Reformer vs Mat Pilates- Which One’s Right for You?

The Real Talk on Two Sides of the Same Flow

It’s the question I get all the time, from curious beginners to long-time Pilates devotees in an existential spiral:

“So… should I do mat or reformer pilates?”

It’s a bit like asking, “Should I drink coffee or tea?”Both will wake you up. Both have their loyal fans.And, let’s be honest, both can become slightly addictive (in the best way).

Here’s the truth: I love them both. They’re not rivals.They’re two sides of the same beautiful, spine-lengthening, core-strengthening coin: each helping you connect, strengthen, and expand in different ways.

🧘‍♀️ Mat Pilates: Your Inner Body Whisperer

Mat Pilates strips it right back. No springs, no straps, no sliding carriages; just you, your body, your breath, and gravity (your most honest teacher).

Why I love it:

• No hiding. Without the support of equipment, you meet yourself exactly as you are. Every breath, every tiny adjustment matters. It’s you versus distraction.

• Connection central. Think of it as a quiet coffee date with your core. You learn to feel muscles, not just “suck in and hope for the best.”

• Portable zen. No reformer? No problem. Mat travels with you, to your living room, the park, or a sandy beach at sunset (extra points for that).

💡 Mat is your go-to if: you want to deepen your body awareness, reconnect to your foundation, and build strength that moves with you, wherever you are.

🔩 Reformer Pilates: The Spring-Loaded Playground

If mat is meditation, reformer is exploration.It’s the sleek, springy contraption that looks mildly intimidating at first, until you realise it’s basically your body’s best dance partner.

Why I love it:

• Creative movement. The reformer gives you a full playground of motion, resistance, flow, and discovery in every direction.

• Real-time feedback. The springs don’t lie. They’ll show you which side is stronger (and which leg has been freeloading this whole time).

• Infinite variety. Whether you’re brand new or a lifelong mover, the reformer meets you where you are, then challenges you just enough to surprise yourself.

💡 Reformer is your go-to if: you love variety, want to track your strength and mobility, or crave a guided challenge that both supports and stretches your limits.

✨ So… Which Should You Choose?

Honestly? You don’t have to.They complement each other beautifully.

Mat helps you listen, it’s where awareness begins.Reformer helps you adapt, it’s where strength and exploration meet.

Together, they’re the perfect partnership: one builds your foundation, the other expands your capacity.Mat teaches you to tune in.Reformer teaches you to level up.Both help you feel grounded, open, and just a little bit taller walking out than when you walked in.

And if you catch me teaching either class, expect a few laughs, a lovingly savage cue about your core engagement…a constant reminder that form is everything, and a moment where you think,

“Why does something so small feel so impossible?”

Because that’s where the magic lives; in the small moments that wake you up to your own strength.

I love Pilates so much and I feel there is always something to learn on both the mat and the reformer, not only about the actual practice, but also about yourself.Wishing you a fantastic week up ahead, with love

Giada x

Founder of Zenith Flow