according to the brand.

The first thing you’ll notice about this reformer is that it sits on the ground, which should eliminate any worries about losing balance and potentially falling. The platform and foot bar are both padded for extra comfort, and the shoulder pads are made with a dense foam.

“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.

With built-in wheels and the ability to fold down to fit in any coat closet or underneath your bed, this reformer machine still allows you to get a full body workout in without sacrificing much space.

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. It's also currently over $1,000 off, making it the most discounted machine included in this roundup.

There’s no need to give up prime real estate in your home for a reformer — this one from AeroPilates folds right up for easy storage. 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.”

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.