Reformer vs Mat Pilates: What's the Difference?

What is Mat Pilates?

Mat Pilates is Pilates performed on a floor mat, using body weight as resistance, sometimes with small equipment like a resistance band, Pilates ring, or light hand weights. It focuses on controlled, precise movement, breath coordination, and building the deep core and postural muscles.

Because it needs no specialist machinery, Mat Pilates is accessible, portable, and a good foundation for understanding Pilates principles (alignment, breath, and control) before or alongside Reformer work.

What is Reformer Pilates?

Reformer Pilates is Pilates performed on a reformer: a sliding carriage attached to a frame by a set of springs, which can be adjusted to add or reduce resistance. Instead of relying purely on body weight, the springs provide support in some movements and resistance in others.

This makes it possible to fine-tune intensity precisely for each person and each exercise, which is one reason Reformer Pilates is widely used in clinical and rehabilitation settings, not just fitness studios. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy notes that many of its members use Pilates as part of rehabilitation programmes for exactly this reason. At our Grantham clinic, sessions use Align Pilates equipment, taught by an APPI-qualified instructor.

Key differences at a glance

Which is better for beginners?

Both work well for complete beginners. The deciding factor is usually personal preference and teaching style, not the equipment itself. Some beginners prefer Mat Pilates because it feels simpler and more familiar. Others prefer Reformer Pilates because the machine provides a frame of reference and support that can make movements feel more achievable from the first class.

What matters most for beginners is qualified instruction. An APPI-qualified instructor will adapt either format to your current ability, so complete beginners are welcome at either.

Which is better for injury recovery or back pain?

Reformer Pilates is often favoured in clinical and rehabilitation settings because the spring resistance can be precisely adjusted, reduced to support a weak or recovering area, or increased gradually as strength returns. This graduated approach is why Reformer Pilates is commonly used in physiotherapy-informed exercise programmes.

That said, Mat Pilates also has real rehabilitation value, particularly for building the deep core control that supports the spine. The right choice depends on your specific condition, so if you're recovering from injury or managing ongoing back pain, it's worth discussing your history with a qualified instructor first rather than choosing based on the format alone. We cover this in more detail in Pilates for Lower Back Pain in Grantham.

This is general information, not medical advice. If you have a specific injury or diagnosed condition, check with your GP or physiotherapist before starting a new exercise programme.

Cost comparison

At Keystone Sports Therapy in Grantham:

• Mat Pilates: priced as part of our class schedule; see current pricing on the Pilates Grantham page.
• Reformer Pilates group classes: from £20 per session, with an 8-session pass at £150.
• Reformer Pilates 1:1 sessions: from £65 per 60-minute session, with package discounts (5 sessions: £310, 10 sessions: £600).
• Reformer Pilates duet sessions: a £10 levy per session on top of the standard rate, ideal for training with a partner.

Full details and booking are on the Pilates Grantham page.

Can you do both?

Yes, and many people do. A common approach is to build core awareness and technique in Mat Pilates, then use Reformer Pilates to add resistance-based progression, or vice versa. If you're not sure where to start, our instructor can recommend a mix based on your goals during your first session.