Reformer pilates classes
Updated
Reformer pilates classes are small group sessions where each person works on their own reformer while an instructor calls out springs, positions and breathing. Most run under an hour. A drop-in class in our directory has a median price of $39, and many studios offer a free or discounted intro class for new students.
What happens in a reformer class
You arrive, take off your shoes, put on grip socks and pick a machine. The instructor checks who’s new. Then the class runs in short series, usually starting on your back with feet on the footbar (studios call this footwork), moving to straps for arm and leg work, and finishing with kneeling, seated or standing work on the carriage.
Spring changes happen between series. Early on you’ll be slower at them than everyone else. Nobody minds.
Length varies by studio. Club Pilates classes run 50 minutes[1]. Boutique studios set their own, so check the schedule before you book.
Class formats you’ll see on a schedule
Studio schedules use their own names, but most classes fall into a handful of formats:
| Format | What it usually means | Good first class? |
|---|---|---|
| Intro, fundamentals, level 1 | Slower pace, spring settings and set-up explained | Yes |
| All levels, flow | Standard class, instructor offers easier and harder options | After a few intro classes |
| Jumpboard or cardio | A padded board replaces the footbar so you can jump lying down | Not first |
| Reformer and tower, or combo | Uses the reformer plus other apparatus in the room | Not first |
| Level 2 and up | Faster transitions, harder springs, less explanation | No |
| Private or duet | One or two students with one instructor | Yes, if budget allows |
Club Pilates, for example, uses four levels (1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5) across eight class types[4]. Other studios use names like “foundations” or “essentials” for the same idea.
Lagree and Megaformer classes look similar from the doorway but use a different machine and a different method. If a studio’s schedule says Lagree, it’s not a standard reformer class.
What reformer classes cost
Prices come in four shapes: a single drop-in, a class pack, a monthly membership and an intro offer.
Across the studios we list that publish a drop-in price, the median is $39 and the range runs $10 to $99, from a sample of 61 studios. Those figures cover any format the studio sells as a drop-in, so reformer classes tend to sit in the upper half.
Club Pilates publishes national ranges because its franchise studios set their own prices[2]:
- Single drop-in: $25 to $52[1]
- 4 classes a month: $79 to $169[1]
- 8 classes a month: $139 to $305[1]
- Unlimited: $189 to $397 a month[1]
The full breakdown, including per-class math, is on the Club Pilates prices page. For independent studios and every way of paying, see how much pilates classes cost.
How to choose a reformer studio
Look at the schedule before the photos. A studio is only useful if its beginner classes fit your week.
- Find the beginner classes. Check how many intro or level 1 slots run each week and at what times.
- Price your first month. Add the intro offer to whatever pack or membership you’d buy next, then divide by the classes you’d actually take.
- Read the cancellation policy. Many studios charge for late cancels. Club Pilates asks for 12 hours’ notice for group classes, or you lose a class credit or pay a late cancel fee[8].
- Ask about class size. It’s set by how many reformers fit in the room. Ask how many there are.
- Check the socks rule. Most reformer studios require grip socks and sell them at the desk.
Every studio page on this site shows hours with the date we last checked them, the Google rating with its review count, and any prices the studio publishes.
Find reformer pilates classes by city
Start with reformer pilates near me to search from your location, or open a city:
- Pilates classes in New York and pilates classes in Brooklyn
- Pilates classes in Los Angeles and pilates classes in San Diego
- Pilates classes in Chicago
- Pilates classes in Houston, pilates classes in Dallas and pilates classes in Austin
- Pilates classes in Miami and pilates classes in Atlanta
- Pilates classes in Phoenix, pilates classes in Denver and pilates classes in Seattle
- Pilates classes in Nashville and pilates classes in Charlotte
FAQ
How much is a reformer pilates class?
In our directory, the median published drop-in price is $39, across 61 studios that list one. Reformer classes usually cost more than mat classes at the same studio. Memberships and class packs lower the per-class price, and many studios discount the first class or first week for new students.
How long is a reformer pilates class?
Most group classes run under an hour, and the studio sets the length. Club Pilates classes are 50 minutes, and its free intro class is 30 minutes. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for your first visit so the instructor can show you the machine and set up your springs before class starts.
Do I need experience to take a reformer class?
No. Book a class labeled intro, fundamentals, foundations or level 1. Those classes explain the spring settings, the straps and the footbar before each series. Skip all-levels and level 2 classes until you can set up the machine without help, which for most people takes a handful of sessions.
What’s the difference between reformer and Lagree classes?
Lagree classes use a machine called the Megaformer and follow a separate method with its own training. The room looks similar, but the exercises, pacing and equipment differ. If you want a standard reformer class, look for pilates studios that list the reformer, and check that the schedule doesn’t say Lagree.
Can I cancel a reformer class I booked?
Usually, if you give enough notice. Each studio sets its own window and penalty. Club Pilates asks for 12 hours’ notice for group classes and intro sessions; cancel later and you lose a class credit or pay a late cancel fee, depending on your membership. Check the policy before you book.