How to choose your at home Reformer Pilates bed

How to choose your at home Reformer Pilates bed

Choosing the right at home folding Pilates reformer is a big decision. With at home Reformer Pilates workouts at your feet, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got the right piece of kit for the job. And if you’re relatively new to Reformer Pilates, or you’ve never given it a go before, it can be quite hard to know where to start. 

We’re here to help you choose the best at home Reformer Pilates bed for your living space. 

Key Takeaways: 

  • At home Pilates reformers are cheaper in the long-run 
  • A FOLD Pilates reformer comes with built-in community, a 3 year warranty and in-person support 
  • The FOLD Showroom offers you a chance to view your bed before you purchase
  • Warranty, genuine Pilates reviews and foldability are important considerations
Woman opens her at home folding Pilates reformer

Should I get an at home Reformer Pilates bed?

A good place to start is with the benefits of the at home Pilates reformer. 

(Now, we might be biased but we’ve got a lot of happy customers to back it up.) When it comes to at home Reformer Pilates, you get a lot of the same benefits as your studio sessions without the hassle of waitlists and travel time. 

While the upfront cost of a reformer bed may be higher than the cost of your monthly Reformer Pilates studio membership, there’s cost savings in the long run. That’s because you can do as many classes as you like - and for years! 

As well as waving goodbye to travel time, traffic and anxiously refreshing the waitlist, an at home Reformer Pilates bed gives you a lot more flexibility over your schedule. Rather than only training when there’s a class available, you can decide to work out whenever suits you. Feeling flexible at 4am? Go for it. 

So one thing to think about is whether you have space for your reformer bed. The good news is that a folding home Reformer Pilates bed from FOLD is designed to fit into spaces of all shapes and sizes. Plus, it comes with a built-in community and classes from expert trainers to keep you on track. 

What should I consider when choosing my at home Reformer Pilates bed?

Okay, so we’re doing this. But what’s next? Well, you’ll want to consider a few things to make sure you choose the right reformer bed for your wellness goals. 

Your space 

The first thing you’ll want to think about is your space. A flat reformer bed measures around 92.5 inches long, 23.6 inches wide and 11.4 inches tall. Besides that, you’ll also want to make sure you’ve got enough space to move around the carriage and to do any lateral movements. 

Unlike a lot of at home reformer beds, our at home Pilates reformer is fully foldable in less than a minute and with its roller wheels, it can easily be moved and stored in an upright position. And, while you might love showing off your new piece of kit to your visitors, our beds come in a variety of colourways, including Canadian maplewood or a more sultry red oak wood with customisable upholstery to look effortlessly chic and blend into most home interiors. 

The quality

If you end up with a poor quality bed that can’t withstand your sessions, then you’re better off sticking to your studio membership.  

Your home Reformer Pilates bed should be able to be put through its paces. That includes being resistant to sweat and day-to-day wear and tear. And not just that, it should also be comfortable and give you good grip. 

And if you fancy going one step further, getting your hands on a studio quality reformer bed is even better. (Psst, we know a place that does that.) 

The flexibility 

Whether Pilates is your middle name or you’re strapping in for the first time, you’ll want to find a reformer bed that moves the way you do - and gives you options when you need them. Look out for adjustable springs with a good range of resistance, straps, a sturdy foot bar and smooth carriage. This will allow you to use your bed for everything from recovery to challenging athletic workouts giving you a full range of motion. 

Man moves his at home Pilates reformer in the folded position

Add-ons and extra features

A reformer bed gives you endless amounts of workouts for all parts of your body and whatever your wellness goals. But with a few Reformer Pilates accessories and add-ons, you can do even more. 

Some pieces of kit that can offer new angles on your workouts are Pilates balls, circles, mats and dumbbells. Unless you already know what you’re doing, it might also help to have some guided classes to follow. 

Every FOLD reformer bed comes with a Pilates jump board and box as well as a free starter bundle of Pilates accessories, including a ball, circle, mat and pair of 1kg dumbbells. Plus, you’ll also get 6 months’ free access to the FOLD Reformer app which gives you unlimited live and on demand workouts with our expert trainers, plus exclusive access to in-person events. 

Your budget

You may also want to think about how much you’re willing to pay. When it comes to reformer beds, it really is worth investing a little bit more (if you can) to guarantee studio quality, or as close as you can get. 

It is a significant upfront cost but in the long run, if you’re ready to really get into at home Reformer Pilates, you won’t be disappointed by spending more money on a top quality experience.

Sustainability

Compare sustainability features between different Pilates reformer options. You may find recycled materials in some and in others, like FOLD, you’ll find a pledge for the planet. So far, we’ve planted 7,500 trees in Kenya and we’ve recently launched a new rental scheme to reduce waste. 

Key questions before you buy 

How easy is it to fold and move? 

For a folding at home Pilates reformer to be stable, it has to be heavy. The downside? For most models, it’s how easy it is to move without compromising quality. That’s why we’ve developed our Easi-FOLD™ patent-pending design which means unfolding your Pilates reformer has never been easier. Our latest design comes with L-shaped wheels that help guide the frame and assisted springs that effortlessly transfer the weight. You won’t believe you’ve just unfolded 75kg.

