Want Studio-Style Pilates at Home? Start With These Editor-Tested Reformers

The classical Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer is next-level if you want to up your Pilates game. It features a foldable vertical tower, which can improve flexibility and target different muscle groups with more controlled movements, adding more challenge. It has five springs—four full-resistance and one with half-resistance. Given the springs mostly have the same resistance, this machine is designed for more advanced users.

The foot bar is adjustable with four positions for different heights, while the carriage is padded for comfort. Another call-out is the included reformer box, which adds height and range of motion to moves in the seated and lying position. It’s especially helpful for those with muscle tightness or who need to modify moves involving the knees.

While this is a great reformer to elevate your practice, it’s quite large at 96 inches long and 26 inches wide. It’s also heavy at 115 pounds. Like the AeroPilates Pro XP 557, this isn’t ideal for apartments. The tower structure also requires more vertical space, so if you don’t have high ceilings, our best overall is most likely your best bet.

Read More: Best Compact Home Gym Equipment

Pretty much all pilates reformers in this guide are relatively large, but the contemporary AeroPilates Reformer 4420 is foldable. If you’re an apartment dweller, this machine is your compact answer to your Pilates reformer dreams. It can be stashed under a couch, bed, or behind a door. At 69 pounds, it’s not the lightest, so having two people for setup is probably your best bet.

Like the AeroPilates Reformer 287, it uses cords, not springs, yet delivers impressive effectiveness. This model has four adjustable cords with varying resistances and color codes, unlike the 287: two standard resistances (black), one extra intensity (red), and one light resistance (yellow). So, this reformer is good for both beginners and those who are more advanced.

It also has a built-in cardio rebounder, which is essentially a mini trampoline at the foot bar, making it an especially good choice for someone looking for low-impact cardio options and variety.

The contemporary Your Reformer is studio-grade like our best overall reformer pick, and is super durable despite being a little over half the price. During a stay in Los Angeles, Appleton rented one for at-home workouts and was extremely impressed with its easily changeable five thick springs, and a carriage that glides smoothly and quietly. The springs are also color-coded: two heavy resistance (red), two medium resistance (blue), and one light resistance (yellow).

In terms of quality, it’s a direct competitor to the Allegro 2. “The straps are thick and definitely won’t fray on me, and the strap handles are comfortable to grip, even when my palms get sweaty,” Appleton says. It’s not compact enough for most apartments, but it’s slimmer to accommodate home spaces better.

Appleton is 5’5” and found the carriage to be wide and spacious, with plenty of room to move around from supine to standing to kneeling positions. It also accommodates her much taller boyfriend, who’s “20 times more passionate about a good reformer workout,” so it’s the real deal.

The AeroPilates Reformer 287 is the most affordable option we’ve come across. It’s dramatically less expensive than our best overall—it costs under $400! But that doesn’t mean it’s less effective. Its quality is still impressive, just not studio-grade. WH entertainment editor Amy Wilkinson, an avid Pilates practitioner, was surprised by how sturdy this machine is because of its bargain price, and since it comes pre-assembled (another plus).

But, she stresses it’s best for beginners since it only features three resistance cords. “I could see someone eventually progressing beyond the capabilities of this model, especially when it comes to exercises like footwork and running, which are classically done on four springs,” says Wilkinson. “It also lacks certain accessories you’d typically find with a studio machine—a box, which is typically used for exercises in the short-box series and in a long position for pulling straps and T-press, among others.”

While most full-sized pilates reformers don’t have a built-in trampoline at the foot bar, the contemporary AeroPilates Pro XP 557 is the first full-sized model we’ve seen with a rebounder, so cardio moves like single-leg pushups and slow squats can be added to the routine. This is especially useful for beginners getting into the groove. WH associate visual editor Berkeley Brooks found it stayed sturdy when executing explosive movements at fast paces, while the material of the main carriage prevented her from slipping around.

Brooks notes that the four strong springs are easily interchangeable and have varying resistances labeled by color: two low resistance (blue) and two high resistance (yellow). The foot bar is adjustable, thick, and quiet for added comfort, and can be placed in three positions to accommodate different heights without disrupting your range of motion.

The platform is also wide at 23 inches and long at 100 inches, so this model isn’t ideal for small apartments, especially since you need additional space to execute exercises.

On the upside, Brooks says it’s easy to build and aesthetically pleasing. “I love the addition of wood to the machine because it looks great in a home gym,” she adds.