What is the difference between the oak and aluminium Pilates reformer?

The oak reformer has a solid oak frame, weighs 65kg and comes with a soft-bounce trampoline. The aluminium reformer is white, weighs 67kg and comes with an extender platform instead. They also fold differently: the aluminium model stands upright when folded, while the oak model folds down low. Both share the same carriage, springs, jump board and 200kg weight limit.

How much space does a Pilates reformer need?

Allow at least 2.3 metres of length. The oak Pilates reformer is 230 cm long and 69 cm wide when open, and the aluminium version is 64 cm wide and around 232 cm long. Add clearance at the sides and ends so you can step on and off the carriage and move freely during exercises.

How small does a Pilates reformer fold?

It depends on the frame. The aluminium Pilates reformer folds upright to 122 cm tall, with a footprint only 39 cm long, so it can stand against a wall. The oak reformer folds down flatter instead, to 46 cm high and 118 cm long. Both have built-in wheels for rolling into storage and come with a protective storage bag.

How much weight can a Pilates reformer hold?

Up to 200kg. That limit applies to both the oak and aluminium Pilates reformers in our range. The machines themselves weigh 65kg (oak) and 67kg (aluminium), so you’ll want two people to get one into place. After that, the built-in wheels handle most of the moving.

How does the spring resistance work on a Pilates reformer?

Colour-coded steel springs set the load. Yellow springs are light at 3.7 to 8.4kg, green are medium at 5.5 to 14.5kg and red are heavy at 13 to 28kg. You change the resistance by hooking springs on or off, with no tools. The aluminium Pilates reformer has six springs and the oak model has five.

What comes with a Pilates reformer?

Both models include a sitting box (61 x 37 x 22 cm), a jump board, an adjustable foot bar and a portable storage bag. The oak Pilates reformer adds a soft-bounce trampoline, and the aluminium model adds an extender platform. You also get a headboard and shoulder pads, and the foot bar has eight positions.

Does a Pilates reformer need assembling?

Very little. Both Pilates reformers in our home gym range arrive mostly pre-assembled, so you’re mainly attaching the accessories and setting the springs. Because the reformers weigh 65kg and 67kg, it’s worth having a second person help unbox one and get it into position.

Can I buy Pilates reformers from Bossy Cat?

Yes. Our Pilates Reformers range includes folding reformers with solid oak or aluminium frames, colour-coded spring resistance, and a trampoline or extender platform depending on the model. Delivery is free on all orders to UK mainland addresses and arrives in 3-5 working days, with no hidden fees. If you change your mind, you can return your order, but the return postage is paid by you.

Pilates Reformers

2 products

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 products

A reformer is the machine you see in Pilates studios: a sliding carriage on a frame, with springs underneath and a foot bar at one end. Ours fold down when you’re finished, so you can have one at home without giving up a whole room to it.

There are two frames to choose from. The oak reformer has a natural wood finish and comes with a soft-bounce trampoline. The aluminium reformer has a white finish, folds upright to stand 122 cm tall, and adds an extender platform. Both carry up to 200kg and use the same 63 x 62 cm carriage.

Resistance comes from colour-coded steel springs. Yellow is the lightest at 3.7 to 8.4kg, green sits in the middle and red goes up to 28kg. You hook or unhook springs to change the load. The cable pulleys have four height positions and the foot bar has eight.

Each reformer arrives mostly pre-assembled, with a sitting box, jump board, foot bar and storage bag in the box. Built-in wheels let you roll it out of the way after a session.

Delivery is free on all orders to UK mainland addresses and arrives in 3-5 working days, with no hidden fees.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 products

Pilates Reformer Machine - Aluminium by Monster Shop

Monster Shop Pilates Reformer Machine - Aluminium

£850.99

Monster Shop Pilates Reformer Machine - Oak

£764.99

Oak or aluminium?

The main differences are the finish, the extras and how each one folds. The oak reformer has a solid oak frame with steel parts and PVC leather upholstery. It weighs 65kg and comes with a trampoline that has a 35 x 33 cm centre. The aluminium reformer weighs 67kg, has a white finish and swaps the trampoline for an extender platform measuring 63 x 20.5 cm.

