The 6 Best Pilates Reformer Machines, Tested and Reviewed...

What’s Happening

Breaking it down: Nicolette Accardi is the Fitness Commerce Editor at Women’s Health with a specialty in running content and athleisure.

She likes to chase her next best time shoes and other running gear, and styling her workout clothes as streetwear. She’s also a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). (wild, right?)

Nicolette studied journalism and health sociology at Rutgers University.

The Details

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If you’re a Pilates princess, you already know why a reformer is the answer to a low-impact, strength-boosting workout. But, if you’re a newbie, allow us to school you: It’s a machine that consists of springs for resistance, a moving carriage (what you lay on), a foot bar that you push or pull, and pulleys to hold onto or hook to your feet when performing moves.

Why This Matters

Ultimately, it leads to muscle engagement to feel the burn. It’s especially solid for anyone looking to alleviate stress on the joints without using low-impact cardio machines like an elliptical or exercise bike. “The gliding movements can help take pressure off joints, which can be especially helpful for someone dealing with arthritis,” says Janet McClure, a certified Pilates and yoga instructor based in Burlington, Vermont.

Health experts are weighing in on what this means for people.

Key Takeaways

• “The moving carriage, the centerpiece, keeps your core engaged during the entire process, this, in turn, helps with balance and posture.
• ” Pilates reformers also have two different types: classical and contemporary.

The Bottom Line

The main difference between the two is that classical reformers have springs with all the same resistance, while contemporary ones don’t, which means a classical reformer is better for more advanced users. While reformers are usually only found in Pilates studios, we found a handful of studio-grade models that would make a solid addition to your home gym setup.

Are you here for this or nah?