Merrithew Reformer Review: Can This Pilates Equipment Help You Get Stronger?

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If you’re looking for a Pilates workout that goes beyond traditional mat Pilates, and is more dynamic and advanced, you may want to consider STOTT Pilates. The STOTT method is designed to restore the natural curve of the spine and balance the surrounding muscles. One of the best pieces of exercise equipment for STOTT Pilates is a reformer, and the Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer is a premium choice for home use.

As a high-end piece of home gym equipment, the Merrithew Pilates reformer is designed to support a range of Pilates exercises that target the entire body. Whether you’re a Pilates expert or new to the workout, this advanced system promises to challenge endurance and build core strength. With the help of a strength and conditioning coach with extensive experience in training on Pilates reformer machines, our Merrithew reformer review will explore whether or not this luxury purchase holds up to its promises.

Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer Features At A Glance

• Dimensions: 22 inches x 38.5 inches x 9.5 inches
• Weight: 118 pounds
• User weight capacity: 250 pounds
• Price: $2,749 to $4,299

What Is The Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer?

Pilates is a strength training exercise developed in the 1920’s by Joesph Pilates as a way to help dancers rehab injuries. Over the past 100 years, the practice has been used to help people build strength, improve flexibility and recover from injury. The main apparatus used to achieve this is a Pilates reformer.

The Merrithew SPX Reformer is a Pilates machine that helps isolate your muscles for a low-impact workout. It’s generally used for STOTT Pilates, a type of Pilates that’s often more intensive than mat Pilates. In fact, many reformer exercises are mat Pilates exercises that are done on the machine to create more dynamic movements. While reformer workouts may seem intimidating, they’re actually beginner-friendly, and some Pilates fans prefer to do reformer exercises versus traditional mat work exercises.

Benefits of The Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer

As a low-impact, total body workout, Pilates has many benefits, according to health experts. The practice is designed to improve flexibility and strength by focusing on proper body alignment and controlled breathing. Studies also show that Pilates may help relieve back pain, especially in pregnant women. Research also suggests that Pilates may help increase core strength, not just in your abs, but in your glutes, hips and lower back. Having a stronger core can also lead to better posture and can improve balance and coordination. One thing our team at SI showcase enjoys about Pilates is that it promotes mindfulness through body awareness and breathwork. Research shows that breathwork may help reduce stress and anxiety.

While mat Pilates offers an intense workout, a reformer can create a more diverse training experience since it uses spring resistance and tension springs that can be adjusted to increase the difficulty. Not only can reformer workouts offer an additional challenge, studies show they may have benefits for pain reduction, improved range of motion, knee strength and overall functional capacity.

How Much Does The Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer Cost?

Depending on which Merrithew reformer package and equipment bundle you purchase, you’ll pay anywhere from $2,749 to $4,299. While this may seem like a hefty price tag, Pilates reformers can range from $500 to more than $7,000 for the highest-end buys, making the Merrithew SPX is a mid-range reformer.

Shipping fees will vary based on whether you select curbside delivery or opt for white glove service for in-home delivery (which doesn’t include assembly). In-home delivery prices increase if there are stairs or narrow passages.

How to Use The Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer

The Merrithew reformer has a flat moving carriage that you’ll use to perform exercises. This carriage glides back and forth on rails supported by a pulley rope system with adjustable spring resistance (the traditional springs package has five reformer springs with neoprene spring covers to help reduce noise). At one end of the reformer is a foot bar with four foot bar positions, and at the opposite end is a headrest that offers three different positions for your spine. There are also fixed shoulder rests and a non-skid wooden standing platform that can be used for standing exercises.

Working Out with The Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer

Strength and conditioning coach and former one-on-one personal trainer James de Lacey, who has trained clients on Pilates reformers, says users can expect a low-impact, joint-friendly workout with this piece of fitness equipment.

“It combines resistance training with Pilates movements, enhancing muscle tone without excessive strain,” he explains. “To use it properly, ensure you maintain proper form, engage your core and control your movements through each exercise.”

Still, if you need more challenge, you can increase the resistance, but you don’t have to do difficult contortions to achieve the desired effect.

Lacey calls the Merrithew “suitable for a wide range of fitness levels” and says the machine provides a full-body workout that targets various muscle groups, including the core, legs, arms and back.

The Merrithew reformer is designed to bring a Pilates studio class into your home. If you’re new to Pilates, we recommend using an app to help guide you through your routine.

