What I Learned After Replacing My Gym Routine with a Pilates Reformer at Home

I used to be a full-on gym rat — weights, cables, machines that made you feel like a robot mid-disaster. But between busy mornings, working from home, and that creeping feeling that I was paying £40/month just to stretch beside strangers, I decided to switch it up.

 

That’s when I stumbled across something I didn’t expect to love: a Pilates reformer machine.

Not in a studio. Not with soft music and a whispering instructor. Just… in my front room.

And honestly? Game-changer.

 

The Gym (but Smaller, Quieter, and Actually Fun)

 

I didn’t realise how much at-home workout equipment had evolved. This one machine lets me glide, crunch, push, and stretch — basically the greatest hits of all my old routines, but in a way that feels more fluid. More connected. Less like I’m about to drop a dumbbell on my toe.

I use it for:

 

• Core work (ab crunches, oblique stretches, sit-up variations)

• Pull-focused moves that feel like a gentler version of using a door bar or doing weighted pull-ups

• Pushing exercises using the adjustable bar — kind of like a pushup board, but with better support

• And low-impact resistance moves that mimic the best parts of a rowing machine or a walking pad session

When You Replace Chaos with Control

What surprised me most? The control. Every movement feels intentional. It’s not about brute force or how many reps I can hammer out. It’s more about strength training that connects mind and body — kind of like yoga with better abs.

The reformer-style glide is smooth. The padding’s actually comfortable. And I can adjust the incline, pads, and bar height to match how I’m feeling that day — whether I want to go full beast mode or barely move but still feel accomplished.

The Hidden Bonus: Versatility

The reformer isn’t just for Pilates purists. I’ve added:

 

• Resistance bands for extra challenge

• A Pilates band kit and reformer ring for leg and glute work

• A roller wheel on rest days just to stay limber

• Even used the surface as a multi mat for casual stretching or floor workouts

I didn’t expect one piece of gear to replace a full fitness gym, but it’s getting close. And no one’s waiting for me to wipe it down.

 

Final Thoughts

 

There’s something kind of freeing about having everything you need to push, row, sit, stretch, and sweat in one place — no commute, no queues, no judgment.

If you’re burnt out on gym culture, short on time, or just want a way to move that feels good again, a Pilates reformer might be that one weird-looking thing that actually works.

 

And no, it doesn’t need to be pink or come with whale sounds.

Ready to rethink your home workouts? Check out the pilates reformer I’m using right here — it might just replace your entire routine.