Why is reformer pilates so expensive? - and why alarm bells should ring if it’s cheap.
Booking the average mat Pilates class in the UK might cost you between £7 to £15, but a reformer class can be double. Although you might be taken aback, there are few reasons why they cost what they do, and vitally, why you should expect to pay more for Reformer.
Equipment
We’ve come a long way from the original reformer that Joseph Pilates invented using rudimentary parts like bed springs and pulleys. A professional studio reformer needs to be sturdy, durable and safe and equipment of that quality doesn’t come cheap. Just one reformer might cost in the range of £2.5K to £7K. When you add that together for a whole class of reformers that is a BIG outlay. Plus, a good Reformer studio will be maintaining their reformers daily and replacing parts yearly, which is another additional cost to factor in to what you invest per class.
2. Training & InsuranceWith a sliding carriage, straps, ropes and pulleys, reformers are serious bits of kit and carry a lot more risk of accidents than a mat class. This is why if you want the safest Reformer experience with the best quality of teaching it is advisable to find a Reformer class run by a dedicated, trained and fully insured Pilates teacher who teaches small groups. There is a lot to think about in a reformer class, spring tension, footbar height, straps, and that’s before you even factor in what your body is doing.
To be insured to teach reformer, a teacher must have a recognised qualification. Big chain health clubs might give their personal trainers a weekend course to qualify them to teach their reformer offerings, but for a dedicated Pilates teacher they could pay thousands and spend months training.3. Class Size
Class size is more limited in reformer classes. This is due to the size of the reformers themselves - studio space dictates how many can fit in - and that in turn has an impact on how much a teacher needs to charge to earn a living. But class size also has to do with teaching quality and this is why alarm bells should be ringing if you are getting your reformer classes cheap. If a studio can offer reformer classes at a reduced rate by packing in as many reformers as they can then, honestly, the teaching quality is not going to be as attentive and focused on you as it would in a smaller class.
Lastly…..
5. It’s worth it.
Reformer is a workout like no other. Of course, you don’t have to pay to get fit. Fields for walking, mountains to hike and lakes to swim are all free (although most of us are pushed for time and access) and, sure, it costs nothing to roll your mat out and do a set of squats in your living room, but the results you will feel from reformer classes are worth every single penny. And it’s not just about getting physically fit (although you will). The mental focus reformer takes is like a meditation - the moves are so precise there is no headspace left for work stress or whether you booked the car in for it’s MOT. Joseph Pilates said “In 10 sessions, you will feel the difference. In 20, you will see the difference. And in 30, you'll have a whole new body”. I would add that in 30 you’ll know your body better than you did before. The reformer is the ultimate magnifying glass, allowing you to feel your strengths and deficits and helps you balance them by improving body awareness.
So, yes you can expect to pay double for a reformer class but if you can afford it, the benefits alone justify the cost, if nothing else.
About the Author: Laura Harding runs Colchester Pilates, offering mat, reformer and pregnancy classes in Colchester, Birch and Rowhedge, Essex, UK.
Reformer Pilates classes are held weekly in Colchester at The Old Joinery Studio, CO2 0LT. For full reformer timetable, pricing and how to book click here.