Upgrade Your At-Home Workouts With These Pilates Reformer Machines

So you wanna get an at-home Pilates machine, huh? If you're all about that C-curve life, then getting a Pilates reformer of your own can be a great investment. Don't get me wrong—I love a good mat Pilates video, but there's just something about being on a reformer that seems to add a lil extra challenge to my workout. While you can get some of the same benefits of Pilates—ya know, core strength, better posture, the works—from a mat workout, using a reformer can take things to the next level. But actually though. "With an at-home Pilates machine you can work your deepest layer of core muscles called the transverse abdominis, your entire back, arms, glutes, legs, and feet. That’s the beauty of Pilates, that it works all the muscles in the body synergistically," explains Olivia Bowman-Jackson, Pilates Fusion instructor at Ailey Extension in New York City.

Of course, unless you're the heiress to a hotel fortune (hi, Paris!!), then chances are you're going to want to make this investment verrrry carefully, bc the best Pilates reformer machines out there cost some serious coin. But it'll be worth it to have the convenience of using the machine whenever you want. Both Ife Obi, certified Pilates instructor and founder of The Fit In fitness studio, and Tiffany Lauren Mason, certified Pilates instructor and the founder of Harlem Pilates, recommend Balanced Body equipment for anyone looking to make the investment. "The functionality of certain elements—such as the headrest, footbar, carriage, rope, and pulley system—is very important," Mason says. "That’s why we advise investing in a reputable brand."

For certified Pilates instructor and TabPilates founder Tabatha Koylass, her fave brand is AeroPilates. "I like this company, as they have complementary and accompanying system supports, DVDs, and online workouts," she says. "However, I always tell clients to check the dimension and weight requirements to ensure it matches their personal needs, and most importantly, they want the machine to be very sturdy and stable with good traction systems, so the springs and pulleys are smooth."

If you're a Pilates devotee (or you just like to go all-in on new hobbies) and you have the space for a seven-foot-long piece of exercise equipment, then here are some of the top-rated Pilates reformer machines you can shop.