Fitness Culture

If it feels like reformer pilates has taken over every gym conversation, group chat, and Instagram feed in the past year — you’re not imagining it. It’s genuinely everywhere. New studios are popping up on high streets across the UK faster than coffee shops, and getting a spot in a popular class now requires the kind of dedication you’d normally reserve for Glastonbury tickets.

But what actually is reformer pilates? Is it worth the not-exactly-cheap price tag? And with a growing number of voices raising concerns about safety standards, what should you look out for before booking your first class?

Let’s break it all down.

So, What Even Is a Reformer?

If you’ve never seen one before, a pilates reformer looks a bit like a sliding bed crossed with a medieval torture device. It’s a carriage that moves along a frame using a system of springs, pulleys, and footbars. The resistance created by those springs is what makes the workout — and the level of challenge can be adjusted depending on which springs you’re using.

Unlike a mat pilates class (which you can do pretty much anywhere with a YouTube video), reformer pilates requires actual equipment, which is why it’s done in studios. Classes tend to be smaller than your average gym session — typically 8 to 12 people — which means more individual attention from the instructor.

The whole system was invented by Joseph Pilates back in the early 20th century, but the current craze has very much been driven by social media and a string of celebrity fans. The UK pilates and yoga market is now worth an estimated £1.1 billion, and applications from reformer pilates instructors jumped by a staggering 948% between 2024 and 2025. That’s not a typo.

Why Are People So Into It?

The honest answer is: because it works. Reformer pilates is a low-impact, full-body workout that builds serious core strength, improves flexibility, and helps with posture and alignment. The spring-based resistance means you’re getting a decent strength workout without the joint stress of, say, heavy lifting or high-intensity cardio.

It’s particularly popular with people recovering from injuries, those returning to exercise after a break, and anyone who’s been put off by the more aggressive culture of traditional gyms. There’s no ego, no grunting, no one hogging the squat rack.

Research backs up the appeal too. Studies have shown benefits including reduced body fat percentage, lower cortisol levels (that’s your stress hormone), and improved mental wellbeing. For people doing three sessions a week over eight weeks, the results in terms of both physical conditioning and stress reduction were genuinely significant.

It also happens to be a solid complement to other training. If you run, lift weights, or play sport, adding reformer pilates into your routine can improve your mobility and help with injury prevention.

What Does It Cost in the UK?

This is where things get a bit eye-watering. A single drop-in reformer pilates class typically runs between £20 and £35, depending on where you are in the country and the studio you choose. London, unsurprisingly, tends to be at the higher end.

Most studios offer introductory bundles — often three classes for around £30 to £45 — which are a good way to try it out without committing to a full membership. Regular attendees can usually access better value through class packs or monthly memberships.

Yes, it’s pricier than a standard gym membership. The reason is simple: reformers are expensive pieces of kit, class sizes are smaller, and the overheads are higher. Whether that cost is worth it really depends on what you’re after — more on that in a moment.

The Part Nobody’s Talking About Enough: Safety

Here’s where things get a bit more serious. The rapid expansion of reformer pilates in the UK has raised some legitimate concerns about instructor quality and studio standards.

In the UK, there’s currently no legal requirement for someone to hold a formal qualification before calling themselves a pilates instructor. While reputable studios do require recognised certifications (usually Level 3 or higher), plenty don’t — and with demand outstripping supply of properly trained instructors, some studios have been cutting corners.

Industry bodies including the Pilates Foundation have warned that classes can be “potentially dangerous in the hands of someone who has had a short period of training.” There have been documented cases of injuries linked to poor instruction, overcrowded studios, and improperly maintained equipment.

None of this means you should avoid reformer pilates — but it does mean you should do a bit of research before handing over your card details.

How to Pick a Good Studio

A few things to look for when you’re choosing where to go:

Check the instructor’s qualifications. Don’t be shy about asking. Look for Level 3 qualifications as a minimum, or instructors who are members of a recognised body like the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) or CIMSPA.

Class sizes matter. Smaller classes mean more individual attention. If a studio is packing 20 people into a reformer session, that’s a red flag.

Start with a beginner or foundation class. Even if you’re fit and active, don’t jump straight into an intermediate class. The reformer has its own learning curve, and proper technique from the start will serve you much better in the long run.

Try before you commit. Many studios offer introductory deals or free taster sessions. Take advantage of them — it’s a good way to get a feel for the space and the instructor before you sign up for a monthly membership.

Is It Actually Worth It?

For a lot of people, genuinely yes. If you’re looking for a low-impact workout that builds real functional strength, helps with stress, and feels a bit more considered than your average gym session, reformer pilates delivers. The results people see over consistent weeks of training are hard to argue with.

