I love a quick and effective home workout as much as the next woman. I'm always looking for ways to elevate my at-home workouts—especially when it comes to pilates, which as a fitness trainer and former professional dancer, has been a key part of my exercise journey since the beginning. With the demand for convenient, accessible, low-impact at-home workout options continuing to rise, pilates reformers are becoming more popular in homes across the country, according to a 2024 Consumer Goods Industry Market Research Report. Naturally, I was curious to see if using a reformer at home could really deliver a workout that competes with the studio experience.
The Balanced Body Allegro 2 is a cult-favorite reformer commonly found in professional studios and is known for its heavy-duty frame and smooth performance, but at around $4,000 all-in, it’s no small investment. Against the backdrop of a new, rapidly expanding category of home-specific reformers emerging in recent years—think more affordable, compact, and/or digitally connected options—I decided it was time to see for myself whether the Allegro 2 could hold its own within the confines of my home.
For comparison, lightweight, space-saving models like this one from AeroPilates start at about $900, while digitally connected options like the Frame Fitness and Reform RX reformer range from $4,000 to $10,000, respectively. My goal was to see how the Allegro 2—an analog machine often referred to by experts as the gold standard—stacks up against home-specific models I've tested to determine which offers the best user experience.
Here’s what I found.
The Allegro 2 at a glance.
Pros
- Built like a tank with a commercial-grade frame
- Covered by a 10-year warranty (hello, peace of mind)
- Footbar adjustability is top-notch
- Ideal for a low-impact strength workout
- No ongoing membership expenses
Cons
- Pricier upfront investment than other options
- Not a 'smart'/connected machine
- Most accessories are sold separately (and not cheap)
- Takes up a good chunk of space/not portable
| Dimensions | 94"L x 25"W x 15"H (with legs) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 139 lbs. (with legs) |
| Colors | 30 |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Getting the feel of the Allegro 2.
Originally designed for commercial use, the Allegro 2’s beastly frame and components (notably, the thick AF springs) make it a solid choice for safe and long-term home use. While some home-specific reformers may skimp on durability and require frequent maintenance or adjustments to the springs and carriage, this machine is built to handle the wear and tear of high-volume use and requires minimal upkeep, says Haley Sung, a pilates instructor at East River Pilates, in NYC. "The Allegro 2 is the reformer you’ll find most frequently in professional pilates studios,” says Sung. Unlike the OG, clunky wooden reformers, this one has a sleek, low-profile design that’s less obtrusive in your living space. But fair warning: it’s not small or lightweight, so make sure you’ve got the real estate before committing. (The machine itself is about 8 feet long by 3 feet wide, but you’ll need to factor in an additional 1 to 2 feet of clearance on all sides to safely perform exercises.)
Setting this thing up was no joke—I knew I was in for a challenge when I saw the multiple massive, heavy boxes it arrived in. It took a friend and me nearly two hours to get it fully assembled (with the added leg kit, jumpboard, and footbar). The instructions were clear enough, but we had to wrestle with some hefty components, and properly aligning the footbar required teamwork and steady hands. The good news is that it comes with all the necessary tools for setup, and there aren’t many. If you can do without built-in virtual class instruction and are looking for a more affordable, smaller, and easier-to-install option, AeroPilates makes a few options that may be more suitable than the Allegro 2. (FYI: The final setup was cramped and ugly in my tiny Brooklyn apartment. The photos included throughout this article were taken at Sarah Brooks Pilates studio, in NYC, on the same machine.)
I’ve been doing in-studio pilates a few times per month for more than five years, but the first time I hopped on this reformer at home, I felt a little lost without an instructor guiding me. Using a traditional reformer at home can be a bit overwhelming at first, especially if you’re used to having an instructor call the shots in terms of spring resistance, footbar positions, moves, and all the rest. I found myself second-guessing my setup and wondering if I was getting the most out of each exercise (or sometimes, if the move I was doing was even a real exercise at all). Thank goodness for YouTube—I followed along with videos from Balanced Body and East River Pilates to get started, which walked me through everything from basic setup to more advanced moves. Eventually, I found myself branching out to other creators on TikTok and Instagram for inspiration and to switch things up. There’s a wealth of pilates reformer content out there, so once you get the hang of things, you can really explore the full potential of this machine with à la carte digital guidance.
Compared to the Reform RX and Frame Fitness reformers, which feature displays for streaming classes, the Allegro 2 is geared more toward advanced users. While the Frame Fitness reformer is priced the same as the Allegro 2 and caters more towards beginners with streaming classes, I found the carriage to be much smaller and less comfortable, limiting exercise variety and long-term utility. The Reform RX, on the other hand, matches the Allegro 2 in size and stability, meaning it offers a similarly solid feel and a wide range of exercises, but it includes interactive features and guidance for more than double the price.
The easy-glide footbar is my new favorite thing.
The first time I used the Allegro 2, I was blown away by how much the additional positions of its footbar allowed me to change up my usual pilates sequences. It's not just about the vertical positions—this one slides horizontally, too, giving you nine extra positions to play with compared to most competitors. This adds incredible versatility in terms of movement options that most competitors can't beat.
From planks to core work, the potential this single feature unlocks makes a massive difference in the user experience. It took me a minute to figure out how to adjust it (okay, more like at least five minutes), but the mechanism is actually pretty intuitive once you know what you’re doing—just a simple lift and slide—there’s definitely a bit of a learning curve. Now that I’ve got the hang of it, I can’t imagine going back to a reformer without this feature.
Who should invest in the Allegro 2?
Before testing the Allegro 2 at home, I was well-acquainted with the top-notch in-studio experience it provides. And if you frequent in-studio pilates classes, chances are you’ve already used this exact same machine at some point, too. But could it deliver the same feeling when working out on my own, away from the guidance of a pro? After using it for a few weeks solo, I found that if you have the space, pilates know-how, and budget, it's the best home reformer investment you can make. No other reformer beats the Allegro 2's size and stability, and therefore exercises versatility and longevity, at this price point.
The biggest potential limitation of the Allegro 2 is that it isn’t a “smart” machine. Unlike digitally connected, home-specific reformers such as Frame Fitness and Reform RX, this one doesn’t come with live classes, pre-programmed workouts, or form feedback. In other words, you’re on your own for instruction and guidance. However, when compared to the cost of studio sessions, owning this reformer can offer long-term savings in place of in-studio reformer classes. If you’re already receiving virtual or in-person pilates instruction at home, or are an advanced user who is comfortable following along with online videos or creating your own workouts, then the Allegro 2 may be a valuable addition to your home fitness setup.
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Talene Appleton is the fitness editor at Women’s Health, where she covers all things fitness, nutrition, and healthy living. She studied nutrition and exercise science at George Washington University and is a NASM-certified personal trainer and nutritional consultant. Passionate about the intersections between fitness, food, and community, she strives to foster inclusive and holistic wellness narratives for underrepresented populations. When not writing, she can be found hosting dinner parties and exploring new wellness and culinary experiences around New York and Los Angeles. Prior to her role at Women’s Health, she was the fitness and commerce editor at Men’s Health and contributed to General Surgery News, The Food Institute, and The Nessie.
