Pilates Board vs Reformer: Which One for Home?
A board is cheaper, smaller and easier to store. A reformer is closer to the studio. Which one makes sense depends on your space and how you train.
By Caro · Updated November 15, 2026
If space and budget are tight, start with a board. If you already take reformer classes and want to practice the same moves at home, go straight to a reformer.
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I take my reformer classes in a studio, and if you want to keep practicing at home without giving up a corner of the living room, a Pilates board is the obvious first idea. The short answer: a board is a different tool, not a smaller reformer.
What a Pilates board is
A Pilates board is a flat platform, usually with a sliding pad or carriage and resistance bands or cords you attach for arm and leg work. It sits on the floor and stores flat. As one woman&home reviewer put it, working out on a board "is different to practicing on a solid and robust reformer".
What a reformer adds
A reformer raises the carriage off the floor, adds a footbar and straps, and uses springs or cords on a rail. That's what makes footwork, long-box and strap work possible, and it's the machine you use in studio classes. Home reformers fold, but they still need a long strip of floor space.
Board vs reformer, side by side
Price. The boards we found start around $100; the home reformers we track start around $270 and climb past $400. Space. A board slides under a bed or sofa; a folded reformer still needs a corner. Workout. A board covers core and band work well; a reformer gets you much closer to a studio class. Learning curve. Both are easier with some studio classes behind you.
These picks are based on the listings, ratings and number of reviews, not a hands-on test.
The boards
The AeroPilates Pro XP board is the established option, rated 4.3 stars from close to 200 reviews. Its price moves a lot between retailers, so check it before you buy. The foldable all-in-one board is cheaper, at about $100 with bands included, but its 4.2-star rating comes from only a handful of buyers so far.
AeroPilates Pro XP Board Reformer
4.3 stars from nearly 200 reviews; check the current price
Foldable All-in-One Pilates Board
Bands included, 4.2 stars from a few reviews
~$100
The reformers
If you want the studio movements at home, a reformer is worth the extra money and space. The ZENOVA foldable reformer (about $270) is the entry point with enough reviews to trust, and the AeroPilates Reformer 287 (about $449) is the established choice. Our guide to reformers under $500 goes into more detail.
ZENOVA Foldable Pilates Reformer
Entry-level reformer, folds for storage, 4.2 stars
~$270
AeroPilates Reformer 287
3 resistance cords, folds on wheels, 4.3 stars from 300+ reviews
~$449
A board keeps you moving between classes. A reformer brings the class home. Pick for your space first, then your budget.
Keep reading
Best At-Home Pilates Reformers Under $500
A home reformer under $500 won't feel like the studio machine, but the right one is a solid way to practice between classes.
Reformer at Home vs Studio Classes: the Real Cost
A home reformer can pay for itself in about ten studio classes. Whether it replaces the studio is a different question.