Freestanding Pilates reformer with Easi-FOLD patent-pending design

Where can I try an at home folding Pilates reformer  in person? 

If you’re considering trying out your Pilates reformer bed in person before you buy, then we’ve got the solution. Our London showroom is open for visits which is your chance to sample our popular designs and features as well as choose your style. If you’re looking to invest in the FOLD reformer for your studio, you can also book visits with our partner studios.

Who owns the design? 

When you’re making a big purchase, quality is a must and that goes for your Pilates reformer too. Many models on the market are mass-produced with companies having very few touchpoints after designs are submitted. FOLD is different. We’re constantly innovating and our designs are original and patent-pending, built from real craftsmanship, developed from customer feedback and designed to last. 

What warranty is offered? 

If you’re going to be using it a lot, you’ll want to know that someone’s on hand if you run into issues. It’s important to ensure your home Pilates reformer bed comes with a robust UK warranty.

At FOLD, we take pride in delivering quality equipment made to move with you. We offer a limited parts warranty up to 3 years.

What types of reviews should I look for and are they genuine? 

Make sure that the product you receive is authentic, will last and, crucially, actually exists. Look at the reviews and use services like Trustpilot to make sure that the company you’re buying from is legitimate. FOLD is the UK’s number one folding reformer bed and is trusted by more than 8000 people. We put our customers first because at home reformer Pilates shouldn’t cause you stress. Don’t just trust us, trust our reviews too.

Woman doing Pilates reformer in her kitchen

Why reviews matter when choosing your Pilates reformer

You may not need to listen to people’s opinions all the time but when it comes to choosing your Pilates reformer, it can help. A lot. Genuine reformer Pilates reviews help you to understand the product from all angles. Check for verified purchase tags on reviews to be sure that the information you’re reading is authentic and transparent. Real customer experiences are important. Brands will always try to get their product to appeal to you so it can help to back up what you’re reading with trusted customer feedback. 

What warranty and support do you get with FOLD?

Our folding Pilates reformer beds are designed with care and are built to last, so we don’t expect that you’ll run into problems. But sometimes, it happens. 

At FOLD, we take pride in delivering quality equipment made to move with you. We offer a limited parts warranty up to 3 years to cover manufacturing faults and material defects on original FOLD Reformers, including the following for original customers:

  • Frame: 3 years
  • Carriage & Foot-bar: 2 years
  • Springs: 1 year
  • Straps & Ropes: 1 year
  • Upholstery:1 year
  • All other fixtures, fittings & accessories: 1 year

We’re able to provide spare parts for all UK customers and our team can visit your home for maintenance as part of our new call-out service. 

We also have maintenance advice on our website to help you keep your Pilates reformer in tip-top condition so that it will last longer.

 

Comparison table


FOLD

Cheap Alternatives

Can it be folded?

Yes 

Not without compromising quality

Warranty

3 years 

Normally 1 - 2 years

Owns the design?

Yes

No

Accessories included?

Yes

Sometimes

Spare parts and servicing

Yes

Not mentioned



The Original FOLD Reformer Pilates Bed 

The Original FOLD Reformer Pilates Bed is one of the few folding reformer beds out there. We pride ourselves on being able to offer our customers a studio quality bed that’s durable and stylish, not compromising anywhere for its compact size. 

Our latest designs come in either Canadian maplewood or red oak wood and can be upholstered in black, vanilla, mocha or chocolate vegan-friendly PU leather, matching your aesthetic and complementing your home. But, it doesn’t just look good. Our new double-stitched upholstery gives extra comfort and durability as well as a premium look and feel. Every folding FOLD Pilates reformer is delivered with our signature 2-person service, placing your bed in whatever room you want it to go.  

We don’t just provide you the tools to enjoy at home reformer Pilates, we open you up to our community too. Through the FOLD app, not only will you find 100s of workouts from five dedicated coaches but you’ll also find a built-in community with access to meetups, curated rewards and member benefits. It’s a membership, not just another subscription.

With so many add ons and a community built into every purchase, you’ll find more reasons than one to join the FOLD. Shop beds.

Person checking FOLD app on their phone

 

FAQs

Is a home Pilates reformer worth it?

Absolutely! A home Pilates reformer allows you to do your favourite workouts from your favourite places. No more waitlist, timetable clashes or commuting to the studio. And, when you choose FOLD, you don’t have to give up the community either. Our app comes with in-built forums, live events and member meetups so you can make friends without having to go anywhere.

What’s the best reformer Pilates bed for small spaces?

A folding Pilates reformer is the best bed for small spaces because it won’t take up much room in your home. You can easily fold it away and stand it up in a corner of your chosen room or in a cupboard. The FOLD reformer comes with the Easi-FOLD™ patent-pending design which makes it easier than ever to fold and move. 

How much does a Pilates reformer cost in the UK?

Prices depend on quality but for a good reformer, you can expect to pay around £1,500 to £2,500. Our latest Original FOLD Reformer - With Easi-Fold™ is £2,099.99. 

Can I fold and store a Pilates reformer easily?

Yes, if you choose the right model. A design like the Original FOLD Reformer - With Easi-Fold™ comes with a patent-pending design which makes shifting 75kg of reformer absolutely effortless. 

 

 

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