Merrithew has its own app called Merrithew Connect. You can deepen your Pilates practice and make the most out of your reformer with dozens of on-demand workouts led by experienced Pilates instructors. Your first two months of Merrithew Connect come free when you purchase the At Home SPX Reformer, and it costs $24.99 a month after that.

An app our team at SI showcase likes is the Alo Moves App. Alo Moves offers several guided Pilates routines, including total-body workouts as well as shorter exercises targeting your inner thighs, core and upper body.

Another app we think offers great guidance is the Sweat App, which is our pick for the best personal training app for Pilates. We like that this app has descriptions and video demonstrations so you can focus on proper form and alignment. The workouts on this app are designed for Pilates routines using equipment like a yoga mat, resistance band, jump rope and exercise ball rather than a reformer. However, we think this is a great way to add variety to your workout routine.

Reformer Pilates vs. mat Pilates

While you can do some mat Pilates exercises on a reformer machine, the two types of Pilates workouts are actually quite different. You won’t need any Pilates equipment or yoga accessories aside from a mat or towel for matwork Pilates, which uses your body weight for resistance. Reformer exercises, on the other hand, use springs and straps for resistance and require a reformer machine.

Merrithew Reformer Construction and Durability

We like that the Merrithew Reformer has a high-quality build. It’s fully adjustable and includes multiple positions for the reformer carriage stopper, footbar, gearbar and headrest. It’s also built to last with thick aluminum rails, dense EVA foam and durable vinyl upholstery for a smooth, friction-free workout. In addition, it comes with easy-roll wheels for quick transport, requires minimal assembly and can be used with an optional mat converter for mat exercises on a raised surface.

What Customers Say About The Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer

Amazon buyers give the Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer an average 4.5 /5 stars. Many customers praise the durability of the machine, saying it’s “constructed of high-quality aluminum and steel.”

Buyers are also happy that the machine comes almost completely assembled and requires minimal work to complete the setup. “It’s very sturdy and doesn’t limit workouts,” another customer says. “Its lower height makes difficult balance moves less dangerous.”

Some buyers note shipping issues, with a few deliveries not arriving in their scheduled windows, but most customers, both new and experienced with Pilates, say the reformer was worth the investment.

Merrithew Reformer Pros

• Provides a total body, low-impact workout
• Multiple packages available with different equipment
• Padded platform extender creates a more comfortable workout
• Neoprene spring covers help reduce noise
• Ergonomic design includes extra-thick foam cushioning

Merrithew Reformer Cons

• No additional upholstery colors available (only black)
• High price point and accessories can get expensive
• Max user weight capacity of 250 pounds
• Does not have a vertical frame like some professional reformers
• May be intimidating for first-time users or those new to Pilates

Who the Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer Is Best For

The Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer is designed to replicate a fitness studio experience. Based on our research, the average cost of a Pilates reformer class at a gym is $25-35. That price can add up if you want to take classes multiple times a week. That’s why we think the Merrithew Reformer is a good investment for Pilates enthusiasts who want to ditch the pricey monthly fitness studio or gym membership and instead work out from the comfort and privacy of their own homes.

That being said, the Merrithew Reformer is suitable for all fitness levels, and you don’t have to be a Pilates expert to use the machine, especially if you follow along with a personal training or fitness app. Since reformers are low-impact, they’re a smart choice of exercise equipment for people with knee pain or joint issues. Plus, as a full-body workout, Pilates is an excellent way to target various muscle groups without having to invest in multiple pieces of fitness equipment.

Who the Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer Will Not Work For

If you’re looking for a high-intensity cardio machine, the Merrithew reformer is not right for you. The reformer will offer resistance training blended with Pilates movements, but you likely won’t burn as many calories as running on a treadmill. The Merrithew reformer also isn’t a great fit for price-conscious shoppers, as you’ll need to pay a minimum of just under $3,000 for the lowest-priced package and can easily spend hundreds, if not thousands more, on accessories or a more expensive package. We also don’t recommend a reformer for someone focused on heavy weightlifting, since many of the exercises use body weight as resistance.

Merrithew Reformer Accessories

While you certainly don’t need to purchase Merrithew reformer accessories, they may elevate your workout if you’re serious about Pilates and want to increase the versatility of your exercises. If you plan to bounce between reformer and matwork exercises, you may want to invest in the Mat Converter, which costs $450 and turns the reformer into an elevated, stable and cushioned matwork surface (that being said, you can purchase a regular yoga mat for a fraction of the price if you don’t want to invest in the converter).

