I have a confession - I booked my first Pilates class earlier this year, and I never went. So, when Aldi offered a review of their viral Reformer machine, I saw my chance to redeem myself.
Becoming a Pilates girl - strong and toned- has been an unrealised dream on my 2025 vision board. There is something about the classes that has always intimidated me. I don't know if it's the jargon you're meant to know even before your first session that stops me.
It might be the complicated equipment that everyone moves in unison, as if you're in one big matcha-drinking orchestra. Making it all the more obvious when you, the rogue trumpet, play the wrong note.
This was all the more reason why testing the waters at home, playing in the shallow end of YouTube tutorials, appealed to me.
Aldi’s Pilates Reformer was launched earlier this year and quickly took over the internet. Its popularity was clear from the hundreds, if not thousands, of TikToks I scrolled past showing me how to install and navigate all of its moving parts. If you’ve put up a few Ikea bookshelves in your time, building the Reformer will be a breeze. I’m not very good at DIY, but I had the majority of it installed within the hour ( after a panicked call to my Dad!). The instruction booklet was a bit sparse, but there is no shortage of videos on social media walking you ( slowly) through the process.
When it's assembled, it measures out to 215 x 57 x 72 cm, also known as the majority of my tiny living room. It’s a good size for a Pilates machine – less cumbersome but just as steady as the ones you see in traditional classes. For anyone with a larger living space – whether a flat or a house – I think it would fit quite comfortably into your home workout routine.
No doubt, I would have felt more relaxed if I had a tad more space to move around. So, if you want to avoid crashing into your TV, double-check your floor space before buying! What blew me away, though, was that Aldi’s version is foldable. It’s really easy to move around due to its wheels and take it down for compact storage.
In case you didn’t pick up on my subtle hint, I’m very much a beginner and a bit shaky on my feet. If you’re new to Pilates like me, the Reformer machine consists of the carriage ( a sliding platform) that moves within a metal frame. The carriage is connected to a set of metal springs that control its resistance to the frame. Attached to the carriage is a set of cables that are run through pulleys. Aldi’s machine includes a head and shoulder rest as well as a footbar. The point of a Pilates machine is to help improve your core strength, flexibility and balance. I didn’t realise before how easy it was to adjust the resistance level, meaning you can tweak the exercises to your ability and build as you grow stronger and more confident.
I’ve only tried the Reformer for a week or so, so I’ll admit that the exercises I’ve tried so far are pretty basic. We all need to start somewhere! Most of the moves were lying down, which is far cry from the Zumba videos I’m used to. I followed a few routines on Instagram and fumbled around a couple of exercises with my feet in the straps. My verdict, though, was that it felt comfortable and stable. Although I’m unlikely to document the journey from feeble beginner to Pilates pro publicly, with a couple more practices, I’m sure I’ll be ready to take on some standing routines.
Recommended reading
- I tried the best 10-minute hack to clean my greasy air fryer without any scrubbing
- I tried Aldi’s Smart Kettle and boiled water from my sofa
- Review: Aldi robot vacuum versus Amazon's top-rated Ultenic
On average, Pilates classes cost £35 a go, so you could find yourself saving as much as £1,670 compared if you went to one class a week for a year and £1,850 compared to similar at-home solutions, including the Fold Reformer.
So, if you’re looking to get into Pilates – and want to avoid the hefty price tag of a high-end machine or the embarrassment of fumbling in intense classes – you need to get yourself the Aldi Reformer.
The viral machine arrives in stores on November 30, but you'll need to be quick.
Just like the rest of Aldi’s Specialbuys, once they’re gone, they’re gone, so if you’re looking for the perfect Christmas present for a wannabee Pilates pro, now’s your chance.
