The 9 Best Pilates Reformers of 2024, Tested

Key Specs

Dimensions: 96.5 x 25 x 99 inches | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Features: Weighted roll-up pole, reformer box, pulleys, foot bar, straps, adjustable five-spring resistance, noise-reducing spring covers | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best for frequent Pilates practitioners of all experience levels who want a stable, comfortable workout, even during hard-core, sweat-inducing sessions.

Why We Love It

Out of all the reformers we tested, Merrithew’s At Home SPX Reformer Package was the sturdiest, most versatile, and easiest to put together, making it our top overall pick. We like that the bundle includes several accessories and that most of the reformer machine comes pre-assembled for a quick and straightforward setup. During tests, the reformer stood out for its sturdy build and smooth, stable performance, particularly during high-intensity workouts, and we loved the adjustable foot bar and the five-spring resistance that make it versatile enough for all experience levels.

We found the carriage well-padded, with breathable, cushioned hand and foot straps and a firm yet comfortable shoulder pad that kept our head and spine aligned for optimal form. We like that the back platform can be adjusted to six positions—and you can use the included platform extender to make it even longer if needed. 

The reformer set also comes with a weighted roll-up pole bar, hand grips, and a reformer box that can be used to modify workouts or alleviate pressure on tight hips. All these accessories allow you to perform over 250 exercises, plus you get 60 days of access to digital workouts on Merrithew Connect and a lifetime warranty—a worthy investment for any dedicated Pilates practitioner.

Potential Flaws

• The fixed-length straps on this reformer are difficult to adjust without flipping the machine on its side to retie, making it less ideal for sharing between users of different heights.
• The shoulder pads are screwed in, making them challenging (though not impossible) to remove—limiting and inconvenient for when you want a flat carriage option on the fly.

Key Specs

Dimensions: 93 x 36 x 14 inches | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Features: Pulleys, adjustable five-position foot bar, adjustable straps, three-position headrest, adjustable five-spring resistance, wheels for portability | Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Who It’s For

Best if you’re a beginner who has ample home gym space and wants a straightforward machine to get started with.

Why We Love It

Balanced Body’s Allegro Reformer is our top pick for a machine with the user-friendly features needed to get started with Pilates. When testing, we found it smooth and stable during dynamic movements, thanks to an eight-wheel suspension system on the carriage, with no noticeable unevenness or shifting. The padded platform and foot bar were comfortable during exercises, and the easy-to-adjust straps and cleats provided a secure fit. 

The reformer has five color-coded spring resistance levels to challenge different fitness levels, and the intuitive foot bar adjustment makes transitions easy, especially for beginners. Pilates newbies also get to enjoy access to free instructional videos on the Balanced Body streaming video platform and a lifetime warranty. Lightweight and maneuverable, this reformer has built-in wheels for portability, and we like that it can stand upright when not in use. As a beginner, you can further upgrade your Allegro reformer at checkout with an optional sitting box, foot strap, and jump board to advance your workouts as you progress over time. 

Note: this reformer sits low to the ground, so if you have mobility challenges or lower body joint issues, there’s an optional 14-inch leg kit sold separately that elevates the reformer off the floor for improved accessibility.

Potential Flaws

• The color-coded spring resistance levels aren’t explicitly labeled on this reformer, which can be confusing for beginners.
• While mostly straightforward, the assembly instructions felt incomplete and could have been more detailed for beginners. 

Key Specs

Dimensions: 71.1 x 18.5 x 5.5 inches | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Features: 360-degree foot and hand bar, headrest, adjustable four-spring resistance, rear and front handles (upgraded package), rear platform (upgraded package) | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who It’s For

Best for advanced Pilates practitioners who want a challenging machine for small spaces or on-the-go use.

Why We Love It 

With Lagree’s Micro Microformer, you can get a great workout anywhere for a lower price than other options on our list, making it our top pick for best value. Lightweight and portable, this machine has a sleek, compact design that is great if you have a small home studio space or prefer to take your Pilates practice on the go. Designed specifically for the Lagree method, this small but mighty machine foregoes hand and foot straps and a traditional carriage to focus on power, strength, and balance work in your practice. 

