Looking for the best Pilates machine for your home or studio? This complete guide covers the top reformers, Cadillac systems, chairs, barrels, and towers—plus side-by-side comparisons, expert tips, and real user reviews to help you find the perfect fit for your goals and space.
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Pilates continues to be one of the fastest-growing forms of exercise for strength, mobility, and total-body health. In , more people are investing in Pilates machines for home gyms and boutique studios—thanks to new technology, improved designs, and the flexibility to work out on your own schedule. Today’s best Pilates machines deliver studio-quality results with features that fit every budget and living space.
When people say “Pilates machine,” they often mean the Pilates reformer, but there’s a world of other equipment to explore! Each Pilates machine has its own unique design, purpose, and benefits for different exercise styles, body types, and training goals.
The Queen Pilates Reformer is the gold standard for home and professional use. With a smooth carriage, adjustable resistance, and robust accessories, it’s the centerpiece of most Pilates studios and serious home gyms.
"The Queen is a true studio-grade reformer. My clients love the smooth carriage ride, and the included box and jumpboard make programming easy."
— Danielle M. ★★★★★
View The Queen Reformer
The Cadillac Pilates Reformer is an all-in-one powerhouse. It combines the classic reformer with a full Cadillac (trapeze table), letting you do hundreds of exercises for strength, rehab, and flexibility. Ideal for studios or home gyms with space to spare.
“This machine replaced three others in our studio. It's everything we need in one.”
– Kendra T., Studio Owner
View Cadillac Reformer
The Pilates Chair, also known as the Wunda Chair, packs a challenging, full-body workout into a tiny footprint. Great for lower body, balance, and functional movement training—plus, it stores easily.
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The Ladder Barrel is essential for anyone looking to deepen their core work, stretch, and improve spinal mobility. Its unique arched design supports advanced Pilates exercises and flexibility routines.
See Ladder Barrel
The Queen Pilates Reformer with Tower offers unmatched versatility in a small footprint. Add vertical spring resistance and dozens of new moves to your reformer routine—perfect for both home and studio.
“We made the switch to the Queen Pilates Tower and couldn’t be happier. It’s smooth, sturdy, and gives us the versatility of a reformer with tower, all in one machine.”
— Tahlia M., Studio Owner – Glendale
Explore Queen Reformer with Tower
Want to go deeper? Read our guide: What Is a Pilates Reformer (And Should You Get One for Home?)
Still unsure? See all top-rated Pilates machines or ask The Core Collab for personal guidance.
Why it’s great: The Queen delivers everything you want from a true Pilates reformer: a smooth carriage, studio-grade resistance, and every accessory you’ll need for a full-body workout—at home or in a studio.
"The Queen is a true studio-grade reformer. My clients love the smooth carriage ride, and the included box and jumpboard make programming easy."
— Danielle M. ★★★★★
Order The Queen Reformer
Why studios love it: The Cadillac is the ultimate all-in-one system, replacing multiple machines and unlocking hundreds of new moves for clients of all ages and abilities.
“This machine replaced three others in our studio. It's everything we need in one.”
– Kendra T., Studio Owner
Shop Cadillac Reformer
Why it’s a value pick: The Pilates Chair is compact, affordable, and ideal for challenging your strength, balance, and stability. Perfect for apartments or anyone wanting to add variety to their Pilates routine without investing in a full reformer.
Shop Pilates Chair
Why it’s a great investment: The Ladder Barrel adds stretching, deep core, and flexibility work to any home or studio at an accessible price. Excellent for spinal health and athletic recovery.
View Ladder Barrel
Want a step-by-step setup video? See our complete reformer setup guide here.
A little care goes a long way—your Pilates machine can last for years with regular maintenance!
“Pilates machine” usually means a reformer, but can also refer to Cadillacs, chairs, barrels, and towers. Each has unique features and workout benefits.
Yes! Modern machines deliver studio-quality workouts at home, save time, and give you access to hundreds of exercises in one piece of equipment.
Reformers and Cadillacs need more room, but chairs and barrels fit easily in smaller home gyms. Always check product dimensions before you buy.
Most are simple to assemble with video instructions. The Core Collab team is always here to help if you need setup support.
Absolutely! Start with basic exercises and lower resistance. Many machines include beginner guides and online video routines.
See all our top-rated Pilates reformers and equipment at The Core Collab.
"I never thought I’d have a studio-quality workout at home until I invested in The Queen reformer. Worth every penny for my strength and posture."
— Simone G., Boston
"Our boutique studio now runs on the Cadillac. The variety and client results are incredible—we’ve doubled our Pilates classes!"
— Jordan S., Studio Owner
The Core Collab is dedicated to helping you choose the best Pilates equipment for your home or studio. Our guides are updated with first-hand expertise, client feedback, and the latest in Pilates innovation—so you can feel confident in every purchase.
Learn about our team or contact us for expert advice.
No matter your budget, space, or experience level, the right Pilates machine can transform your workouts—and your life. From classic reformers to advanced Cadillacs, compact chairs to versatile towers, there’s never been a better time to invest in your health and strength. Explore The Core Collab’s top picks and join the thousands of Pilates lovers building better bodies, every day!
Posted By: Pamela Toy
After much consideration, you have decided to purchase a Pilates Reformer.
Great!
Now you open up your browser and start searching for reformers online. However, there are so many different types of reformers and brands.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Pilates Machines for sale.
