Best at-home reformer Pilates machines to help you tone and strengthen muscles

Pilates has been practised for nearly a century. However, in recent years, it’s seen a resurgence thanks to numerous celebrities - from Meghan Markle to Harry Styles - touting its ab-chiselling, arm-toning benefits.

While Pilates can be practised with no equipment at all, founder Joseph Pilates invented a number of machines to help practitioners further strengthen and tone their muscles. The pilates reformer became his most popular piece of equipment, thanks to its ability to combine traditional mat techniques with weight resistance. Most reformer pilates machines are found in studios. However, increasingly, they are becoming a must-have at home for dedicated fans.

Each wooden and metal contraption bears similar features: a body carriage that slides up and down metal rungs, a series of adjustable springs attached to straps for resistance training, as well as a foot bar. But which should you choose?

Consider your living space

Owning your own reformer might be tempting, but remember they do take up space. Most machines are around 2.5m long and weigh around 50kg. That’s before you take into account all the extra