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Around for nearly 100 years, Pilates is both an effective and low-impact workout that has grown in popularity in recent decades. Known for its ability to strengthen and tone the body, the exercise method works deep muscles and improves everything from muscle control to flexibility and circulation. You’ll commonly see mat Pilates in most group fitness classes which is an excellent form of Pilates for beginners, but those looking to level up their Pilates game may want to kick things up a notch and consider using a Pilates reformer machine.
“While a Pilates reformer may at first seem daunting with its many straps, springs and sliding carriage, it can be an incredibly useful tool to help maximize your Pilates workout,” says Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Rothman has an extensive background in Pilates instruction and says that reformer Pilates exercises, in particular, can create even more core stability and muscle control than those done on a mat.
“The key behind the effectiveness of a reformer is resistance, with springs attached to a moving platform (a.k.a. carriage) on wheels,” Rothman emphasizes. “The springs allow for changes in resistance, and by pushing or pulling with arms or legs you can then initiate movement of the carriage along the frame to get a full-body strength-building workout.”
Reformer Pilates classes can cost upwards of $30 a session at fitness clubs and boutique fitness studios, so if it’s something you frequently incorporate into your exercise regimen, it may be worth investing in one for your home. Here are the best Pilates reformer machines of 2022, according to fitness professionals in the Good Housekeeping Institute Wellness Lab.
Our top picks:
You can read more about how we evaluate Pilates reformers — plus everything you need to know about getting the most out of your Pilates workout — at the end of this guide.
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