Home Reformer Machine

A home reformer machine is a full Pilates reformer sized and built for a house rather than a studio. The best one for your home is the one that fits the room and stays easy to use, because the machine you train on every week beats the one you have to wrestle out of a cupboard. For most people that comes down to 1 decision: foldable or fixed.

Here is what actually matters, how the Onyx Fold, Onyx and Ivory Reformer compare, and how to work out which one belongs in your home.

What makes a good home reformer machine

Most home reformers look similar in photos. The differences that matter are the ones you feel once you are on the carriage.

1. The springs. They create every bit of resistance you work against. You want a graduated set that feels smooth through the whole movement and holds its tension for years. All 3 machines here use a 6 spring system.
2. The glide. A good carriage rolls quietly from end to end with no catch and no side to side play. That comes down to the wheels, and we use the same wheels across our whole range.
3. The frame. It needs to stay planted when you push hard or move fast. On a foldable, look for a support bar down the middle and feet under the centre of the frame, so the fold point never flexes.
4. The footbar. It should adjust to different positions so the machine suits your height and the exercise you are doing.
5. The accessories. A jumpboard and box open up a huge amount of the reformer repertoire. Check whether they are included or extra.

Get those right and the rest is format and finish.

Foldable or fixed: the decision that matters

Every home reformer falls into 1 of 2 camps, and choosing the right camp matters far more than choosing the model.

A foldable reformer folds and stands upright on its wheels when you are finished, so the room can go back to being a living room, bedroom or study. The Onyx Fold, Ivory Reformer and White Edition are all foldable, with identical specs in different finishes.

A fixed frame reformer has no hinge in the rails. It sits lower and feels more grounded under heavy or fast work, and it suits a room that is set up for training and stays that way. The Onyx Reformer is our fixed frame machine in black.

The simplest test is to ask what else happens in that room. If the answer is "something every day", go foldable. If the answer is "nothing", go fixed. Most people overthink this, and the answer is usually obvious once they ask it.

Onyx Fold Reformer: for rooms that do 2 jobs

The Onyx Fold Reformer is the machine I point most people towards when space is the main concern. It is a commercial grade aluminium reformer with a 6 spring system, a centre support bar and wheels, and it folds to stand upright when you are done.

Open, it measures 244 by 68 centimetres. Folded, it takes up roughly the floor space of a narrow bookcase, which is what makes it work in apartments and shared rooms.

The black frame and upholstery hide everyday wear well, which matters more than people expect when the machine lives in a busy room.

Best for: apartments, shared living spaces and anyone who wants the room back after every session.

Onyx Reformer: for a room that is just for Pilates

The Onyx Reformer is our fixed frame commercial model. Full aluminium frame, 6 spring system, and finished in black throughout. Without a fold point, it has a solid, grounded feel under load that you notice most during jumpboard work and heavier spring settings.

It is about 2.5 metres long, so it needs a room where it can stay set up. It can still stand upright on its end when you need the floor, with the footbar balancing it on the other side, but it is built to stay down and be used.

If you prefer a lighter look, the Sienna Reformer is the same machine with a white frame and beige upholstery.

Best for: spare rooms, garages and home studios where the reformer never needs to move.

Ivory Reformer: for a reformer that lives on show

The Ivory Reformer has been our best seller for years, and it is the one people choose when the reformer will sit somewhere visible. A black frame with maple running through the middle and black leather gives it a warmer, softer look than an all black machine.

Underneath, it is identical to the Onyx Fold. Same 6 spring system, same centre support bar, same 244 by 68 centimetre frame, same fold. It weighs 65 kilograms and rolls on its wheels rather than needing to be lifted.

Prefer something brighter still? The White Edition is the same machine with a white frame.

Best for: living rooms and open plan spaces where the reformer needs to look as good as it performs.

If you want to see the whole range side by side, including the timber and studio models, our guide to the best Pilates reformer in Australia compares every machine.

How much space a home reformer needs

Measure before you choose, not after. A reformer that is 244 centimetres long needs more than 244 centimetres of floor.

Length. Allow roughly 60 centimetres clear at each end so you can stand behind the footbar and sit up at the shoulder rests without your head near a wall.

Width. Keep at least 1 long side open so you can get on and off easily and move your arms freely during strap work.

Storage. For a foldable, measure where it will stand upright. For a fixed frame, check the room can hold it permanently.

The way in. Reformers arrive in a crate and need 2 people to carry, so check doorways, stairs and tight turns between the front door and the room.

I went through every model in detail in how much space do you need for a reformer.

What comes with every machine

Every reformer arrives almost fully assembled, with only the ropes and poles to fit, and includes:

A jumpboard and box, matched to the colour of your reformer.

A yoga starter kit for floor work and stretching.

3 months of the Fit by FitBoutique app, with on demand reformer, mat and yoga classes taught by instructors who cue every spring change.

A 5 year warranty that covers the springs, with spare parts held in Melbourne.

Delivery is free Australia wide, dispatched from Melbourne. Afterpay is available, and Zip offers up to 24 months interest free if you would rather spread the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions