Guide · 5 min read

Reformer vs mat Pilates: which one should you choose?

Both are Pilates, but they don't feel the same at all. Here is what changes between a reformer class and a mat class, and how to choose the one that suits you.

Mat Pilates: your body and the floor

Mat Pilates is done on a thick mat, with your own body weight as resistance. Teachers sometimes add small props: a ball, a ring, light weights, a band.

The movements are slow and precise, with a lot of focus on the core, posture and breathing. It looks gentle from the outside, but holding the right position with control is harder than it seems.

• Classes are usually bigger.
• It's easy to practise anywhere afterwards, even at home.
• It's often a little cheaper than reformer.

Reformer Pilates: the machine

The reformer is a bed-like machine with a sliding carriage, springs, straps and a footbar. The springs add or reduce resistance, so the same exercise can be made easier or harder.

You push and pull against the springs, lying down, sitting, kneeling or standing. The machine guides the movement, which many people find reassuring at the start, and the resistance makes the work feel strong.

• Classes are small: one person per machine.
• The teacher adjusts the springs to your level.
• It's the class most people mean when they say "Pilates" in Dubai.

Which one to start with?

There's no wrong choice. A few simple rules:

• You want a strong, guided workout: start with reformer.
• You want to learn the basics and the breathing: start with mat.
• You're watching your budget: mat classes, or reformer classes booked at the last minute.

Many people end up doing both: reformer for the intensity, mat for control and flexibility.

Try both without committing

On Spotd you book one class at a time, with no membership, at up to -40% when the class is close. It's an easy way to try reformer one week and mat the next, in different studios, and see what you prefer.

Questions people ask