Other optional accessories include a Cardio-Tramp Rebounder or SPX Jumpboard (accessories are expensive and range from $325 to $650). You can also buy different reformer workout DVDs for $35.95 each. If you’re seeking out additional balanced body workouts, the Rotational Diskboard, which costs $535, comes with horizontal and vertical mounting slots to accommodate even more foot placement options. This can help you target hip and shoulder rotation in flexion and extension, adduction and abduction, or combinations of these exercises.

Merrithew does provide the option to bundle accessories with your purchase of a reformer which lowers the cost compared to buying the accessories individually. For $3,799 the SPX Max Reformer Bundle includes the Reformer Box with footstrap, a padded platform extender and a roll-up pole. The SPX Max Plus Reformer bundle enhances the functionality of your Pilates machine. For $6,499 it includes all the same accessories at the SPX Max Reformer Bundle, as well as the mat converter and vertical frame with a rope system and traveling pulleys to turn your reformer into a Pilates cadillac.

Exercises To Do With The Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer

Not sure where to start with your Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer? Here’s an easy six-move circuit that Lacey recommends for all fitness levels, including beginners.

Leg press

Sit on the carriage, place your feet on the footbar, with your knees bent. Push outward, extending your legs to straight. Repeat for 12 to 15 reps. This targets your quadriceps and glutes.

Abdominal curl

For core strength, lie on your back with your feet on the foot bar, knees bent. Curl your head and shoulders up while pressing the carriage away. Do 10 to 12 reps.

Plank pike

Begin in a plank position with your feet on the carriage. Pike your hips upward, bringing your body into an inverted V-shape. Lower back to plank. Repeat 10 times to exercise your core and shoulders.

Rowing

Sit on the carriage, knees bent and holding the straps. Pull the straps toward your torso, engaging your back and arms. Release and repeat for 12 to 15 reps. This is great for the upper body, Lacey explains.

Side leg series

To target the outer thighs and hips, lie on your side with one foot on the foot bar. Lift and lower the carriage using your outer thigh muscles. Perform 10 reps on each side.

Back extension

Lie face-down on the carriage, arms extended forward. Lift your upper body while keeping your hips down. Lower and repeat 12 to 15 times to strengthen your lower back and glutes.

Assembly and Installation

The Merrithew SPX reformer comes with minimal assembly. With the help of instructions and the owner’s manual, many customers report almost no issues assembling the product on their own (Merrithew doesn’t currently offer in-home assembly). Some buyers say adding the box strap can be a little confusing, but most say assembly is a “breeze.” In fact, many customers note that the most difficult part of assembling the reformer is simply getting the box inside their home and unpacking it.

Something to consider when deciding where to set up your new Pilates reformer is that it takes up a similar amount of space to a rowing machine, so it may not be the best piece of gym equipment for small spaces.

Warranty and Customer Service

The Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer comes with a limited lifetime warranty for certain components of the machine, including aluminum rails, parts of the frame and related welding, and standard gearbar and foot bar mechanisms (minus the rubber footbar). It also offers a 90-day upholstery warranty; one-year warranty on ropes, straps, spring clips, plastic pulley bar receptacle sleeves, comfort foot bar, spring covers and plastic spring holders; and a two-year warranty on all other reformer components.

For the high price point, we would have liked to see a full lifetime warranty on the frame (rather than limited), plus a longer warranty on the upholstery, which may take longer than three months to reveal any issues. The parts warranty also feels lacking, and we would have liked to see at least two years or more for all parts. In general, customer reviews note a lack of responsiveness from customer service and trouble returning damaged reformers, so this is something to keep in mind in case you run into any issues.

The Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer FAQs

Here’s everything else there is to know about the Merrithew SPX reformer.

Is Merrithew the same as STOTT?

STOTT Pilates was developed by Lindsay and Moira Merrithew, along with a team of professionals. This exercise system is now a division of the Merrithew Health & Fitness Group.

What's the difference between STOTT Pilates and regular Pilates?

Regular Pilates includes exercises done on a flat back position, while STOTT Pilates uses a neutral spine position or the way the back is naturally curved.

How many times a week should you do reformer Pilates?

Many people like to do reformer Pilates two or three times per week, but you can use your reformer machine more or less depending on your interest or activity level.

The Takeaway: Is The Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer Right for You?

If you’re a fan of Pilates or full-body workouts that you can do on one single machine, the Merrithew At Home SPX Reformer can be a great addition to your home gym. The machine is low-impact, beginner-friendly and tones multiple muscle groups. While it’s undoubtedly a pricey purchase, it costs less than some reformer machines and comes in numerous bundle options that meet various budgets. Before investing in this reformer machine, be sure to read our Merrithew reformer review for pros, cons and more.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.