Mat Pilates is done on the floor using your own bodyweight, sometimes with small props, while reformer Pilates is done on a sliding carriage machine with springs that can either assist or resist you. Both follow the same principles of control, breath and alignment. Neither is "better." Mat work is often harder than people expect, because there are no springs to help, and reformer work offers a different kind of support and resistance.
Key takeaways
- Mat and reformer Pilates share the same method: control, breath, alignment and working from your center.
- On a reformer, springs can make a movement easier or harder. On the mat, you support yourself entirely.
- Many classical mat exercises are more challenging without spring assistance.
- Mat classes usually need less equipment, which often makes them more affordable and accessible.
- Both suit beginners when the instructor scales the work. You can absolutely do both.
What mat Pilates is
Mat Pilates is the original foundation of the method. You work on a padded mat on the floor, moving through a sequence of exercises that challenge your trunk, hips, shoulders and spine.
The main resistance is your own body and gravity. Many classes also use light props, such as a Pilates ring, resistance bands or light weights, to add challenge or give feedback.
Because you need very little equipment, mat Pilates is something you can practice in a studio, at home or while traveling. Once you learn the exercises, they go with you.
What reformer Pilates is
A reformer is a bed-like frame with a padded carriage that slides back and forth on rails. The carriage is attached to a set of springs, and there are straps, a footbar and other attachments.
You push or pull against the springs while lying, kneeling, sitting or standing on the carriage. The machine allows a very wide range of exercises, and the springs can be changed to suit the movement and the person.
How springs assist or resist
The springs are the heart of the reformer, and understanding them explains most of the difference between the two forms.
Springs can resist you. When you press the carriage away, the springs pull back, so your muscles have to work against them. Heavier springs mean more resistance in many exercises.
Springs can also assist you. In some movements, the springs help support part of your bodyweight or guide the carriage through its path. That support can make a movement more accessible, especially when you are learning it.
This dual role is what makes the reformer so adaptable. An instructor can adjust the springs to make an exercise easier, harder or more stable.
Which is harder?
Many people assume the machine must be the harder option. The honest answer is that it depends on the exercise, and many mat exercises are actually harder.
On the mat, nothing supports you. When you roll up from lying to sitting, lift your legs or hold a position, your own strength and control do all the work. There is no spring to share the load or guide the path.
On a reformer, the springs can add resistance that makes some exercises very demanding. But in other exercises, that same spring support makes the movement easier than its mat version.
So both can be challenging. They simply challenge you in different ways. Mat work tends to expose exactly where you need more strength and control, which is part of why it is considered the foundation of the method.
Cost and access
Reformer equipment is large and costly to buy and maintain, and each machine takes up floor space. Those costs often show up in class prices.
Mat classes need far less equipment, so they are often more affordable per class. They are also easier to continue at home, since all you need is a mat and some floor.
Pricing varies widely by studio and location, so compare what each option includes rather than assuming one is always more expensive.
Class size
In reformer classes, the number of people is limited by the number of machines in the room.
Mat class sizes vary more. Some studios run large mat classes, which can make it harder for the instructor to give individual attention. Others keep them small on purpose. When choosing any class, it is worth asking how many people attend, because smaller groups mean more coaching and more corrections.
Which is better for beginners?
Both can work well for beginners. What matters most is a qualified instructor who explains the basics and offers modifications.
Some people like starting on a reformer because the springs can provide support and feedback. Others prefer starting on the mat, because it teaches the foundational exercises and builds awareness without equipment to learn.
If you are new, a good mat class is a very natural starting point. You learn the core principles of breath, trunk control and alignment, and those principles transfer to every other form of Pilates. Our guide to Pilates for beginners covers what to expect in your first few classes.
If you have pain, an injury, a medical condition, or are pregnant or postpartum, talk to your doctor or physical therapist before starting either. Instructors can then offer modifications.
Can you do both?
Yes, and many people do. The two forms complement each other.
Mat work builds the independent strength and control you need to support yourself. Reformer work adds variety and spring-based resistance. Practicing both gives you a broader understanding of the method, and what you learn on one tends to improve the other.
If you only have access to one, that is fine too. The principles are the same, and either can be a complete practice. Both deliver the core benefits of Pilates.
Where Space fits
Space Pilates + Wellness Society is a mat studio. There are no reformers. Space Pilates is classical mat Pilates using light props such as rings, bands and light weights, in classes of 45 to 50 minutes.
Classes are capped at 15 people, so instructors can see everyone and offer individual cues and modifications. The studio also offers sculpt, strength and restorative yoga formats, which you can explore on the classes page.
If reformer work is what you are looking for, a reformer studio will serve you well. If you want to build strength and control from the floor up, mat Pilates is an excellent place to do it.
Questions
Is mat Pilates as effective as reformer Pilates?
Both follow the same principles and can be a complete practice. Mat Pilates relies on your own bodyweight without spring assistance, which makes many exercises very challenging.
Is mat Pilates easier than reformer Pilates?
Not necessarily. Without springs to assist you, many mat exercises are harder, because your own strength and control do all of the work.
Should a beginner start with mat or reformer Pilates?
Either can work with a good instructor. Mat Pilates is a natural starting point because it teaches the foundational exercises and principles that carry into every other form.
Can I do mat Pilates at home?
Yes. Once you learn the exercises with an instructor, you need only a mat and some floor space. Learning in a class first helps you build good form.
What do I wear to mat Pilates?
Fitted, stretchy clothes and grippy socks work best. Read our full guide on what to wear to Pilates.
Curious how mat Pilates feels? Try Space with 2 weeks unlimited for $69 and see what you can build from the floor up.
Try it at Space. Space Pilates: classical mat pilates, 45 to 50 minutes. About the class · 2 weeks unlimited for $69
Part of the guide: Benefits of Pilates: A Complete Guide to What It Builds in You
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Updated October 2026.