Since it arrived nearly fully assembled, we only needed to attach the handlebars, which made it easy to start our workout right away. We found the color-coded, four-spring settings easy to adjust and challenging for targeting smaller muscles during a wide range of exercises. The machine is comfortable and stable, with padded handlebars and a well-cushioned, smooth gliding platform. 

Potential Flaws

• During installation, we noticed that one side of the handlebars was quite wobbly, but we still felt stable when using the reformer.
• This reformer lacks hand and foot-stretching straps, a supportive carriage for the spine, and a small platform, requiring you to have an advanced level of balance, core strength, and hamstring flexibility and mobility. Also, due to the lack of foot bar adjustability, we found it might be challenging to achieve full extension during planks if you have a shorter frame.

Key Specs

Dimensions: 95 x 27.5 x 9 inches | Weight Capacity: 265 pounds | Features: Adjustable foot bar, spring resistance, adjustable straps, rope risers

Who It’s For

Best for someone who has storage space constraints and needs a machine that can be easily maneuvered by one person.

Why We Love It 

Align Pilates’ F3 Folding Reformer is our top pick if you need a compact machine that easily folds up. It can even be done one-handed. Screw-in knobs on each side of the reformer lock the frame in place, both in flat and folded positions, so the reformer stays secure during workouts and in storage. There are even adjustable feet on the bottom so you can make sure the machine sits flat and stable. And we like that it can be easily rolled out of the way when it’s folded up.

Align Pilates’ Reformer also features rope risers with three height options and a silent pulley system for a quiet workout. The risers also detach and clip into the frame for storage when the machine is folded up. Other nice-to-haves include an adjustable foot bar with four positions, a three-position headrest, and double-loop handles. Plus, the carriage is uniquely designed so the wheels never cross the folding joint—creating a super smooth ride.

Potential Flaws

• Some users have found that it takes two people to assemble this reformer.

Key Specs

Dimensions: 94 x 25.5 x 36 inches | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Features: Pulleys, foot bar, straps, adjustable dual-spring resistance, built-in swivel touchscreen

Who It’s For

Best if you have space for a larger reformer, especially if you want access to workout classes.

Why We Love It 

If you’re looking for a fully loaded, high-tech, beautiful machine (and you have the budget to splurge), Frame Fitness’s Pilates Reformer is our top pick. It arrives via white glove delivery, so there’s no lengthy setup or assembly process. A truly luxe piece of equipment, this reformer features dual-spring technology, eliminating the need for two platforms. Color-coded, adjustable spring weights (offering up to 260 pounds of resistance) allow you to easily control your movement and level up when you need a challenge. It also comes equipped with straps, pulleys, and a foot bar for a completely customizable workout.

We love that Frame Fitness’ Reformer has a built-in touchscreen that swivels and is sweat-resistant for streaming classes. If you purchase the brand’s $39 monthly membership, you’ll get access to personalized training recommendations, plus a library of over 100 live and on-demand classes—including Pilates, yoga, stretching, cardio, and strength workouts. With hidden wheels and a compact frame, this reformer is easy to move and store when needed. If you have the space and budget to splurge, we highly recommend investing in this top-quality Pilates reformer that will keep you coming back for more.

Potential Flaws

• This reformer has a large footprint compared to others on our list, so we don’t recommend it for small spaces.
• You can’t access the brand’s training recommendations or workout classes unless you invest in an additional monthly membership.

Key Specs

Dimensions: 92 x 26 x 84 inches | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Features: Straps, springs, Cadillac, roll-down bar, push-through bar, vertical and horizontal sliding bars, swing, jump board

Who It’s For

Best for intermediate to advanced exercisers who want a professional-grade Pilates reformer.

Why We Love It 

Once you master advanced Pilates exercises on the mat, it’s time to invest in a reformer that can help you level up your practice even more. We recommend Sportline’s Superior Cadillac Reformer, a studio-grade reformer with a built-in sitting box and a jump board. It also comes with a roll-down bar, a push-through bar, a vertical sliding bar, a horizontal sliding bar, and a swing.

