Reformer vs mat pilates
Updated
Reformer vs mat pilates comes down to equipment and budget. Mat pilates uses your body weight on the floor and is the cheaper, easier class to find. Reformer pilates adds a spring-loaded machine, so the instructor can add resistance or support to each move. Pick mat to keep costs low; pick reformer if you want the machine.
The short answer
- Choose mat if price matters most, you want to practice at home between classes, or your local studio, gym or community center already runs mat classes at times you can make.
- Choose reformer if you want resistance from springs, like having equipment guide the movement, and can pay more per class.
- Do both if you can. Some studios teach mat and reformer under one membership, and the same principles carry from one to the other.
Neither is the “real” pilates. Joseph Pilates developed mat exercises and spring-based apparatus side by side[10].
Side by side
| Mat pilates | Reformer pilates | |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | A thick mat, sometimes small props (ring, ball, band, light weights) | A reformer: sliding carriage, springs, footbar, straps |
| Resistance | Your body weight and gravity | Springs, adjustable for each exercise |
| Support | None from equipment, so you hold every position yourself | Springs and straps can assist a move you can’t yet control |
| Class size | Limited by floor space, so often larger | Limited by the number of machines |
| Where it’s taught | Pilates studios, gyms, community centers, online | Pilates studios and some gyms with reformers |
| Cost | Usually lower | Usually higher |
| At home | Easy: a mat and some floor | Needs a home reformer |
| Learning curve | Exercises only | Exercises plus machine set-up |
How the classes feel different
On the mat, nothing moves but you. You lift your own legs, hold your own trunk steady, and there’s no machine to lean on. Some people find that harder than the reformer, which surprises them.
On the reformer, the carriage moves under you. Springs push back. A heavy spring setting can make a move feel steadier, and a light one can make you work to keep the carriage from sliding. The instructor changes the challenge by changing springs, not just by changing the exercise.
Reformer classes also have set-up. Every series starts with springs, footbar height and straps. Your first few classes go slower because of it.
What each costs
Reformer classes cost more because the studio has to buy, house and maintain a machine for every student. Mat classes need floor space and mats, so they’re cheaper to run and often cheaper to take.
Our directory tracks drop-in prices that studios publish. The median across 61 studios is $39, with a range of $10 to $99. Those numbers mix formats, because most studios list one drop-in price for any class, so we can’t yet split mat from reformer reliably. Expect reformer prices in the upper half of that range and mat prices in the lower half.
For a reformer benchmark, Club Pilates (a reformer-based chain) lists single drop-ins at $25 to $52, depending on the studio[1]. Full price details are in how much pilates classes cost.
Which to start with
Start on the mat if you’re unsure, on a budget, or want to learn the vocabulary first. The mat teaches the core movements without the extra job of setting up a machine.
Start on the reformer if a reformer studio is close, offers an intro class, and fits your budget. Beginner reformer classes are designed for people who have never touched one. Our reformer pilates for beginners guide covers what happens in that first session.
Already know which one you want? Search mat pilates near me or reformer pilates near me.
FAQ
Is reformer pilates better than mat pilates?
Neither is better overall. They use the same method with different equipment. Reformer pilates adds spring resistance and support and costs more. Mat pilates uses body weight, costs less and is easier to do at home. Choose based on your budget, what’s near you and whether you want to work with a machine.
Is mat pilates harder than reformer?
It can be. On the mat there’s no spring to assist you, so you control every movement with your own strength. On the reformer the springs can help or resist, depending on the setting. Many people find some mat exercises harder than their reformer versions, and some reformer exercises harder than anything on the mat.
Why is reformer pilates more expensive than mat?
Each student needs a machine. Studios buy reformers, maintain them and give each one floor space, so fewer students fit in a room than in a mat class. That cost shows up in the price. Mat classes need only space and mats, which is why gyms and community centers often include them.
Can I switch between mat and reformer classes?
Yes. The principles, breathing and many exercise names carry over. Many studios teach both, and some memberships let you book either. Mat work can be a cheap way to practice between reformer classes. If you move from mat to reformer, still start with an intro reformer class to learn the machine.
Do I need grip socks for mat pilates?
Usually not, but check with the studio. Mat classes are often done barefoot, though some studios ask for grip socks in every class for hygiene. Most reformer studios require grip socks, and many sell them at the front desk if you arrive without a pair.