Mat-based Pilates sessions are a firm favourite of mine, but there’s no denying that reformer Pilates challenges the body in a different way.
But like studio memberships, at-home reformer Pilates machines usually come with a hefty price tag, expect four figures for OG brands, which is why I was intrigued by the Gymproluxe Pilates Reformer.
It’s a lot more affordable than other Reformer machines at $398, but still promises to deliver studio-quality Pilates at home, so I jumped at the opportunity to try it out.
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What is the Gymproluxe Pilates Reformer?
(Image credit: Katie Sims)
It’s a portable, foldable reformer machine that’s a step up from plastic Pilates boards. It’s lightweight enough to pack away and store when you’re not using it, which is one of the main draws.
The Gymproluxe Pilates Reformer consists of a sturdy, solid wood base, slider board, adjustable resistance bands (which go up to 90kg), and a detachable bar. The machine can be used for strength training, Pilates and HIIT workouts.
After using it for 30 days, here’s what I discovered.
My experience
1. It’s easy to put together and take apart
As excited as I was to try the Gymproluxe Pilates Reformer, I was a little nervous about where I’d store it. But its portability became one of my favourite features, because it meant I could set up and pack the reformer away with ease.
It only takes a few minutes to set up and take down, which I think is important for any at-home workout equipment—I’m less likely to use equipment if it feels like a hassle.
The speed of set-up meant I was still happy to get the Gymproluxe Pilates Reformer out on busy days when I only had time for a quick 15-minute workout.
It’s a little intimidating when the Reformer first arrives, but there’s a handy tutorial on YouTube that walks you through the set-up process.
2. It’s great for building strength at home
(Image credit: Katie Sims)
What impressed me most about the Gymproluxe Pilates Reformer is the range of strength exercises you can do on it. Gymproluxe has a handy exercise library online which shows all the different ways to use the machine. You can also access the library of over 100 exercises in the Gymproluxe app.
When using the machine for the first time, I made the mistake of trying to tick off as many exercises as possible, which left me feeling a little overwhelmed.
I’d definitely recommend focusing on specific areas of the body—at least for the first couple of times—rather than trying to do everything at once.
After about a week of testing, I realized I could put together great upper-body, lower-body, and core workouts at home. Some of the moves that stand out as particularly challenging are plank, side plank, heel taps, curtsies and skaters.
Most of these moves involve drawing a slider board (on the base) in and out, which really challenges both balance and strength. It doesn’t take many reps before the targeted body area starts to shake from the effort required.
The challenging nature of the workouts encouraged me to skip a few gym sessions in favour of home workouts on the reformer.
I’ve tested other pieces of workout equipment in the past, but nothing has encouraged me to stay and train at home as much as the Gymproluxe Pilates reformer.
3. It’s as good for stretching as it is for strengthening
(Image credit: Katie Sims)
During my 30-day testing period, I realized I was using this machine to stretch as much as I was to strength train. This is something I didn’t expect, but as someone who experiences a lot of stiffness in my hips and glutes areas, I was pleased.
Hooking my feet into the footstraps and placing my lower body on the slider board meant I could do 360° leg circles, which were always punctuated with satisfying clicks as my hips adjusted to the movement.
It allowed me to stretch in a way that’s hard to replicate on the floor, and there were a couple of instances when I got the reformer out just to stretch after a long day of sitting.
4. It’s a great way to challenge balance
(Image credit: Katie Sims)
Aside from stretching and strengthening, the Gymproluxe Pilates Reformer is a great way to challenge your balance. Any moves that involve the slider board are naturally less stable than if they were performed on the floor, so even a simple squat becomes a balance challenge.
It takes both strength and balance to keep the slider board still, and over my 30-day testing period, I started to notice more stability when using the reformer.
There’s also the option to use the reformer as a balance board. For this, two balance board sliders are added to the Pilates board (separate from the slider board and base) and the challenge is to keep the board as steady as possible. It’s hard, especially when you start to squat.
Balance isn’t something I work on regularly, so I was pleased with this unexpected extra.
My verdict
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the 30-days of testing.
I was a little skeptical at first, but after a month of using it, I can confidently say that my home workouts have never been better.
It even began replacing gym sessions and in-person classes, because I found I could get just as good a workout at home using the reformer machine.
It’s safe to say that the Gymproluxe Portable Pilates Reformer has earned a permanent spot in my home.
Gymproluxe Portable Pilates Refomer