How Many Reformers Do I Need for a Pilates Studio
How many reformers do you need for a Pilates studio?
It depends on your class size, floor space and budget. Many small studios open with around four to six commercial-grade reformers and add more as bookings grow. Here is how to work out your own number, and how to start lean without locking yourself in.
Start with your class size, not your floor plan
Size to your busiest realistic class
The number of reformers you need matches the largest class you plan to run. Work backwards from class capacity: pick the group size you can teach well, then count one studio reformer per client.
Your instructor-to-client ratio sets that ceiling. Size to the class you expect on a busy Tuesday evening, not the one you hope for in year three.
Start with how you'll actually use it, then pick the reformer that fits your space and your budget.
Pilates Direct Team, Pilates Reformer & Equipment Specialists
Leave room to move, and room to grow
Floor space has to cover more than the machines themselves: clear walkways between beds, space for instructors to reach each client, and somewhere to store props and spare equipment. If you plan to add machines later, mark out where they will go now, so a new bed slots in without rearranging the whole room.
Larger orders are quoted individually
For orders of more than 2 reformers, our team quotes directly rather than through the standard bundle. You can see the starting point on the Motion Pilates MP-03 bundle page, then talk to us about the quantity your layout needs. Proper form and qualified instruction matter in any group class, so factor your instructor numbers in too.
A quick checklist before you settle on a number
Your reformer count shifts up or down depending on a handful of answers. Work through these before you place an order.
- Largest class you plan to run. Decide this first and make sure your instructor ratio suits the format.
- Usable floor space. Measure the area left after walkways, storage and the instructor's position are taken out, not the total room size.
- Other apparatus. Wunda chairs, barrels, boxes or a cadillac take up room and reduce how many reformers fit.
- First-year budget. Decide what you can comfortably commit to now, and what you would rather add once bookings build.
- Growth plan. Leave room and budget to add beds later if your timetable fills.
- New, used or rented. Each changes what a first order looks like: used and demo reformers can lower the upfront cost, while rental lets you open with fewer beds and scale up.
Don't forget accessories and other apparatus
Accessory numbers scale with your bed count. Boutique studios generally stock two to three of each accessory per reformer, plus spares, because straps and ropes wear faster once several clients use them every day. Our Pilates machine accessories collection covers the range, so you can order alongside your beds.
If you also run a wunda chair, a pilates box, a ladder barrel or a cadillac, each one brings its own accessory needs. Size quantities to your class numbers and talk them through with your instructors.
Talk to us about your studio fit-out
Send us your room size, class format and growth plan, and we'll recommend a reformer setup that suits your layout and budget. You can also visit our Sydney showroom to try the equipment before you decide. Prefer to research first? Our studio-owner guide is a good place to start.