What is a Pilates Reformer Machines?
If you have ever walked past a Pilates studio and seen people gliding back and forth on a sliding bed of springs and straps, you have already seen a reformer in action. A Pilates reformer machine is a piece of resistance-based exercise equipment built around a moving platform that runs along a frame, with adjustable springs supplying the resistance. It is the most recognisable apparatus in Pilates, and for good reason: it lets you train strength, flexibility, balance and control across your whole body in one low-impact setup.
This guide explains exactly what a reformer is, how each part works, the different types you can buy, and how a compact alternative like a Pilates chair stacks up against a full-size reformer. If you are weighing up your first piece of home Pilates equipment, this is the place to start.
- What is a Pilates Reformer Machine?
- Introduction to Pilates Machines
- How a Pilates reformer works
- Types of Pilates reformer (and reformer alternatives)
- Pilates chair vs full reformer: which should a beginner choose?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Reformer Pilates Machines
- Ready to start your Pilates journey at home?
An Introduction to Pilates Machines
A reformer is a bed-like frame containing a wheeled platform (the carriage) that slides on rails. The carriage is attached to a set of springs, and you create movement by pushing or pulling against that spring resistance using your arms, legs or core. Joseph Pilates designed the original reformer in the early twentieth century, and the basic principle has barely changed since: controlled movement against variable resistance, with your own body weight doing much of the work.
How a Pilates reformer works
The genius of the reformer is that a handful of simple components combine to create hundreds of possible exercises. Here is what you are actually working with.
The carriage
The padded, wheeled platform you sit, kneel, lie or stand on. It glides along the rails when you apply force, then returns under spring tension. Because it moves, it forces your stabilising muscles to work continuously to keep you balanced — which is what makes reformer training so effective for the deep core.
The springs
Underneath the carriage sit several springs of differing strengths, usually colour-coded. Attach more for heavier resistance, fewer for lighter, so one machine can be dialled up for a powerful leg press or down for a gentle stretch. This is why a reformer suits complete beginners and seasoned athletes alike.
The footbar
An adjustable bar at one end of the carriage. You press against it with your feet or hands for exercises such as the footwork series and leg presses. Most footbars can be repositioned or folded down depending on the movement.
The straps and pulleys
A pair of long straps (often with handles) run through pulleys at the end of the frame. Pulling them works the upper body, arms and back; looping them around your feet opens up leg and core exercises. The pulley system keeps the resistance smooth throughout the movement.
Shoulder blocks and headrest
Shoulder blocks are raised pads that stop you sliding off the carriage when you push against the footbar, and the headrest supports your neck when lying down. Small details, but they are what make the machine safe and comfortable to use.
Types of Pilates reformer (and reformer alternatives)
“Reformer” covers a surprisingly broad range of equipment, and there are also compact pieces that deliver a similar style of training in far less space. Here are the main options.
- Studio (full-size) reformer. The classic studio machine: long, sturdy and built for daily commercial use. It offers the widest range of exercises and the smoothest ride, but it is large (often around 2.4 metres long), heavy, and the most expensive option. Ideal for studios and dedicated home Pilates rooms.
- Foldable or home reformer. A more affordable, lighter design that folds or breaks down for storage. You sacrifice a little of the studio machine’s solidity and exercise range, but for home users with limited space it is a sensible middle ground.
- Tower or combo reformer. A reformer fitted with an upright “tower” frame that adds extra spring attachments and bar positions, expanding what you can do without buying separate apparatus. Versatile, but it takes up more vertical space.
- The Pilates chair (a compact alternative). Not technically a reformer, but worth knowing about. A Pilates chair uses the same core principle (spring resistance against a moving part) in a much smaller footprint. Instead of a sliding carriage, it has a spring-loaded pedal you press with your hands or feet. It delivers genuine full-body resistance training, fits in the corner of a room, and costs a fraction of a full reformer, which makes it one of the most practical entry points for home users.
Pilates chair vs full reformer: which should a beginner choose?
A full reformer wins on exercise variety and that smooth, gliding sensation Pilates is famous for. If you have the space, the budget and the commitment, it is a brilliant long-term investment.
A Pilates chair wins on space, price and simplicity. It will not replicate every reformer exercise, but it covers strength, core and balance work extremely well, stores away easily, and lets you start practising at home without committing to a large machine or studio membership. For most beginners setting up at home, it is the lower-risk way to find out how much you enjoy spring-based Pilates before potentially upgrading later.
If you are short on room or trying Pilates for the first time, the chair is usually the smarter starting point. If you already know you love reformer work and have a dedicated space, a full machine may suit you better.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reformer Pilates Machines
New to reformer Pilates or weighing up a machine for home? These are the questions we hear most often — covering fitness levels, how challenging the workout really is, space requirements, and what to look for if you're a beginner. If you don't find what you need below, get in touch and we'll be happy to help.
Ready to start your Pilates journey at home?
A Pilates reformer machine (or a space-saving Pilates chair) brings studio-quality, spring-based resistance training into your own home. If you are looking for a home-friendly way to begin, the Cannons UK Pilates Chair offers genuine full-body resistance work in a compact, sturdy frame that tucks away when you are done, making it one of the easiest entry points into Pilates.
Cannons UK is a UK-based specialist with free next-day delivery on mainland UK orders over £99.99, hassle-free 30-day returns, Klarna payment options and a 4.8/5 Feefo rating.
