Reformer, Cadillac, or Mat? A Beginner's Guide to Choosing Your First On-Demand Class

Staring at a list of reformer, cadillac, spine corrector, wunda chair and mat classes and not sure where to begin? Here's the simple way to work out which one is right for you.

Mat: the place to start if you're not sure

Mat Pilates uses just your body weight, a mat, and sometimes a few small props like a foam roller or light weights. If you're brand new to Pilates, or you don't have access to any equipment at home, this is the easiest place to start — no special kit, no assumptions about experience, just clear instruction you can follow anywhere. Browse on-demand mat classes here.

Reformer: for building strength with spring resistance

The reformer is a sliding carriage attached to a frame with adjustable springs, which add resistance to the workout. It's brilliant for building core strength and full body control, and the spring resistance means it can feel both more supportive and more challenging than mat work, depending on the exercise. You'll need access to a reformer to follow along.

Cadillac: for a full range of supported movement

The Cadillac is a larger piece of equipment with a raised frame, bars, and springs that allow for a wide range of supported stretching, strengthening work, and acrobatic movements you can't easily replicate on a mat or reformer. The cadillac is the most accessible piece of apparatus so is fantastic for injury rehab, however it also facilitates some of the more gymnastic Pilates repertoire. Something for everyone!

Spine corrector and Wunda Chair: for targeted work

These smaller pieces of equipment are brilliant for specific goals: spinal mobility and core control on the spine corrector, and balance, strength and precision on the Wunda Chair. Both are worth exploring once you've got a bit of equipment-based Pilates under your belt.

How to decide

Ask yourself two questions: what equipment do I actually have access to, and what am I trying to get out of my practice? If the answer to the first question is "just a mat," start there — mat Pilates is a complete practice in its own right, not just a warm-up for the "real" equipment work. If you do have access to a reformer or other equipment, browse the full equipment class library here and pick whatever matches your current goal, whether that's strength, mobility, or rehab-focused work.

Not sure which class within a category to pick? Get in touch and I'm happy to point you in the right direction.