Reformer vs Mat Pilates: Which Should You Choose?
Reformer and mat Pilates build the same foundations in very different ways. Compare difficulty, results, cost and feel — and find out which class to book first as a beginner in London.
Aligné Studio Team
8 July 2026
Walk into any Pilates studio and you'll usually find two kinds of classes on the timetable: mat classes, where you work with your own bodyweight, and reformer classes, built around a sliding carriage with springs and straps. Both are "real" Pilates. Both build the same foundations — core strength, control, flexibility, posture. But they get there in noticeably different ways.
If you're deciding which to book first, here's the honest comparison we give clients at our London studio.
What Is Mat Pilates?
Mat Pilates is the original form of the practice — Joseph Pilates designed the mat repertoire first. You work on a cushioned mat using your own bodyweight as resistance, sometimes with small props like rings, bands or light weights.
Because there's no machine to guide you, your body has to do all of the stabilising itself. That sounds easier than it is: a well-taught mat class is deceptively challenging, and it teaches body awareness you'll carry into every other kind of training.
At Aligné our mat classes have an extra dimension — they're taught on infrared-heated mats, which warm your muscles for deeper, safer stretching.
What Is Reformer Pilates?
The reformer is a bed-like frame with a sliding carriage, adjustable springs, ropes and a footbar. The springs provide resistance you push and pull against — or assistance that supports you through movements you couldn't yet do unaided on a mat.
That dual nature is the reformer's superpower. The same machine that challenges an experienced athlete can gently support a complete beginner or someone recovering from injury. If you're curious what a first session feels like, we've written a full guide to your first reformer class.
The Key Differences
Resistance. Mat classes use bodyweight and gravity; the reformer adds spring resistance you can scale up or down. That means faster strength gains on the reformer for most people, especially in the legs and arms.
Support. On a mat, nothing holds you up but you. On a reformer, the springs and carriage can assist a movement — which is why beginners often achieve better form on the reformer from day one.
Feedback. The reformer's moving carriage tells you instantly when you're rushing or using momentum. Mat work develops your own internal feedback instead — a slower but valuable skill.
Variety. A reformer offers hundreds of exercise variations by changing springs, straps and body position. Mat classes rely on the instructor's creativity with sequences and props.
Cost. Reformer classes typically cost more than mat classes anywhere you go — machines are expensive and class sizes are limited by the number of beds. Our packages work for both class types, so you can mix and match.
Which Is Better for Beginners?
Honestly: either — but for different people.
Choose reformer first if you want guided support while you learn, you're returning from injury (with your doctor's blessing), or you find it easier to understand a movement when equipment shapes it for you.
Choose mat first if you want to build body awareness from the ground up, you like the idea of a practice you can also do at home, or a heated class appeals — the warmth of an infrared mat class makes early flexibility work noticeably more comfortable.
There's no wrong door. The fundamentals — breath, core engagement, control — transfer completely between the two.
Why Not Both?
Most of our long-term clients settle into a mix: reformer sessions for strength and resistance work, mat sessions for control, mobility and the deep-stretch benefits of infrared heat. The formats complement each other so well that how often you practise usually matters more than which format you pick.
The core strength you build in either format is the same foundation — we've written about why core strength matters far beyond aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is reformer Pilates harder than mat Pilates?
Neither is inherently harder — both scale from gentle to brutal. Beginners often find the reformer easier to start with because the springs assist and guide movement, while advanced practitioners can make either format extremely challenging.
Can I do reformer Pilates with no experience?
Yes. Our instructors set up the machine for you and teach the fundamentals in your first session. Small class sizes mean you're never left guessing.
Which burns more calories?
Reformer classes tend to be slightly more physically demanding because of the added resistance, but the difference is modest. Pilates of either kind is a strength-and-control practice first, not cardio.
Do I need different clothing or equipment?
The same fitted, comfortable clothing works for both. For reformer classes, grip socks are recommended. Everything else is provided by the studio.
Try Both and Decide
The genuinely best answer to "reformer or mat?" is to feel the difference yourself. Our intro offer — 3 classes for £50 — is designed exactly for this: try a reformer class, an infrared mat class and one more of whichever you loved, all within a month. Check the timetable to see what fits your week.
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