Updated July, 2026
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend equipment I genuinely use and trust.
Buying a Pilates Reformer is a big investment.
Since 2014, I’ve taught thousands of classes and worked almost exclusively on Balanced Body equipment. I’ve also had the opportunity to try other popular Reformers.
If you’re looking for the best Pilates Reformer for home use, here’s my honest comparison.
Balanced Body Reformers
After teaching on Balanced Body Reformers for more than a decade, they’re still the machines I recommend most often to my members. They’re incredibly smooth, thoughtfully designed, and built to last. Even with so many new Reformers entering the market, I’d still choose Balanced Body for both studio and home use.
Why I Recommend Balanced Body
✔ Smooth carriage
Balanced Body Reformers are known for their smooth, quiet carriage, which makes movements feel more controlled, fluid, and enjoyable.
✔ Built to last
They’re built to withstand years of regular use. That’s why you’ll find them in many Pilates studios around the world.
✔ Adjustable
The footbar, headrest, shoulder rests, and springs are designed to accommodate a wide range of heights, abilities, and exercise styles, making the Reformers comfortable for beginners through advanced practitioners.
✔ Excellent spring system
Balanced Body offers four spring tensions: heavy (red), medium (blue), light (yellow), and an optional extra-heavy (green). Most Reformers come with three heavy springs, one medium spring, and one light spring. Different spring combinations allow you to adjust resistance for everything from rehabilitation and beginner exercises to advanced strength work.
✔ Made in the USA
Their Reformers are assembled in California, and most of their suppliers are U.S.-based. They’re known for exceptional craftsmanship and ship worldwide. A special discount is applied at checkout when you click on my links.
✔ Great resale value
Because the brand is well known for its quality, used Balanced Body Reformers tend to hold their value better than many lower-cost alternatives.
✔ Excellent customer service
Need a replacement spring or new upholstery years down the road? Balanced Body has a strong reputation for customer service and replacement parts, making it easy to maintain your Reformer for years to come.
✔ Used in studios worldwide
One of the reasons I trust Balanced Body is because it’s the equipment you’ll find in Pilates studios around the world. When you buy one for your home, you’re getting the same quality equipment that many professional instructors teach on every day.
Allegro 2 Reformer:
Price: $3,995 Standard, $4,345 with legs.
Material: Powder-coated aluminum frame, maple platform, heavy duty vinyl upholstery.
This is the Reformer I personally own and teach on. If someone asks me which Reformer to buy for home use, this is usually my recommendation.
I highly suggest getting it with the legs as that allows for more exercise options.
The Allegro 2 has an infinity footbar, meaning it slides horizontally the entire length of the frame, which offers additional exercise options.
On this machine, you can take off the shoulder blocks or rotate them to allow more room for your legs during exercises facing the back of the reformer. This is not an option on most of the other machines.
Allegro Nextgen Reformer:
Price: $3,245 standard, $3,595 with legs.
Material: Anodized aluminum frame, vinyl upholstery.
This Allegro is a significant $750 cheaper than the Allegro 2, which makes it enticing. It also has the infinity bar, and it’s lighter weight makes it easier to store in a vertical position. Important to note: the standing platform and carriage are a bit smaller than the Allegro 2.
Metro IQ:
Price: $2,295
This is Balanced Body’s home reformer option. It easily shortens so you can store it away under a bed or upright in a closet. Important to note: it doesn’t have legs, and the footbar can either be in high position, or completely off.
Allegro Stretch Reformer:
Price: $3,295 standard, $3,645 with legs
For you tallies out there. This is Balanced Body’s longest frame and longest and widest carriage.
Click here to shop Allegro Stretch
Studio Reformer:
Price: $4,400 – $4,800 depending on the footbar you choose.
Material: Strata maple frame, heavy duty vinyl upholstery
This is a beautiful reformer, and has more of a classic feel. There are four footbar options. I much prefer the XSR footbar for ease of use, compared to the classic footbar. You can also call Balanced Body and order a Studio reformer with the infinity footbar (the one that moves horizontally down the frame).
