When we first started exploring at-home Pilates, the reformer felt like the “gold standard.” It’s the machine you see in boutique studios, the one everyone associates with long, lean muscles and precise, controlled movement. But bringing one into your home is a completely different experience.
While sleek in theory, reformers are bulky in reality and a little intimidating unless you’ve already logged serious studio hours. Without a trainer guiding you, it can be tough to know if you’re using it correctly or making progress at all.
After spending time with both the traditional reformer and amp™, we realized they deliver very different experiences. Here’s how they stack up.
If you want to track your progress…amp™
With a traditional reformer, every workout starts from scratch. There’s no way to see how many reps you did last time, whether you’re stronger today than you were last week, or how far you’ve come overall. Unless you’re scribbling notes in a journal, it’s mostly guesswork.
amp™ takes the guesswork out. It automatically tracks your workouts, adapts resistance in real time, and stores your progress inside the app. You can actually watch your strength improve week by week, which makes showing up all the more motivating.
If you’re looking for variety…amp™
A reformer is designed almost exclusively for Pilates, and while you can mix up a few moves, the repertoire is limited. For us, the workouts quickly started to feel repetitive, and when exercise feels like a chore, it’s tough to stay consistent.
amp™ flips that script with its catalog of more than 500 exercises that span Pilates-inspired moves, full-body strength, mobility, and cardio. You never run out of options, so every session feels fresh and engaging.
If design matters to you…amp™
Let’s be honest, traditional Pilates reformers may look elegant in a studio, but at home, they’re another story. They’re long, heavy, and take up a ton of floor space. Even premium models tend to dominate a room, which is why most people tuck them away in a basement, garage, or spare bedroom. Out of sight usually means out of mind, and that can make staying consistent harder than it should be.
amp™ was designed with real homes and real lifestyles in mind. Its wall-mounted, space-saving design keeps your floor clear and your room open. The sleek black and metallic finish looks modern and intentional, more like high-end tech than fitness equipment. You could mount it in your living room, bedroom, or office and it would still look amazing. Because amp™ fits seamlessly into your space, it’s easy to use every day. It becomes part of your home, not clutter in it.
If you want guided structure…amp™
Here’s where things can get tricky with reformers: unless you’re already fluent in Pilates, you’ll either spend hours watching tutorials online or pay for a trainer to guide you (which can get pricey fast). Otherwise, it’s easy to feel lost.
With amp™, workouts are led by trainers and powered by AI. The system adjusts automatically to your fitness level and goals, so you always know exactly what to do when you step up. There’s no confusion, just a clear, personalized path forward.
If you’re considering price…amp™
Premium reformers are often more expensive than amp™, and they don’t include training, coaching, or tracking. So while the upfront price may look similar (or even higher), the real cost of a reformer adds up fast if you factor in personal training sessions.
With amp™, you’re getting the smart system, professional-level coaching, and app-based tracking in one package. When you compare apples to apples, it’s the better long-term value.
Why amp™ Wins: The Clear Choice for At-Home Fitness
After spending real time with both, we think the choice is clear. Reformers have history and a touch of elegance, but amp™ brings everything we want for an at-home setup: progress tracking, endless variety, built-in coaching, sleek design, and better value.
In all five categories, amp™ comes out ahead. For anyone serious about consistency, results, and convenience, it’s the overall winner.
