Data checked 27 Oct 2026 (Asia/Shanghai).
Yes — reformer Pilates is still growing in 2026 booking data, and the growth is moving from novelty to scale. Franchises are opening studios by the hundred, and studios are adding reformer-plus-strength and high-intensity formats. For buyers, that means planning reformer counts, tower and chair mix, and order timing earlier — not chasing a fad.
Is reformer Pilates still growing? The 2025–2026 numbers
According to the ClassPass 2025 Look Back Report (reservations from 1 January to 10 October 2025), Pilates was the most-booked workout worldwide for the third year in a row, with reservations up 66% year over year. “Pilates” was searched more than 27 million times on ClassPass in 2025, and more than 15 million Pilates reservations were made.
Within Pilates, the report’s top formats by bookings were:
| Format | YoY change (ClassPass 2025) |
|---|---|
| Reformer Pilates | +71% |
| High-intensity Pilates | +27% |
| Mat Pilates | +114% |
A format that stays at number one for three years is not a one-season TikTok spike. Mat grew fastest from a smaller base, but reformer remained the global favorite by bookings. That is the demand signal studio buyers should plan around.
Pilates industry trends that change what studios buy
Trend articles written for instructors rarely say what to put on the purchase order. Below is the buyer’s cut: what each trend means for equipment mix.
| Trend | Evidence | What to buy | What not to buy yet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reformer still #1 format | ClassPass +71% reformer bookings | Core bank of commercial Pilates reformers | A full room of specialty machines before standard classes fill |
| Reformer + strength + cardio classes | Club Pilates “Circuit” programming (reformer + strength + low-impact cardio) | Footbar, jump board and handle accessories; enough floor space per machine | Skipping layout planning for accessory storage |
| High-intensity reformer | ClassPass high-intensity Pilates +27% | Steel mega reformer machines for those class blocks | Replacing every standard reformer with mega units on day one |
| Mat growth | ClassPass mat +114% | Floor space and small props as a low-cost entry lane | Assuming mat alone covers reformer revenue |
| Rotational / pulley-tower niche | Factory inquiries for maple tower pieces | Maple rotational movement equipment (e.g. CP381) as an add-on lane | Treating it as a full replacement for reformers |
Reformer-plus-strength classes
Club Pilates has been rolling out Circuit, which mixes reformer Pilates with strength training and low-impact cardio (Business Wire, 6 Aug 2026). For an independent studio, that usually means the same reformer footprint plus jump boards, handles and clear aisle space — not a second brand of “smart” hardware. Plan storage and spacing early; see how many reformers fit in your room.
High-intensity reformer classes
High-intensity blocks put more load and lateral demand on the frame. Steel mega reformers are the right tool for those classes. We don’t recommend buying a full room of mega reformers before your standard reformer timetable is full. Start with the slots you can fill, then add.
Mat growth
Mat Pilates grew fastest in the ClassPass data. It is a cheap way to fill off-peak hours. Our view: open with reformer classes as the revenue machine, and use mat as an entry or overflow format — not the other way around.
Rotational movement as a niche add-on
Some studios add a maple rotational movement / pulley tower for clients who want that lane. Cheer’s CP381 is maple. Treat it as a specialist add-on next to reformers, not as a substitute. Browse rotational movement equipment if that fits your programming.
Franchises are scaling — what that means for independent studios and distributors
Club Pilates passed 1,500 studios worldwide, with recent openings in Bangkok and Mexico City (Business Wire, 6 Aug 2026). Earlier in 2026, franchisee group Riser Fitness agreed to open 127 Club Pilates studios over five years across six US states (Business Wire, 20 Apr 2026).
Big systems widen the market: more people try reformer Pilates, more instructors train, more landlords learn the layout. Independents still compete on room design, coaching quality and how the equipment feels under daily use. UV logo printing and OEM options help a studio look like its own brand rather than a copy of the franchise next door — see custom logo reformers in small batches.
For distributors, stock a core range — standard reformers, a mega option, half-tower or Cadillac for tower work, plus chairs — not every SKU on the catalogue. Our becoming a distributor guide covers how exclusive territories and mixed-model orders usually work.
Pilates market trends by region
We only report regions where the sources above are clear:
- North America: large multi-state franchise development deals (127-studio Riser agreement) and a mature Club Pilates footprint.