Merrithew Reformers
Price: $2,999 – $5,000 + Many of their options come with the box.
Merrithew makes quality equipment and is another well-respected brand. Personally, I prefer the feel and carriage glide of Balanced Body Reformers, but many instructors happily teach on Merrithew equipment. They offer two spring packages, so just make sure you know what you’re ordering if you go this route.
I found an Amazon link to this one: it’s $2,725 and includes the box, 4 heavy springs and 1 medium spring (so there’s not the super light spring here), no legs included so you’ll be closer to the floor.
AeroPilates
Price: $569
Material: Alloy steel frame
AeroPilates can be a great entry point if your budget is limited. However, the footbar does not move and there is only one spring tension available, so just keep in mind that you’ll have fewer adjustment options and exercise possibilities compared to a studio-quality Reformer.
Click here to shop AeroPilates
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, the best Pilates Reformer for you comes down to your budget and how you plan to use it.
If you can invest in a Balanced Body Reformer, I truly think it’s worth it. They’re built to last, hold their value remarkably well, and offer the versatility to grow with your practice for years to come.
Less expensive Reformers can absolutely be a great way to get started, and you can still enjoy many Pilates exercises on them. However, if you’re looking for a machine that offers the greatest exercise variety, exceptional durability, thoughtful design, and reliable customer support, I believe it’s worth saving a little longer for a Balanced Body Reformer.
If you’re interested in Balanced Body equipment, you get a discount on any of their Reformers (and equipment) through my links. You can also call them at 1-916-388-2838 and mention my name (Gabrielle Saran) to receive the special discount. Here’s the page to all of my links.
Having a reformer in your home makes working out even easier – I know this from experience! Once you found a reformer and are looking for workouts and guided programs, check out my app 🙂
For more equipment advice, check out this blog post about Reformer Boxes.
Hope this helped!
Gabrielle Saran
Frequently Asked Questions
The best Pilates Reformer depends on your budget, space, and goals. If you’re looking for a machine that feels like the ones used in professional studios, I recommend a Balanced Body Reformer. The Allegro 2 is my top pick for most home users because it’s easy to adjust, incredibly smooth, and versatile enough to grow with you as your practice progresses. If space is limited, the Metro IQ is an excellent compact option.
Home Pilates Reformers range from around $500 to over $5,000. Budget models can be a great introduction to Reformer Pilates, while premium machines offer smoother movement, better adjustability, and greater durability. If you plan to use your Reformer several times a week for years to come, investing in a higher-quality machine often pays off in both longevity and resale value.
In my opinion, yes. The Allegro 2 is the Reformer I personally use and teach on, and it’s the one I recommend most often. The Infinity Footbar, removable shoulder rests, smooth carriage, and thoughtful design make it incredibly versatile for both beginners and experienced practitioners. If your budget allows, I’d also recommend purchasing the version with legs for even more exercise options.
Absolutely. A quality home Reformer allows you to perform hundreds of Pilates exercises, from beginner fundamentals to advanced movements. The key isn’t whether you’re at home or in a studio—it’s having good instruction and a well-designed machine. With proper guidance, you can build strength, improve mobility, and enjoy the same Pilates principles you’d experience in a studio setting.
Most standard-sized Reformers work well for the majority of people. If you’re especially tall (around 6’2″ / 188 cm or taller) or simply prefer extra room to move, consider a longer model like the Balanced Body Allegro Stretch. Before purchasing, be sure to measure your workout space and allow extra room around the machine so you can comfortably perform standing and side-lying exercises.
It depends on how you plan to use your Reformer. A Tower adds tremendous versatility by allowing for additional strength, mobility, and rehabilitation exercises. If you have the space and know you’ll use it, it’s a fantastic investment. If you’re just starting out, however, a standard Reformer alone offers more than enough variety to keep you progressing for years.
A well-made Pilates Reformer can last for decades with proper care. Commercial-quality machines, like those from Balanced Body, are designed to withstand years of frequent use in busy studios as well as home environments. Springs and upholstery may eventually need replacing, but the frame itself is built to last. That’s one reason premium Reformers also tend to have excellent resale value.
