Fold Reformer Bed review: I tested a home Reformer Pilates Machine to save money on classes

Telegraph

07-03-2025

Our rating: 8/10
We like:
Sturdily made, it glides smoothly and the nicely padded bed makes it comfortable to use
Looks good and is easy to keep clean
Three months free access to the exclusive App with guided at-home workouts
We don't like:
It's very heavy and needs two people to fold it up after using
Not suitable if you're short of space
The weights included in the starter bundle kit are too light if you prefer an intense workout
What is the Fold Reformer bed?
The popularity of Reformer Pilates has exploded in recent years, with celebrities including David Beckham, Madonna and Jennifer Aniston all crediting the exercise for their impressively taut limbs. Studios are popping up on gentrified high streets throughout Britain, but with each class costing between £20-30 on average, unsurprisingly people are wondering whether it's worth investing in their own Reformer bed at home. And for those who have the cash (prices for the machines start at around £1k), shelling out for your own shiny FOLD bed is the ultimate fitness flex.
With its cool branding, high spec fixtures and fittings, generous cushioning on the carriage and smooth gliding, it's quite the status symbol in the Pilates world. Pull on your Oner Active gear and clutch the Stanley Quencher water bottle and you are already five steps ahead for the swankiest Insta posts.
It's only available on the FOLD website (further adding to the exclusive feel) and buying the machine automatically grants you access to classes and the wider FOLD community (for the first three months at least). But can anyone justify the eye-watering expense?
How we test home Reformer Pilates machines
I tested the product, loaned to me for three months, exactly as a potential buyer would at home. I carefully considered the assembling process, how comfortable it was to use during a work out and whether it was simple to tidily store away when not in use. I also took into account the quality of the product itself – would it last over time and prove genuinely durable?
Finally, I thought about whether it was worth its hefty price tag, weighing it up against the cost I'd have had to spend attending classes in the average high street studio.
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Ease of assembly: 5/10
The Reformer had been left in a huge heap of cardboard boxes strapped to a wooden pallet on the driveway outside my London flat. I was out when it was delivered, so my first challenge was getting it up the three steps from street level to front door and inside to the hallway safely. Panicking that the expensive kit might be stolen, I needed three beefy neighbours to help me heave it inside, where it remained until I could beg two strong gym-going men to actually carry it up the stairs to my first floor flat.
It weighs 72kg, more with the wooden pallet it's delivered on, and comes in protected boxes. I'd advise anyone to ensure they are in when it arrives and have help prepared (two or three people is best, I'm an average-sized, reasonably strong woman but had no chance by myself of budging it).
Once out of the packaging, I was able to set up the carriage myself, although two people would find it easier as the metal springs are also not light.
While I was surprised it was so cumbersome to move, once I'd opened it up I could see the quality of the wooden carriage case was very excellent, hence the weight. On the website, Fold also now offers their own delivery service, which might improve some of the issues I had.
Adjustability: 9/10
The Reformer bed is suitable for anyone up to 6ft 4in, and weighing up to a maximum of 130kg (or around 20st).
The head and shoulder rests are static, but the foot bar can be adjusted to four levels and the straps are easily made to suit all arm lengths.
Included in the price of the bed itself is a 'starter bundle' (worth £100) containing a jump box, black Pilates mat, Pilates circle, Pilates ball and one pair of 1kg dumbbells. You'd need to use your own hand weights if you prefer heavier ones and are more 'advanced'.
The five metal springs (the crucial weights that add resistance to tone you up) are very sturdy too, with strong plastic coating so you can clearly see the colour relating to the weight of the springs, with red being the heaviest resistance, green medium and yellow as the lightest weight. This means it's easy to adjust exercises to different abilities by simply unhooking the springs, and it's easy to track your own progress as you are able to build up to working with more resistance.
Usability: 8/10
On purchase of the machine, you'll automatically get complimentary access to the App for a three-month period, which is simple to use. It includes on-demand workouts of various levels, live classes that target certain muscle groups and access to a 'community'. The latter part I didn't personally choose to use but some might enjoy.
However, after the initial three months you have to renew your subscription (costing £9.99 month). You can also find Reformer Pilates workouts for free on YouTube, or just try memorising classes and playing with the mechanisms. Until you're familiar with the exercises, you need to have access to the screen, so be careful of twisting your neck initially when following them.