Everything else is shared: the carriage, the 62 x 18 cm foot board, the 58 x 36 cm jump board, the sitting box, the headboard and the shoulder pads.

Measuring up

Open out, these are long machines. The oak reformer is 230 cm long and 69 cm wide. The aluminium one is 64 cm wide and around 232 cm long. Leave space at the sides and ends so you can get on and off the carriage, and to move your arms and legs during exercises.

Storage is where the two differ most. The aluminium reformer folds up to stand on end, 122 cm tall with a footprint just 39 cm deep, so it can go against a wall or behind a door. The oak reformer folds down low instead, to 46 cm high and 118 cm long. That makes it a better fit under a high bed or in a spare room with a sloped ceiling.

Setting the resistance

Each spring colour covers a different range. Yellow is light (3.7 to 8.4kg), green is medium (5.5 to 14.5kg) and red is heavy (13 to 28kg). Combining springs changes the total, which is how one machine covers so many different exercises. Changing springs is a hook-on, hook-off job, with no tools needed.

If you’re new to reformer work, a few classes with an instructor will help you learn the set-up before you train alone. Check with your GP first if you have an injury or a health condition.

Moving and storing

At 65 to 67kg, neither reformer is light, but the built-in wheels take most of the effort out of moving one across the floor. When it’s folded away, put it in the storage bag to keep the dust off. Wipe down the PVC leather upholstery with a damp cloth after use.

To build out the rest of your space, have a look at our home gym range.

Delivery and returns

Delivery is free on all orders to UK mainland addresses and arrives in 3-5 working days, with no hidden fees. If you change your mind, you can return your order, but the return postage is paid by you.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the oak and aluminium Pilates reformer?
The oak reformer has a solid oak frame, weighs 65kg and comes with a soft-bounce trampoline. The aluminium reformer is white, weighs 67kg and comes with an extender platform instead. They also fold differently: the aluminium model stands upright when folded, while the oak model folds down low. Both share the same carriage, springs, jump board and 200kg weight limit.
How much space does a Pilates reformer need?
Allow at least 2.3 metres of length. The oak Pilates reformer is 230 cm long and 69 cm wide when open, and the aluminium version is 64 cm wide and around 232 cm long. Add clearance at the sides and ends so you can step on and off the carriage and move freely during exercises.
How small does a Pilates reformer fold?
It depends on the frame. The aluminium Pilates reformer folds upright to 122 cm tall, with a footprint only 39 cm long, so it can stand against a wall. The oak reformer folds down flatter instead, to 46 cm high and 118 cm long. Both have built-in wheels for rolling into storage and come with a protective storage bag.
How much weight can a Pilates reformer hold?
Up to 200kg. That limit applies to both the oak and aluminium Pilates reformers in our range. The machines themselves weigh 65kg (oak) and 67kg (aluminium), so you’ll want two people to get one into place. After that, the built-in wheels handle most of the moving.
How does the spring resistance work on a Pilates reformer?
Colour-coded steel springs set the load. Yellow springs are light at 3.7 to 8.4kg, green are medium at 5.5 to 14.5kg and red are heavy at 13 to 28kg. You change the resistance by hooking springs on or off, with no tools. The aluminium Pilates reformer has six springs and the oak model has five.
What comes with a Pilates reformer?
Both models include a sitting box (61 x 37 x 22 cm), a jump board, an adjustable foot bar and a portable storage bag. The oak Pilates reformer adds a soft-bounce trampoline, and the aluminium model adds an extender platform. You also get a headboard and shoulder pads, and the foot bar has eight positions.
Does a Pilates reformer need assembling?
Very little. Both Pilates reformers in our home gym range arrive mostly pre-assembled, so you’re mainly attaching the accessories and setting the springs. Because the reformers weigh 65kg and 67kg, it’s worth having a second person help unbox one and get it into position.
Can I buy Pilates reformers from Bossy Cat?
Yes. Our Pilates Reformers range includes folding reformers with solid oak or aluminium frames, colour-coded spring resistance, and a trampoline or extender platform depending on the model. Delivery is free on all orders to UK mainland addresses and arrives in 3-5 working days, with no hidden fees. If you change your mind, you can return your order, but the return postage is paid by you.