So I received a fantastic inquiry about the BIG question – I want to buy a Pilates Reformer cheap!!!

Sooner or later, every avid Pilates student considers this option so they can stay consistent with their workouts and enjoy the ability to do Pilates day or night in the luxury of their own home.  The challenge then becomes, finding the best Pilates equipment for the space available, and evaluating to determine (a) If you’ll really use it at home, or it will become a drop zone for clothes and miscellaneous stuff.  (b) You feel confident with your Pilates program to work without supervision.

Here’s the question I received about this, and my recommendations:

“Aliesa, if you would be so kind as to help me I would really appreciate it. I am thinking about getting a reformer for my home. I can’t get one too big but also want one that would do the basics for me to keep up Pilates at home. There is a used one on Craig’s list under sporting equipment for $125. Would you tell me if this would work for me or you have a better suggestion. It’s not working to make it into a studio for regular lessons, this will hopefully keep me in Pilates. I’d love to know what you recommend.  Thanks!”  –Judy

Here’s My Reply:

Your question is a fantastic one!  Thrilled to get it!  You’re not the only one out there who is trying to find good, economically priced Pilates Reformers and equipment to use at home.

My first comment for you to consider…  You get what you pay for!

After years of working out on professional grade, high quality Pilates equipment in a studio, I think that you will be very disappointed with a home model that is selling for $125. Unless it was originally priced at $2500+ and they’re basically giving it away.

You really will be better served to invest in something that will last you a lifetime at home with little or no maintenance, then get something on the very low end of the market, that is designed more to sell than to use.

I know that it will cost a bit more, but think about how many years you’ve been doing Pilates and what you’ve spent to participate in private lessons and group classes 2- 3 days a week.  Then multiply that number out by the 25, 30, 40, or 50 years you’ve got left to use it!

For Example:

• Group Reformer Class 2 days a week at $25 = $50 week
• $50 a week x 4 weeks = $200 month
• $200 month x 12 months = $2400 year
• $2400 year x 20 years = and you’ve spent $48,000 to take 2 classes a week for a wonderful 20 years of great Pilates exercise!

Or spend $3,000-$4,000 on a good piece of equipment that you can use for the rest of your life at home and be on it 2, 3, 4 or more days a week!

Spending the money to invest in something that is well-made will be worth the money. Otherwise, you may find yourself like some of the other folks trying to get rid of stuff that they really can’t use (or won’t use) because it just isn’t sturdy, or safe enough, doesn’t feel right, or have adequate resistance like they are used to using in a Pilates studio.

A lot of the lower end machines don’t have springs, but are on giant rubber bands.  Some of the ones I’ve been on are tippy, and the foot bar is not solid, but wiggles when you use it.  They might be ok for the beginning basic exercises, but once you progress, you’re going to progress into needing a more sturdy Reformer.  Honestly, all of the people that I’ve talked to that have purchased lower-end equipment have been disappointed and aren’t using it like they thought they would.

Finding the Right Pilates Equipment Manufacturer to Buy From:

The major players that manufacture equipment all have home-models and some even sell fold-able reformers. These cost much more than the $125 bargain you’ve found on Craig’s list, but the difference in price for one of these from my perspective, still may not be worth the difference in quality of the feel of use when doing a workout on a regular studio reformer.

You might spend $1,000 – $2,000 for a high-end home Reformer, but the extra $1,000 -$1500 I would spend on a professional-grade piece of equipment, in the long run, just makes more sense to me.  Especially if I know I’m going to enjoy using it 3-4 days a week in my living room or basement for the next 20+ years.  But again, these comments are from my perspective.  Buying a good Pilates Reformer is like buying a good Treadmill.  If it doesn’t perform like the one at the health club, you might not be inclined to really use it.

I would love to hear what users who have actually purchased designed-for-home-use Reformers and foldable models have to say.

Here are a few links to go shopping for Pilates equipment:

Peak Pilates

Stott Pilates

Balanced Body Pilates

Gratz Pilates

Basil Blecher

Other manufacturers:

Teague Pilates

Home Equipment Manufacturer:

Stamina

There are probably quite a few other companies selling home equipment, but I really can’t with a clear conscious recommend them for purchase.  (Not sure I’d recommend everyone on the list above, but wanted to you have a variety of options to compare.)

• The difference in quality between professional grade and a $1,000 or less model is HUGE.
• I can’t recommend something I haven’t personally had a chance to use, to really see how they feel and work.

Since I haven’t been on every model out there, it’s a tough call.  I am partial to springs vs. bungee cords, and leather straps vs. ropes and risers.  I also prefer a foot bar that has several height adjustments.  Some manufacturers sell everything you need for your Reformer as a package, and other companies sell the reformer separately from the long/short box, handles, stick, and other accessories you might need to use.  So when comparing prices, you need to also compare the accessories that are included, or what you might have to spend extra money on.

Home Reformer Disappointments

I do know that while I was in Italy, I had the chance to get on a home model reformer that is being manufactured in Argentina.  It has promise for being a good lower-cost option, but the model we were on was a prototype and it was great for basic things, as soon as we progressed through a workout there were issues in keeping the carriage gliding evenly.  And we were only on it for 5-10 minutes.  Can’t imagine how it would hold up under normal use.  So I’m waiting and hoping that they will be able to get the bugs out, before I can recommend it, because it had great potential.