Getting the hang of switching springs and developing good technique to avoid injury is relatively simple, and the carriage glides very smoothly so you feel steady on it. Most people investing in an at-home foldable Reformer bed – especially one as high-spec as the Fold – are likely to have had previous experience of using them in a studio before shelling out, so that's less of an issue perhaps.
Quality and durability: 10/10
The craftsmanship is beautiful, with the matching accessories and close attention to detail and finish. I've no doubt it's probably the best home Reformer bed on the market in how it looks and glides. It's just as good in terms of quality as the Reformer beds I have been using for years in professional Pilates studios.
It looks better than many studio ones, being made of protected wood (no splinter risk here) rather than standard metal. The metal springs are very sturdy too, as are strong plastic coated coloured rings signifying the resistance levels.
Should you need to replace a single spring for any reason, it will cost you £39.99, or £150 to replace the whole set of five. All elements of the machine are easy to clean and I am confident the product will last for many years without any part deteriorating or needing to be replaced. Each bed comes with a one-year warranty.
Unfortunately, my cats have scratched the padded parts of the bed, probably in protest at this hefty new machinery appearing in their space (clearly entirely my own fault – not the makers' – but something to bear in mind if you have pets).
Storage and maintenance: 6/10
Maintenance is easy, just wipe down with a soft cloth after using. Storing it folded up realistically only takes a few minutes – once you're used to handling the weight of it – but you still need to have a room big enough for it to be stored folded and pushed into a corner of the room. Smaller living rooms such as mine (around 4.5m x 5m) aren't ideal if you need to move other furniture out of the way before opening it out. For me, this was shifting a sofa and desk slightly.
When it's open, it takes up 2350mm (or 92.5in) in length, with a width 600mm (23.6in) and height 260 - 290mm (10.2 - 11.4in). Folded, the dimensions are length 1270mm (50in) x width 680mm (26.8in) x height 400mm (15.7in).
The ball, weights and hoop can all be easily moved around, and stored inside the jump box when not in use, but this does take up some space in addition to the carriage itself. Also if it's a heavily used room (I have three teenagers in the house), it's less practical. So if you're the kind of person who can easily find an excuse not to exercise, that too needs to be considered.
Technical specifications
Another popular home Reformer Pilates machine is the Align-Pilates F3, which is slightly cheaper and lighter, but made from metal and plastic rather than wood. Here is how they stack up.
Telegraph verdict: 8/10
The Fold Reformer bed is a beautiful product and a genuine pleasure to use (assuming you like Pilates that is). The main benefit is being able to work out at home at whatever time suits you, rather than travel to a class. As classes cost on average £25 per session, you are soon making your money back. This is just as long as you have the discipline to use it and already have mastered some good technique, to ensure you're minimising any injury risk and maximising efficiency of movement. These are two things which are key for any home exercise machine in general.
The App's easy to follow and the workouts are great, but the fact it costs an extra tenner a month after the initial three month subscription perhaps seems a little mean considering the substantial initial outlay.
As much as I think it's an excellent Reformer, equal to any studio bed in quality and superior in looks, I'd only really recommend it to Pilates aficionados who have plenty of space at home. It will best suit those with a dedicated space to keep it laid out ready to use, to save on the hassle of folding and unfolding each time.
If you're lucky enough to have (even a smallish) dedicated 'exercise area' at home this would be a lovely addition. Otherwise, it takes up a lot of space in your average sized living room or bedroom and pets, children, housemates or spouses might protest.
FAQs
Is the Original FOLD Reformer Bed foldable?
Yes it is certainly foldable (once you've unhooked the springs). The Reformer then hinges in half quite smoothly, with it being on wheels. But in no way could it be described as easily transportable, or the perfect Pilates Reformer for small spaces.
Is the FOLD Reformer easy to store?
Yes, it comes on wheels so can be pushed to one side of the room once folded easily enough.
What exercises can you do on the FOLD Reformer Bed?
You can do every exercise you usually would on a Reformer Pilates bed that you'd find in a professional studio, so it offers a full body workout.
Is the FOLD Reformer suitable for beginners?
Yes it is, although if you have never used a Reformer ever before, I would recommend at least one session with an instructor to get you going. For those used to exercise generally, but never a Reformer, they should be fine. However, it's highly likely that anyone investing in this equipment to use at home would be familiar with how they work and how to use them,