Reformer Pilates vs Mat Pilates
Lucia Poulter cueing the Down Stretch in a group Reformer class at Luma Pilates. The three-dimensional range the Reformer offers that a mat simply can't replicate
Short answer
Both are Pilates. Both develop strength, mobility, and body awareness through the same foundational principles. The Reformer adds spring resistance, a moving carriage, and a much wider range of movement possibilities. Mat Pilates strips the practice back to what the body can do without equipment. Each has genuine advantages, and most serious practitioners benefit from both.
Pilates was originally a mat-based practice. Joseph Pilates developed the Reformer as a way to assist movement that was difficult on the floor, to add resistance where the body needed challenge, and to extend the range of what the practice could do. The two disciplines have been complementary from the beginning.
At Luma, we offer both. Understanding the difference helps you make better decisions about your practice.
What they share
Reformer and Mat Pilates are built on identical principles. Centring, the initiation of movement from the deep spinal stabilisers rather than the superficial muscles, underpins both. Neutral spine, breath, precision, and spinal articulation are central to both. The body awareness you develop in one transfers directly to the other.
If you understand what your instructor is asking for on the Reformer, you will understand it on the mat. And vice versa.
What the Reformer adds
The Reformer is a more versatile tool. The spring resistance allows for eccentric loading, strengthening muscles as they lengthen, which produces active flexibility gains that mat work cannot replicate as directly. The moving carriage demands stabilisation from the deep spinal stabilisers on every repetition. The straps, the box, and the Tower attachment extend the range of possible movement patterns considerably.
The Reformer is also assistive. For beginners, or for clients working with injury or limited range of movement, the spring resistance can support movement that would be too demanding on a mat. This makes it accessible at a much earlier stage of the practice.
For work on the posterior chain, the shoulder girdle, and the thoracic spine, the Reformer is particularly effective. Spring resistance allows for precise loading of the muscles that most other forms of exercise do not reach directly. See our guide to why Pilates improves posture for more on this.
Lucia Poulter cueing the Hundred in a group Reformer class at Luma Pilates. The foundational exercise that every level returns to
What Mat Pilates offers
Mat Pilates asks something different of the body. Without the assistance or resistance of the springs, every movement is entirely self-generated. That demands more from the deep stabilisers and more from the practitioner's ability to control their own bodyweight through a full range of movement.
For experienced practitioners, the mat is a rigorous test of what has actually been internalised. Exercises that feel manageable on the Reformer often reveal gaps when transferred to the floor. Rolling exercises, in particular, develop spinal articulation and abdominal control in ways that the Reformer approaches differently.
Mat Pilates is also more accessible in a practical sense. No equipment is required beyond a mat, which means the practice travels. Clients who develop a mat practice alongside their Reformer work have a movement tool they can use anywhere.
For work on the thoracic spine and shoulder blades, floor-based Mat exercises are particularly effective, targeting these areas from positions and angles that the Reformer does not always reach as directly.
| Factor | Reformer Pilates | Mat Pilates |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Spring-resistance carriage, straps, box and Tower | Mat only, with occasional small props |
| Resistance | Springs, both assistive and resistive | Bodyweight, entirely self-generated |
| Beginner starting point | Generally easier; springs assist early movement | Accessible, but asks for more self-control |
| Early-stage rehab | More accessible; spring support when in discomfort | Effective, with less assistance |
| Particularly strong for | Posterior chain, shoulder girdle, single-leg loading | Spinal articulation, abdominal control, rolling work |
| Flexibility | Eccentric loading through the springs | Self-generated range through bodyweight |
| Portability | Studio-based | Travels anywhere, no equipment needed |
| As you advance | Extends range with straps, box and Tower | Tests genuine strength; often the more demanding |
Which is better for beginners?
The Reformer is generally the better starting point. The spring resistance assists movement in the early stages of the practice, when the body is still developing the strength and awareness to move with precision. The feedback from the moving carriage, and the guidance of a qualified instructor in a small group setting, accelerates the learning curve considerably.
That said, Mat Pilates is entirely accessible for beginners. Fi Hendry, who teaches Mat classes at Luma, holds full certification in Pilates Mat work completed at the Brigid McCarthy Pilates Studio in Edinburgh. Her classes bring the same precision and depth of instruction to the mat that you would expect from a Reformer class. For clients who want to develop their mat practice alongside their Reformer work, or who want to begin with mat work, Fi's classes are an excellent starting point. Catrin Dawson and Liron Bleischer will also be teaching Mat classes at Luma shortly.
See our guide to can beginners do Reformer Pilates for more on starting out.
Which is better for specific goals?
For lower back pain. Both are effective, but the Reformer's assistive spring resistance makes it more accessible in the early stages of rehabilitation, particularly for clients in discomfort. The deep spinal stabiliser activation that underpins lower back rehabilitation is central to both practices. See our full guide to Pilates for lower back pain.
For posture. The Reformer is more targeted here, particularly for shoulder girdle work and posterior chain loading. Mat work adds thoracic mobility and scapular stability work that complements the Reformer effectively. See our guide to why Pilates improves posture.
For flexibility. Both develop active flexibility through strengthening in lengthened positions. The Reformer's eccentric loading is particularly effective for lasting flexibility change. See our guide to does Pilates improve flexibility.
For runners. The Reformer is the stronger tool for runners, given the lateral and rotational work it enables and the single-leg loading that maps directly onto running mechanics. See our guide to Pilates for runners.
For experienced practitioners. Mat Pilates becomes increasingly valuable as the practice develops. The self-generated nature of mat work tests genuine strength and control, and the rolling exercises develop spinal articulation in ways the Reformer approaches differently. Many advanced practitioners regard the mat as the more demanding of the two.
The case for both
The most complete Pilates practice combines Reformer and Mat work. The two disciplines challenge the body in different ways and reveal different things about how it moves. Clients who practise both consistently tend to progress faster in each, because the skills transfer and reinforce each other.
At Luma, adding a Mat class alongside your Reformer practice is straightforward. If you have a Subscription package you can use your class credits for either discipline. Otherwise, you can buy 1,5 or 10 Class Packs on the Prices page and drop in whenever there’s a space. Read more about this in our Class Packs vs Subscriptions guide.
A Mat Pilates class in Studio B at Luma Pilates. No springs, no carriage, just the work
Where to start
If you are new to Pilates, Reformer Fundamentals is the recommended starting point. If you are an existing Reformer client looking to add Mat work, speak to your instructor about which Mat class fits your current level. View our full class schedule or browse all classes to find the right option.
If you have questions about which practice suits your goals, get in touch. It is always worth a conversation.
Written by Lucia Poulter
Lucia is lead instructor and co-founder at Luma Pilates, with 26 years of teaching experience and Comprehensive BASI certification. She has taught both Reformer and Mat Pilates throughout her career and has a clear view of what each discipline does well. Her honest answer on which is better? Both, in the right combination, at the right stage of the practice.