Where do you even start?
You should look for several things when picking a machine for your needs. Reformers are pretty expensive and you want to ensure the purchase is worth it.
In this post, we are going to break down how to choose a reformer in the following 8 steps:
Understanding what your personal needs are is the first step to picking a reformer.
If you are an aspiring pilates instructor, then you will probably want to get a Studio-grade reformer that is adjustable and has a lot of different attachments.
Additionally, if you have health issues or a limited range of motion, you may want to pick a Reformer that is very adjustable as well.
If you are an intermediate to advanced practitioner, having more accessories and attachments will allow you to make your workouts more robust and engaging.
However, if you are a less experienced practitioner, are on a tighter budget and are just looking for a good Pilates workout at home, you may not need all the accessories (we will get into this later).
As mentioned in the previous step, having a Reformer that is adjustable is very important especially if you are an aspiring instructor or have a limited range of motion.
Here are the following components that should be adjustable:
The Head and shoulder rest supports the back, neck and shoulders. They should be comfortable and provide maximum stability. For people with neck or back injuries, having an adjustable head and shoulder rest is very important.
The foot bar initiates spring resistance at the start of an exercise. The more adjustable the foot bar is, the more it can adjust to different body sizes and also to different ranges of motion. If you are fairly inflexible or had knee surgery/injuries, having an adjustable foot bar can provide you with the correct angle/support.
After you have determined what your needs are, you will likely need to determine how much you are willing to spend on a Reformer.
We recently broke down the cost in this post, but Reformers can go anywhere from $400 – $8k (higher end). While that is a fairly wide range, it’s worth noting that the higher the price, the higher the quality of the reformer, and the more features and accessories are usually available.
If you are an aspiring instructor, you will likely want to have a Reformer that is high quality with at least some accessories. However, you may not need the Bundle Reformers with every attachment available. These reformers can go from anywhere between $1-5k.
Before pulling the trigger to purchase a Reformer, you need to understand how much space is readily available in your house/apartment/studio.
Reformers on average range from about 80 to 100 inches long and are roughly 20 to 30 inches wide.
Please measure your space beforehand.
There are also Reformers that are foldable, which may be a good option if you have limited space or need to utilize your space for other activities.
Having a frame that is of the highest quality is really important.
Some frames are made of wood and others are made of metal, so do your research before pressing the buy button.
A Reformer may be less expensive with a lot of the same features, but if the Frame is not good, then you will be unable to use your reformer for a long period of time. It’s worth checking out reviews to make sure others didn’t have any issues beforehand!
Some Reformers utilize cords for their resistance system, however, it is highly recommended to find a reformer with springs. Springs are more robust and are usually a trait of a higher quality reformer.
You should also check to see how “heavy” the springs are and how many are available with the reformer.
Most reformers will have 4-5 springs available with varying degrees of difficulty.
If you are an aspiring instructor, you should probably look for a machine with more springs as it will allow you to adjust to many different body types and skill levels.
For example, if your reformer only has 3 springs, with medium to heavy levels of resistance, you will be unable to work with seniors or people who aren’t very strong.
Also, if your clients have injuries they probably won’t be able to go as heavy, so having more springs will provide a better workout.
In contrast, if your springs aren’t super heavy, then people who are bigger and stronger won’t be able to get the best workout due to the springs maxing out.
The more springs you have the better, but if the reformer that fits your needs/budget only has a few springs available, make sure they provide the right resistance level.
Many Reformers come with a variety of different accessories that can enhance your workouts.
Here are the most popular accessories:
Pilates Dvds can be helpful as they can introduce you to a variety of exercises led by a professional instructor. If you are a relatively new student or like following along with workouts, then Dvds can be really useful.
The Jumpboard is a firm, padded jumping surface that allows for sound foot placement for aerobic and plyometric workouts. It can help to expand your repertoire as it will train your core, and lower body when used on the Reformer.
The Cardio Rebounder provides a landing surface for rebounding activities. This increases your workout potential turning your reformer into a heart-pumping cardiovascular machine.
The Vertical Frame/Tower provides multiple spring attachments facilitating increased programming as the travel pulleys provide different angles of resistance. This allows you to perform three-dimensional motions.
Also, some vertical towers/frames have arm attachments, which allow you to work your upper body on the reformer.
The Reformer Box assists with optimal sitting positions allowing for a greater range of motion when working your upper body, torso and legs. There are also additional exercises specific to the box. If you are an aspiring instructor, the box is definitely an accessory you want to have.
Adjustable foot straps allow you to anchor your feet for exercises using the Reformer Box. This can make your workouts tougher and more engaging.
Some Reformers have a mat converter, which allows you to turn your machine into an elevated mat surface. This can be great if you are already tight on space as you can do your mat workouts right on your reformer!
These are a few accessories that reformers may include. However, many of these items can be bought separately, so if you plan to purchase the accessories separately, make sure that your reformer is compatible before purchase.
Last but not least, you should make sure your Reformer has a warranty. Most Reformers offer a warranty for 6-12 months. It would be very disappointing to spend a lot of money on a reformer only for it to break after a few uses, so please make sure you are covered!
Choosing the right Reformer depends on your needs, space and budget, so please review each step in depth before pulling the trigger. Reformers are not cheap, so you should have a machine that you are going to use!
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