Save Money & Deepen Your Practice With These At-Home Pilates Reformers

Author: Expert reviewer:

April 2, 2023

When it comes to home workout equipment, Pilates reformers are a larger investment. While you can find machines for under $500, many cost thousands of dollars. Our list includes a range of prices suitable for a variety of budgets.

We kept advice and suggestions from our expert in mind when selecting the best at-home Pilates reformers, including a direct recommendation from a certified Pilates instructor and studio owner.

We combed through customer reviews to learn more about each of the Pilates reformers on this list. These product picks are backed by real people who have enjoyed the equipment at home. Negative feedback helped inform potential cons.

Not everyone has space for a full-sized Pilates reformer at home. That’s why our list includes compact pieces of equipment and foldable Pilates reformers in addition to larger options with towers and those that can’t easily go into storage.

More affordable than other reformers, this low-profile machine comes with all the basic requirements for a great at-home machine. It has a padded sliding platform and foot bar, high-density foam shoulder pads, and three adjustable elastic bungee cords for resistance.

For ease of use at home, the reformer has wheels on one end of the machine. Plus, it folds in half for simple storage. If you’re just getting started with your practice or are looking for a budget-friendly reformer for your home, this is a great option.

The majority of Amazon reviewers give this reformer a five-star rating. One writes, “I wanted to buy a membership at a Pilates studio but the memberships are extremely expensive. So I started researching and found this machine on Amazon. It was cheaper than the ones I really wanted. But still being a beginner, this machine is absolutely perfect!”

Upgrade your home Pilates practice with this foldable reformer. Designed to be set up quickly, the reformer has an aluminum frame that folds in half to store away when it’s not in use. Despite the machine’s foldable structure, its tracks are seamless for a smooth, quiet ride similar to what you’d experience in a studio.

The headrests, shoulder rests, and foot bar are adjustable. With five springs, you can work out with up to 46 resistance configurations. Each purchase gives you access to the brand’s free videos section on its streaming video platform. You can also pay for a subscription to access more content.

This reformer only has a few reviews on Amazon, but all of them are five stars. “I’m so impressed and thrilled to have this machine,” writes one shopper. “Expert craftsmanship and attention to detail, and the fact that it folds smaller is the reason why I can fit this in my apartment. I can pretty much do everything that I can do at the pilates studio in the comfort of my living room! It fits under my daybed/couch or in my coat closet.”

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While The Lagree Method is not Pilates, it was inspired by the Pilates method and uses similar exercises. There are studios for practicing the method in person with others, but you can also buy the machines, including this mini-version, for your home. Cables, straps, handles, and other accessories are sold separately, but the most basic version of the compact reformer starts at $990. To get the most out of the slim machine, you can subscribe to the brand’s on-demand platform to stream classes at home.

There aren’t reviews for the Micro on the Lagree Fitness website, but one Amazon customer left it a rave review: “The Micro comes with everything you need to work your whole body to exhaustion. There are many free workouts posted on YouTube, which teach you how to use the Micro and guide you through workouts.”

If you want to get all the bells and whistles with one purchase, consider this reformer bundle. It comes with a standard carriage platform with five resistance springs, pulley posts, shoulder rests, and ropes. The foot bar is covered in foam for comfort and the carriage has smooth glide technology for efficient, quiet rolling.

Your purchase includes a reformer box with a foot strap, a padded platform extender, and a metal roll-up pole. You’ll pretty much have everything you need to practice reformer Pilates at home—but you’ll need ample space to set up the machine. It doesn’t fold up for storage, so plan on making a permanent spot for it in your home.

This Pilates Reformer bundle has 4.5 out of five stars overall on Amazon. “I am so impressed with this reformer! It is perfect for at-home use because it is easy to move around and store,” writes one shopper. “Plus, all the accessories give you hundreds of options for exercises and make them more effective, so I can really feel the right muscles working.”

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For a Pilates reformer with a tower that will rival the ones in your local studio, check out this machine. Appropriate for large home gyms, the reformer comes with a foot bar, spring bar, ropes, risers, shoulder rests, a moving platform, tower springs, and a roll-down bar.

The base of this Pilates reformer is made from maple wood, with five springs for different levels of resistance. The tower allows for more exercises and is ideal for advanced practitioners. Although the machine is heavy, there are options for white-glove delivery for an extra fee. Just note, you’ll still have to assemble it yourself.

The Pilates reformer with a tower has 4.6 out of five stars overall on Amazon. One person writes, “This is the best investment that I’ve made in a while! There is definitely sticker shock when you hit the purchase button….but if you do the math, it makes sense. It is exactly the same reformer as at my local pilates studio, so it’s easy to move forward with my practice.”

One of Kingswell’s favorite Pilates reformers, the Balanced Body Allegro 2 has everything a beginner student could need. With 14-inch legs, a multi-adjustment foot bar, a seamless carriage, and removable, adjustable shoulder rests, this piece of equipment looks sleek and is incredibly quiet (in other words, great for home use).

The professional-grade machine accommodates a range of body types. It’s effective as is, but you also have the option to add a tower and mat conversion, which are sold separately. This machine is pricier than some other options, but it’s just as suitable for advanced students as it is for beginners, and is worth the investment if you’re dedicated to your practice.

This reformer has 4.8 out of five stars overall on Amazon, with plenty of rave reviews. One person writes, “I love my machine. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s a solid machine,” wrote one reviewer. “Best investment in myself I’ve made.”

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If you’re an advanced student looking to invest in a reformer with all the bells and whistles, this is a great option. Its higher price tag comes with a full Pilates apparatus featuring a universal reformer you can tailor to your needs.

The frame is made from sturdy Rock Maple wood and 60% post-industrial recycled aluminum. It comes with arm, leg, and roll-down springs, sheepskin hanging loops, a kuna board, belly straps, a padded foot bar, an upholstered box, a weighted pole, rubber pads, and gear blocks. However, because this is a professional-grade machine that’s custom-made when orders are placed, there tends to be a long lead time for shipment.

One customer writes, “I love the feel of Gratz equipment, especially the way you have to work to close the carriage all the way. It’s what I was trained on and now that I’ve lived all over the states I really appreciate it when I can find a studio with Gratz reformers. The design works perfectly with the purpose of the classical sequence.”