Hey everyone! I regularly get asked which Reformers I recommend. I love the brand Balanced Body because that's the one I'm most familiar with, and it's tip top quality. I know a lot of people also like Stott Pilates reformers. The AeroPilates reformers are the most economical, but I'm not sure what their spring tensions are (if they have heavy, medium, and light spring options like Balanced Body has).

Here's a link with my Balanced Body recommendations (receive 5% off through these links): https://www.saranpilates.com/shop-equipment

What I look for in a Reformer:

- Off the floor: including legs on a reformer will give you more exercise options, and it's more comfortable to be off the floor a bit.
- Varied spring tensions: a few heavy springs, one medium, one light spring.
- A wide platform: or the option to include a wider platform to make standing exercises safer.
- A moveable bar: this is a very cool option but not completely necessary :)

The Reformer I use is the Allegro 2 by Balanced Body. Mine has the legs so it's off the floor. It has a wider platform, and the moveable steel bar. I also have the bar padding to make it more comfortable on the hands and wrists. Here is the direct link: https://www.pilates.com/products/allegro-2-pilates-reformer?bbAffiliateID=715151PR

I hope this helps!

Cheers,
Gabrielle

Hi! I started practicing Pilates on a Balanced Body studio reformer and also completed my comprehensive teacher training on the BB reformer (at Club Pilates). I was torn between purchasing the Merrithew and the BB Allegro 2 reformer and went for the Merrithew V2Max ... an instructor I took private sessions with had the Merrithew and I decided I liked it. But it's been about 2-1/2 years and I'm thinking of switching and buying the Allegro. The Merrithew is awesome but I feel like I can never get used to the shorter bed size, the shoulder blocks feel very narrow and bulky as well.

You mentioned you have the steel footbar on the Allegro - do you know if there is any advantage to having the carbon fiber footbar instead?
Also, does your Allegro have the very heavy green spring? At Club Pilates where I teach the BB reformers have 2 red, 1 Green, 1 Blue and 1 Yellow... so I'm used to having that green spring.
Any insight is appreciated!!

Hi Alison,

I do have the steel footbar, not the carbon fiber one - I prefer it to the carbon fiber because it feels more sturdy. I think BB made the carbon fiber one because people were complaining that the footbar was difficult to move around (it's not, it just takes practice and patience), and so they made this lighter bar. However, because it's lighter in weight than the steel one, I feel like it makes it harder to lock in place. That being said, it's all a question of what you're used to, and both bars will do the trick.
I don't have the green spring - although I've worked with Reformers that have had it - but I don't feel like it's a necessary option. I don't ever make the spring load heavier than three reds and one yellow anyway, so I don't need it. But, again, a green spring is not a bad thing to have either.

In any case, I think you'll be happy with an Allegro 2 :)

Cheers,
Gabrielle