Types of Pilates Machines Explained (2025 Guide)
Choosing the right Pilates machine can be overwhelming — especially in 2025, with more options than ever for home and studio use. Whether you're setting up a boutique studio or carving out a corner in your apartment, this guide breaks down the most popular types of Pilates equipment — including reformers, towers, Cadillacs, chairs, barrels, and more.
Bonus: We’ll show you what each one is best for — and link to our most popular models so you can shop smart with confidence.
🧘♀️ 1. Pilates Reformer
The Pilates Reformer is the most iconic and versatile piece of Pilates equipment. With adjustable resistance springs, a sliding carriage, and foot/hand straps, it supports a wide range of exercises for core strength, flexibility, and rehabilitation.
- Best for: All levels — from beginners to athletes
- Great for: Full-body training, injury recovery, and flexibility
- Explore the Queen Reformer
🛏️ 2. Foldable & Home Pilates Reformers
If you want studio-quality Pilates without the studio space, a foldable reformer is your best friend. These are perfect for apartments, small homes, and shared workout spaces. They fold up, store easily, and still offer high-performance training.
- Best for: At-home Pilates workouts
- Why we love it: Portable, compact, and affordable
- See the Foldable Eco
🏛️ 3. Cadillac Pilates Reformer
The Cadillac Reformer takes your Pilates to another level. Designed for advanced rehabilitation, flexibility training, and total-body workouts, it includes a raised frame, spring bars, push-through bars, and more.
- Best for: Rehab, deep core work, flexibility
- Includes: Trapeze, springs, bars, and straps
- Explore Cadillac Reformers
🗼 4. Pilates Tower (with Reformer)
The Pilates Tower is an attachment system that transforms your reformer into a wall-unit-style workout station. It adds vertical spring resistance to enhance posture, alignment, and strength.
- Best for: Core control, spinal decompression, posture
- Good for: Home users wanting more versatility
- Check out Tower Reformers
🪑 5. Pilates Chair
Compact, effective, and great for building leg and upper-body strength — the Pilates Chair is ideal for athletes, dancers, or anyone short on space. It’s especially useful for stability training and balance.
- Best for: Home use, balance, lower-body strength
- Shop Pilates Chairs
🌀 6. Pilates Barrel & Spine Corrector
The Pilates Barrel and Spine Corrector are essential tools for spinal health, posture, and core engagement. They allow you to stretch and strengthen with full support through dynamic curves.
- Best for: Back pain, posture correction, flexibility
- Explore the Ladder Barrel
🚀 7. Studio-Grade Custom Machines
Want it all? The Sculptformer is our signature machine, engineered for high-performance boutique studios. Inspired by the Lagree method, it's perfect for group classes, personal training, and hybrid reformer workouts.
- Best for: Commercial studios or Lagree-inspired training
- Bonus: Customise your own machine here
"I started with the foldable reformer at home, and I’m now teaching group classes on the Sculptformer. These machines truly grow with your journey!" — Jessica L., Core Collab graduate
🔍 How to Choose the Right Pilates Machine
Need help deciding? Here’s a quick comparison:
| Machine | Best For | Ideal User |
|---|---|---|
| Reformer | Full-body workouts | Beginners to advanced |
| Foldable Reformer | Small spaces, at-home | Home users |
| Cadillac | Rehab, flexibility | Advanced students, rehab clients |
| Tower | Posture & core strength | Studio or hybrid users |
| Chair | Balance, lower body | Athletes, dancers, small spaces |
| Barrel | Posture, back pain | Everyone |
| Sculptformer | High-performance | Studios, trainers, advanced users |
Need help? Contact us here or browse all reformers.
→ Ready to level up your Pilates experience? Explore Our Reformers