That said, it’s not magic, it’s not free, and it’s not for everyone. If you’re on a tight budget or prefer heavy lifting and high-intensity sessions, it might not be your thing.

The key is finding a good studio with properly qualified instructors — and if you’re in the UK right now, you have more options than ever to do exactly that.

If you’re looking for fitness studios or personal trainers near you, Gymist can help you find the right fit — whether that’s a reformer pilates studio or something else entirely.

Be honest — how many times did you check your phone during your last workout? A quick glance at a notification between sets, a scroll through Instagram on the treadmill, maybe even a full-blown text conversation while sitting on the leg press (we’ve all seen that person). If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. But a growing number of UK gyms are now saying enough is enough, and they’re giving members the tools to actually put the phone down.

The Problem With Phones in the Gym

It turns out your phone might be doing more damage to your workout than you think. Research has shown that using your phone while exercising — whether that’s texting, scrolling social media, or answering emails — can reduce your workout intensity, lower your heart rate during cardio, and even slow down your reaction times. One study found that texting on the treadmill actually reduced the average speed of the workout. Another showed that scrolling social media before a resistance training session led to mental fatigue that carried through the entire workout.

And it’s not just about performance. There’s the injury risk too. Anything that takes your attention away from what you’re doing — whether it’s checking a notification mid-squat or switching songs during a set — could put you at risk. Plus, phones can induce stress and anxiety, which is the exact opposite of why most of us go to the gym in the first place.

Fitness First Goes Phone-Free (Sort Of)

Fitness First has rolled out a partnership with digital wellness platform Kip across all 26 of its UK clubs. The concept is simple but clever: members download the Kip app, choose which apps they want to block during their workout (think social media, email, news), and tap their phone against an NFC tag at the gym entrance. That’s it — your distracting apps go quiet until you tap again on the way out.

The beauty of it is that you stay in control. You can keep your music app, your workout tracker, even your calls if you want. It just silences the noise that pulls your focus away from what you’re actually there to do. No one’s confiscating your phone — it’s more like putting it on a diet.

PureGym’s Joy Stroll: Walking Off the Scroll

PureGym took a slightly different approach. After their own research found that the average UK adult scrolls the equivalent of 1.7 miles on their phone every week, they thought: why not walk that distance for real instead?

The result was the Joy Stroll — a branded, phone-free 1.7-mile guided walk held at Manchester’s Whitworth Park. The event featured “Glowments” (think healthy pick-me-ups) along the route and was fronted by TV personality Chris Hughes. It’s a fun, low-barrier way to make the point: the time we spend scrolling could be spent moving.

“We’ve all been there, getting lost in the scroll,” said PureGym’s chief customer officer Barney Harrison. “At PureGym, our mission is to help everyone feel good, and we believe that feeling starts with how you move your body and clear your mind.”

Why Now?

This isn’t just a gym thing — it’s a cultural shift. Phone-free events grew a staggering 567% globally between 2024 and 2025, according to Eventbrite, with attendance climbing 121%. People are genuinely craving time away from their screens, and the fitness industry is perfectly placed to offer it.

The UK fitness sector is booming right now too. The latest UK Health & Fitness Market Report shows gym membership has hit a record 12.2 million, with total industry income reaching £6.5 billion. With that many people through the doors, gyms are looking for ways to differentiate — and digital wellness is becoming a genuine selling point.

Should You Try a Phone-Free Workout?

You don’t need to wait for your gym to install fancy NFC tags. Here are a few ways to test the waters yourself:

Leave it in your locker. The simplest option. If your phone isn’t in your hand, you can’t scroll it. Grab a cheap watch if you need to time your rests.
Use focus mode. Both iPhone and Android have built-in focus or Do Not Disturb modes. Set one up specifically for gym time that only lets through calls and your music app.
Download Kip. Even if your gym isn’t a Fitness First, the Kip app lets you create custom modes to block apps during specific activities.
Try it for just one session. Commit to one workout with no scrolling and see how it feels. Most people notice they get through their session faster and feel better afterwards.

The Bottom Line

Your phone is an incredible tool — for tracking workouts, playing music, even following programmes. But when it starts eating into your rest periods and pulling your focus during sets, it’s working against you. The fact that major UK gym chains like Fitness First and PureGym are actively investing in solutions tells you everything: this isn’t a fad, it’s a genuine shift in how we think about fitness and technology.

So next time you head to the gym, maybe try leaving the scroll at the door. Your gains will thank you.

Looking for a gym where you can put the phone down and just train? Find the right gym for you on Gymist.