I also have a past client and teacher who ordered from Teague, because their prices are soooo much lower than everybody else.  But unfortunately, she was not thrilled with what she got.  But perhaps this would be a more economical option for you as they usually run some great specials on their equipment.

I would love to hear some comments from folks who are using Teague equipment to let the rest of us know how it compares to the big 3 manufacturers (Peak, Stott, and Balanced Body.)

Finding good used equipment is a challenge – if somebody posts good stuff, it usually sells very quickly. There are a few discussion boards and Pilates sites that do advertise used equipment for sale.

Here are two resources to shop for Used Pilates equipment that I know of:

The Pilates Guy

Pilates Connections Discussion Board (head to forums – Pilates Classifieds)

Yes, possibly on craigslist and eBay.  But the good stuff goes fast, and generally it holds its value – so a good slightly-used reformer won’t be much cheaper than buying a new one.  You might expect to pay  ½ price (plus or minus) for a well-used commercial grade reformer, even if it’s 20 years old!  (Plus shipping)

Final Thoughts

I Know that a $125 Pilates Reformer on Craig’s list sounds like a great bargain…but I’m just not sure you’re going to be happy with what you get. I do agree that it would be really good for you to have equipment that you can use at home to be consistent with your Pilates program.  You have demonstrated your commitment to yourself and your health by sticking with your Pilates workouts for so many years.  Shop around and spend your money wisely. I’m confident that, if, and when, you purchase something you will get your money’s worth and be using it regularly!

It’s always a big decision.  You’re not out much to spend $125 and try it!  But I will be curious to hear feedback from you if you do.

Hope this helps.  Let me know if I can assist you with anything else, and give me some feedback on the equipment you get when you make a decision and purchase a home Reformer.  Best of Luck finding the right equipment for your home Pilates workouts!

And to those of you that have already taken the plunge and purchased a reformer to use at home…

I’d love to hear your comments about the brand and model you’ve purchased:

• What Brand and Model did you purchase?
• Do you like it?
• Do you use it regularly?
• What are the pros and cons from your perspective!

Please share your thoughts so the folks that are still shopping can use your experience to make a great buying decision!

Good Execution of the Up Stretch
First, look at the starting position. In the UP position the “center” is strongly pulling to the spine in a C-Curve.(Look for an even back position from the tail to the head.) This should put the center of gravity in the center of the carriage – with the body weight balanced evenly between the hands and the feet.

Second, as the hips and legs extend to press the carriage out, the center/center of gravity should remain in the same spot and just lower so that the body is in a straight line from the head to the heels. (Depending on the height of your client and the length of their legs – the legs will be over the carriage and the “center” will be over the stretched springs.)

As they pull the carriage in, the “center” should remain in the “center” – so the body weight remains more evenly distributed between the hands and feet and there is less weight in the arms and shoulders so they can move freely to hinge forward over the bar.

Done well, once forward over the footbar, returning to the Up position is easily accomplished because the shoulders are free and the spine articulate easily from the top to the tail back to the Up position with the “center” over the center of the carriage.

What To Watch For:

1. If the center of gravity moves out with the legs – the arms and shoulders have a tendency to grip to put the brakes on and keep from going too far out. When this happens, clients pull themselves in with the shoulders and the “center” moves forward into the chest & shoulders. The result – no control and tons of weight on the arms and wrists. 
2. If the back sags as the carriage goes out, the movement is being initiated from the low back instead of the hips to extend the legs. This gives the “saggy old mare” visual and causes the center of gravity to be unsupported dropping the belly & back too low -the result the deltoids, upper traps, rhomboids, and back extensors are trying to do the work that the abs, multifidi, and serratus should be doing to support the body as it moves forward over the bar. (In simple terms…the shoulders will take over to pull the “center” into the chest & shoulders causing the upper back to hunch more while moving the body towards the footbar.) And too much weight on the hands and wrists.
3. To compensate for the lower body moving out – the “center” may be shifted forward from the “center” to the upper body as the legs extend. The deltoids are cued to do the work as the body hinges forward over the bar, PLUS all the body weight is moving forward with the carriage – assisted by the closing of the springs. Gripped shoulders, scrunched neck, folding the hips too soon, lots of weight on the hands. Panic will set in for sure!

Add a head position that’s looking forward over the footbar rather than down at the feet to any one of these three possibilities (or for some clients – a combination of 1,2, or all 3) and they are set up for that scarey “flying over the footbar” feeling.

In all my years of teaching, I’ve never had anyone actually fly over the bar! Comforting to tell folks, but they will be more reasurred by having complete control over their own body during the exercise. So the SECRET’s out…

Keep Your “Center” in the Center
With the “Center/Center of Gravity” staying supported and IN the pelvic bowl throughout the exercise, it is easy to keep the body lifted with less weight on the wrists, move freely – hinging from underneath rather than on top of the shoulders, articulate well through the spine and have great control over the body throughout the whole Up Stretch exercise.

Try it and let me know how it goes!