The carriage is no where near as well padded on my Stamina AeroPilates Reformer (which I found at a local resale shop for u der $50) when compared with a studio Reformer. It’s usable, but no treat. I was lucky to also find a Balanced Body Reformer with Tower , box, and accessories on eBay at a great price, so I use that unless I am sharing my home studio with a guest. The AeroPilates folds up nicely to reduce the amount of space required, so it’s a good choice in a small space. Look for used if you can. I found a Malibu Pilates chair on the same day and it also works fine, though it isn’t luxurious!

Thank you! This is a great article. I’m a longtime practitioner and new instructor and have always thought these reformer must be total crap... but here I am during Covid-19 isolation without being able to go to the studio and neither having the space or budget for the Stott reformer of my dreams. So I’m buying a used Aero Pilates reformer tomorrow. You told me what I can expect and I’m sure it’ll be good enough for now....So thanks again! :)

I have the exact same reformer as in this article. I bought two red bungees and the box and pole to go with it. I love the idea of the pool noodle, the foot bar is very narrow and I find it difficult to get a good foot position in the foot work series. Thank you for that suggestion! I also noticed the foot prop on the side splits picture. I bought a garden knee pad to prop my carriage leg in side splits. Because the carriage upholstery is so soft I find my foot sinks into it and then I'm lopsided, the garden knee pad fixed that issue. Apart from that I've had many hours of use out of my Aero Pilates reformer in the year that I've had it and I've even converted my husband into a Pilates fan with it. 

Kiri I'm in the same boat as you! I bought my AeroPilates reformer (the 5 spring model) and the only difficulty I'm having is adjusting to being lower to the ground and trying to figure out which springs to use when following video instrustions. Best of luck!

Hi. I have an Aero Pilates Reformer I got on Groupon some years ago...It says Stamina on the label...it has small feet that doesn't really lift it up off the floor and 3 cords-2 black and 1 red and a spring board. I don't have a box. It seems like the straps aren't. long enough to stretch my legs all the way out and hard to reach for. I am trying to modify the videos to the machine I have, especially during COVID. Any suggestions?

Hi Annabelle, you can view the reformer lasses without a box here. Regarding your feet in the straps I would see if there's an extension strap or loop you can attach to the strap or just skip some of those exercises.

Annabelle  you can buy a stand from the manufacturer to get your reformer farther from the floor. If you haven't already done so, check your ropes to see if you have them properly adjusted for your body. The manual explains how to adjust them. 

Any tips on tying the straps underneath?? One of mine came untied and now I cannot seem to get the ties to stay, and keep them even. My Aero reformer also makes terrible squeaking sounds from the rollers, any tips to stop the noise while exercising??

HI-  thanks for your tips. I did purchase the one you pictures with 4 black cords. Do you happen to know a conversion to the equivalent springs used on a Balanced Body one that I use in studio class?  thank you! 

I bought an Aeropilates reformer on QVC. It is not something that can be compared to a studio reformer, but it is much cheaper so a direct comparison would not be fair IMO! It does the job: it allows me to follow a daily routine at home saving me tons of money. For less than 500$ you cannot go wrong! I also bought the box and the pole on Amazon and they do the trick. I wish I had the space for a studio reformer, but I don't. So the Aeropilates is a great solution and it fits my requirements without breaking the bank.