If you’re new to Pilates or thinking about trying it, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is: What’s the difference between Mat and Reformer Pilates? That’s something we get asked all the time, and the good news is—there’s no wrong choice. Both styles are great for building strength, improving flexibility, and helping you move and feel better in your body.
We offer both Mat and Reformer classes at our studio, so let’s walk through what each one involves so you can decide which one feels like the right fit for you—or if you’d like to try both.
Mat Pilates: Simple, Challenging, and All You Need Is a Mat
Mat Pilates is the foundation of the Pilates method. All you need is a mat and your own bodyweight to engage deeply with your core, breath, and movement. Mat Pilates is done on the floor and sometimes small props like resistance bands, rollers balls and rings.
Here’s what you can expect:
Mat Pilates is a great way to build strength from the inside out and learn the basics of how your body moves. You don’t need any fancy equipment, just a mat and a willingness to show up and give it a go.
Reformer Pilates : Movement with Support and Resistance. Reformer Pilates uses a machine with springs, straps, and a sliding platform to give you resistance as you move. It might look a little intimidating at first, but once you try it, most people love how supported and guided it feels.
Here’s what to expect:
The Reformer adds resistance to help you target specific muscles more effectively—and it feels really good to move with that kind of feedback and flow.
