Though Joseph Pilates developed his eponymous fitness method during World War I, it has taken about a century for the acclaimed exercise to skyrocket into the fitness stratosphere. The practice is undeniably more popular than ever, with countless studios cropping up across the country. Mat offerings are a reliable go-to, though many are mystified by the reformer Pilates machines that look cool enough to stop you in your tracks as you scroll your FYP. However, when it comes down to it, Pilates is so much more than a trend—it’s a genuinely beneficial form of low-impact exercise that can support strength and mobility goals for individuals of all ages and abilities.
I’ve been practicing Pilates off and on for the past eight years. As a longtime runner, I’ve found that Pilates has supported my flexibility and recovery; what’s more, it has even helped counteract the poor posture I’ve developed from sitting behind a computer on a daily basis. Practicing Pilates has helped me gain balance, deep core strength, and confidence in my body’s abilities.
That said, while I manage to get to class once or twice a week, the cost and time commitment has kept me from making it an even more regular part of my exercise routine. So when I had the opportunity to test out Your Reformer’s at-home reformer, I jumped at the chance.
The Sleek Design
Your Reformer The Original reformer
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The Quiet Carriage
Balanced Body Allegro 2 pilates reformer
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The Easy-to-Store
Merrithew SPX reformer package
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The gorgeous reformer was delivered to my home with white-glove service and set up in the fitness area of my sunporch. At first glance, the reformer itself is stunning. It’s made with a maple wood frame and faux-leather upholstery that feels soft to the touch and comfortable against bare skin (it’s grippy, but not uncomfortably sticky). My reformer also came with a few accessories (a jump board, box, exercise ring, Pilates ball, etc.), which are add-ons available to enhance your practice.
Once it was placed, there was no significant setup. I began using it that very day, cueing up a class on the Your Reformer app on my iPad (you get three months of the subscription for free, then it’s $15 per month) and moving to my heart’s delight. The library of classes is extensive, grouped by fitness goals, specific areas of the body, and more. I also appreciated that it offered a number of express classes, for days I couldn’t dedicate a full hour to my practice.
Quickly, I understood the appeal of investing in an at-home reformer. While the piece of equipment can be pricey (at full price, the original model costs $2,750), the cost breaks down to about $230 a month, which is pretty on par with many Pilates studio memberships. So, essentially, the investment starts to pay for itself in just a year. It’s also worth noting that Your Reformer gives you the option to rent a reformer for $39 per week rather than purchase one outright.
And although virtual Pilates often gets a reputation as the “lesser” option, Andrea Speir, instructor and owner of Speir Pilates, disagrees. “The greatest gift of virtual is that it meets you where you are,” she says. “Even a 10-minute flow from your living room counts, and those small, consistent moments are what truly transform your body and mind.”
Having the machine at my disposal to complete a workout without leaving home was everything to me. I found it was great for squeezing in a quick session between meetings or just moving through blissful legs in straps (if you know, you know) to start the day. And when I had more time, I’d cue up one of the longer classes.
That said, even with the reformer at home, I found I still wanted to attend my in-person classes—I love the camaraderie of the women I see each and every week, the adjustments from my amazing instructor, and the opportunity to feel like part of a community.
“There’s something truly irreplaceable about being in a roomful of people who are all showing up for themselves—that energy is contagious,” Speir says. “Beyond the community, there’s the gift of a great instructor’s eye. Real-time, hands-on corrections are everything—they can feel the tension you’re holding, see the misalignment you can’t, and suddenly your practice shifts in a way no screen ever could.”
The dream scenario, according to Speir: hybrid. “In person is irreplaceable for community and tactile correction, but it’s also a real time commitment—travel, scheduling, the whole production,” she says. With a hybrid of both, “you get the efficiency and flexibility of virtual woven into your week, with in-person sessions to feed your soul and sharpen your technique. The two genuinely elevate each other.”
I wholeheartedly agree: I adore my Your Reformer with all its ease and convenience, but I also value the connectivity of my in-person classes. I truly think the magic combination is having the accountability of an in-person class balanced with an at-home option to help regularly practice what you learned from your instructor and hone your strength.
Curious to try an at-home reformer for yourself? I’ve included more information about my favorite, below, along with a few other popular options vetted by Speir.
Your Reformer
Balanced Body
Merrithew
What to Consider When Buying an At-Home Pilates Reformer
“This is one of the most important investments you’ll make in your practice, so do your homework,” says Speir. First and foremost, she points out it’s important to buy from a brand that was built by Pilates people. “There are a lot of companies jumping on the moment right now, and you can feel the difference in the craftsmanship. Ask your studio, ask instructors you trust, read real reviews. Cheap can absolutely be expensive in the long run.” Here, she goes through some tried-and-true tips for what to keep in mind when shopping for an at-home reformer.
Who should use an at-home Pilates reformer?
According to Speir, an at-home reformer is great for the entire household. “That is genuinely the joy of Pilates; it meets every body exactly where they are,” she says. “Beginner to advanced, young to seasoned, athlete to someone just beginning their wellness journey—one reformer in your home truly serves an entire life.” That might include a teenage athlete using it for cross-training and injury prevention, or a parent balancing pregnancy or postpartum recovery. For someone rehabbing a knee, a hip, or a shoulder, Speir says the reformer is “endlessly adaptable to work with the body, not against it.” And for a seasoned practitioner after strength, precision, and serious athletic results, “it will absolutely deliver.”
Are at-home Pilates reformers worth it?
“Absolutely, if you get the right one,” says Speir, who also uses Your Reformer in her home, and she notes it challenges her (in the best way) every time she uses it. “Where I’ve seen people go wrong is chasing a lower price tag. I’ve worked with clients who purchased cheaper reformers from Amazon or brands that simply jumped on the Pilates wave, and the story is always the same—they break down, the dimensions are off, and the spring resistance and glide just don’t perform the way they should,” says Speir. “A poor reformer doesn’t just waste your money, it can hold your practice back entirely.”
Bottom line: “Do your research, buy from people who truly know and love Pilates, and invest in a lovely machine that can support your health and fitness goals for life,” Speir recommends. “That is worth every penny.”
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity aestheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to at-home Pilates reformers, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: size, height, springs, design (i.e., if it has a headrest, foot bar, etc.), and the fitness and well-being concerns they address. To do this, we paired our personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you. Read more about our testing methodology here.
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