Plus, plenty of accessories are included with your purchase, like a pair of ropes, a pair of hand grips, a strap, and 10 springs. This array of accessories might sound overwhelming. But because you can mix and match them to tackle a range of dynamic exercises, they’ll help you get the most out of your reformer. We like this machine’s sleek, chrome design and its wood base that dampens sound to minimize noise during your workouts. If you have the space and the budget, this beautiful reformer can seriously elevate your Pilates program.

Potential Flaws

• This reformer is very large and heavy—the brand recommends purchasing its assembly service to minimize frustration after it’s delivered.
• It’s also much pricier than most of our other top picks, although we think it’s worth the investment if you’re searching for a truly all-in-one reformer.

Key Specs

Dimensions: 97 x 25 x 16 inches | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Special Features: Pulleys, straps, hand bar

Who It’s For

Best for exercisers who want to supplement their studio practice at home with a machine that creates seamless transitions.

Why We Love It 

Peak Pilates’ Casa Reformer is our recommendation for a studio-grade reformer that’s designed with at-home use in mind. The compact reformer is lightweight but sturdy. And since it’s studio height, it should feel pretty familiar for anyone who enjoys group Pilates classes.

This reformer has all the essentials, like an adjustable hand bar and two strap-equipped pulleys that you can easily customize using the reformer’s one-touch adjusters, which allow you to adjust the length of the reformer’s straps with just one hand. It also has a three-position headrest that you can move for the perfect fit and feel. We like that with your purchase, you get a two-month subscription to the Pilates Project app, where you can access on-demand classes designed for all fitness levels.

Potential Flaws

• We wish this reformer had a higher weight capacity, considering its price.

Key Specs

Dimensions: 53 x 26 x 26 inches | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Features: Adjustable raised platform, push-up bar, foot strap attachments

Who It’s For

Best for people who don’t have a dedicated home gym space and need a more compact Pilates reformer.

Why We Love It 

Many of the reformers on our list fold up or stand upright for storage. But if you are really tight on space, we recommend Pilates Power Gym’s Plus Mini Reformer for its compact design and fold-flat feature. It’s only 53 inches long—so even when it’s in use, it doesn’t take up a lot of floor space. And we like that you can easily store it under a bed when you’re finished exercising.

Even though it’s compact, this reformer still provides a solid workout, thanks to a three-position raised platform, a push-up bar, four resistance cords, and foot strap attachments. We love that it comes fully assembled, so you can get started right away. The tension cords have a quick-release design that allows you to transition smoothly between exercises. One of the best values on our list, Pilates Power Gym’s Plus Mini Reformer also comes with three DVD workouts led by celebrity trainers.

Potential Flaws

• Some users report that parts of this reformer, like the carabiners, may not be as durable as pricier options.
• This machine doesn’t come with any accessories, although you can purchase those separately.

Key Specs

Dimensions: 85.8 x 23.8 x 20.5 inches | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Features: Straps, springs, rebounder, tower, push-through bar, roll-down bar

Who It’s For

Best for intermediate exercisers who want the added versatility that a tower provides in Pilates.

Why We Love It 

AeroPilates’ Precision Cadillac Reformer is our favorite reformer that comes with a tower. We love that it’s easy to use and provides a great workout. Like many of our other picks, this machine comes with a rebounder. But the tower also features a push-through bar, a roll-down bar, a set of springs, and a pair of straps you can use for different upper- and lower-body exercises.

We like that the tower’s height is adjustable for a customizable experience. And since the reformer’s platform is padded, it promises to be pretty comfortable, too. Your purchase also includes free access to on-demand, online workout videos led by a certified trainer and designed specifically for the Cadillac to show you all the additional exercises you can do with it.

Potential Flaws

• Some users have noted that assembly can be challenging—you’ll probably need a friend to help you put it together.
• Others have found that the carriage may not glide as smoothly over the center of the frame.