- Latin America: Mexico City among the recent Club Pilates openings cited in the 1,500-studio announcement.
- Asia: Bangkok among the same international openings.
- Europe (Spain): Xponential is focusing on Club Pilates in Spain, with the brand approaching 100 studios there (Palco23 / Mundo Deportivo).
If we don’t have a dated source for a region, we leave it out rather than guess.
What we see from the factory side
Cheer Pilates has built commercial studio equipment since 2015 and exports to 80+ countries. From Tim Wu’s ten years in the industry, the questions buyers ask now look different from five years ago.
Studios and distributors more often want mixed-model orders in one shipment: a bank of standard reformers, a few mega units for high-intensity blocks, and sometimes a tower or chair. Branding requests are up — UV logo printing on frames so the room photographs as the studio’s brand. Every Cheer reformer uses German Wagner springs, and Cheer products are CE certified. We reply within 12 hours. We can quote DDP to most destinations; exact terms are confirmed per destination.
Commercial reformers in Cheer’s range are built for a maximum user load of 150 kg. That matches what most group studios ask for when they compare frames. If your programming needs tower work on the same footprint, compare formats in reformer vs half tower vs Cadillac.
Planning a 2027 opening: an equipment timeline
- Define the room and class formats. Reformer-only, reformer-plus-strength, high-intensity blocks, mat overflow — write the weekly timetable first.
- Set reformer count from the timetable, not from how many machines the floor can physically hold. Use the layout and spacing guide.
- Choose the equipment mix: standard reformers, mega for intensity, half tower or Cadillac if you teach tower work, chairs if you need a second lane. Start from studio equipment packages.
- Request a quote and, if needed, a sample. Send room size and class plan; we reply within 12 hours.
- Confirm production and shipping terms (including whether you want a DDP quote for your destination).
- Install, brand and train before opening week — logo and accessory kits should be in the same order as the machines when possible.
Is a reformer Pilates studio profitable?
We can’t give revenue numbers — those depend on rent, payroll, class fill rate and local competition. What we can say from the equipment side: the cost drivers that move the order are frame type (aluminum, wood or steel), tower options, accessories, branding and shipping terms. Our commercial reformer cost factors post breaks those down without prices.
We don’t recommend buying more reformers than your first-year timetable can fill. Empty machines look impressive in photos and expensive on the P&L.
FAQ
Is reformer Pilates a fad, or will demand last?
Booking data says it is lasting. Pilates was ClassPass’s most-booked workout worldwide for the third year running in 2025, and reformer reservations rose 71%. Growth is now coming from scale: franchises are signing hundred-studio deals, and gyms are adding reformer rooms. We plan factory capacity around it as a long-term category, not a season.
Which Pilates formats are growing fastest, and what equipment does each need?
In ClassPass’s 2025 data, reformer Pilates grew 71%, high-intensity Pilates 27% and mat Pilates 114% (from a smaller base). Reformer classes need one machine per client. High-intensity classes use longer steel mega reformers. Mat classes need floor space and small props. Our view: open with reformer classes and add other formats once those are full.
How many reformers should a new studio open with?
Start with the number your first-year timetable can fill, not the number the room can hold. Work out reformers per class from your room plan and class formats, then add one spare-capacity machine at most. We don’t recommend buying a full room of mega reformers before your standard reformer classes are full.
Does Cheer supply new studios, or only distributors?
Both. Cheer Pilates has built studio equipment since 2015 and ships to studios, gym groups and distributors in 80+ countries. Every reformer uses German Wagner springs, and logos can be UV-printed for studio branding. Send your room size and class plan, and we reply within 12 hours. We can quote DDP to most destinations; exact terms are confirmed per destination.
Do big franchises hurt independent studios?
They raise the bar on brand polish and class variety, but they also introduce more people to reformer Pilates. Independents win on room design, coaching and the feel of the equipment. Use that gap: branded reformers, a clear class plan and a reformer count sized to local demand.
Planning a studio for 2027? Send your room size and class plan — we reply within 12 hours. Request a studio setup plan or get a custom quote.
About the author. Tim Wu has ten years of personal experience in the Pilates equipment industry. He works with Cheer Pilates (founded 2015), which manufactures commercial reformers and studio equipment for buyers in 80+ countries.
