What Should I Wear to Reformer Pilates?
Clients wearing fitted activewear during a Reformer Pilates class at Luma Pilates, Edinburgh
Short answer
Fitted, comfortable clothing and grip socks. That is genuinely all you need. The Reformer involves lying down, kneeling, sitting, and standing in quick succession, so anything that stays in place when you move is the right choice. Grip socks are the one non-negotiable item and are available to buy at the studio if you do not have a pair.
The basics
For most clients that means fitted leggings or shorts, a fitted top, grip socks, and a light layer to remove as you warm up. That covers it. If you already own activewear you move comfortably in, you almost certainly own everything you need.
Grip socks: do you really need them?
Yes, and this is the one item worth buying before your first class if you don’t already own a pair. Grip socks keep your feet secure on the carriage and the footbar, which matters both for safety and for the precision of the movement. Bare feet slip, and slipping undermines every correction your instructor is trying to give you.
Can you use regular socks instead? No. Standard socks have no grip on the underside and slide on the carriage surface. The grip sole is what makes them functional, not just a studio rule.
If you do not have grip socks, do not worry. We stock crew grip socks for £12 and ballet grip socks for £10 at the studio, so you can pick up a pair on arrival.
White crew grip socks for Reformer Pilates — available to buy at Luma Pilates studio in Edinburgh
Do you wear shoes for Reformer Pilates?
No. Reformer Pilates is always done in grip socks. Shoes are removed before you get on the machine. If you do not have grip socks, we sell crew grip socks for £12 and ballet grip socks for £10 at the studio.
Leggings vs shorts
Both work well on the Reformer. Leggings give your instructor a clearer view of your leg alignment, which is particularly useful in your early classes when you are building the right movement patterns. Shorts are comfortable and practical once you know what you are doing.
If you run warm, shorts are the better call. If you are coming straight from or to work, leggings are easier to change in and out of. Either way, fitted is the key word. Loose or wide-leg options bunch during footwork and leg sequences in a way that becomes genuinely distracting.
What men should wear
The same principles apply. Fitted shorts or close-fitting training trousers work well. A fitted t-shirt is fine; compression tops work but are not necessary. One thing worth knowing: loose or short shorts on the Reformer can leave little to the imagination during footwork and leg sequences. If that is your go-to, wear fitted underlayer or compression shorts underneath. Grip socks are required regardless.
What to avoid
A few things that make the Reformer more awkward than it needs to be:
Baggy trousers or wide-leg leggings tend to bunch during footwork and leg sequences. Jeans are uncomfortable on the carriage. Jewellery, particularly rings and bracelets, can catch on the springs and straps, so it is worth removing them before class. Wired bras are uncomfortable for extended time lying on your back; non-wired or sports options are a better choice.
Do you need to wear shoes? No. Reformer Pilates is always done in grip socks. Shoes are removed before you get on the machine.
Hair and accessories
If your hair is long, tie it back. You will spend time lying flat on the headrest, and loose hair makes that more complicated than it needs to be. A simple hair tie is all you need.
For accessories, simpler is better. Watches are fine. Rings and bracelets are worth removing before class.
What to bring
A water bottle is always a good idea. We provide all the equipment you need for class. Reformers, straps, springs, boxes, and props are all set up for you. There is no need to bring a mat or any additional equipment.
We have a small changing area at the studio if you are coming straight from or to work.
A note on temperature
We have good ventilation at Luma, but Pilates has a way of warming you up gradually without you noticing until you are already warm. A light zip or layer you can remove is worth having, particularly for early morning and lunchtime classes.
Clients in fitted leggings and tank tops working on Reformers during a class at Luma Pilates, Edinburgh
Coming for the first time?
Don’t overthink it. Fitted leggings or shorts, a top you can move in, grip socks, and your hair tied back if it is long. You do not need specialist kit, a specific brand, or anything you do not already own. At Luma you will see everything from Fanka and Lululemon to Marks & Spencer. The practice doesn’t care about the label.
For broader first-class preparation, see our guide to what happens in your first Reformer Pilates class. Ready to book? Browse Reformer Pilates classes in Edinburgh.
Written by Lucia Poulter
Lucia is lead instructor and co-founder at Luma Pilates. She has answered this question in every intake of new clients for 26 years and her answer hasn’t changed: fitted clothing, grip socks, and a willingness to move. Everything else takes care of itself.
