Pilates Reformer Compared to the Tower: Which Should You Choose?

Pilates Reformers provide fantastic full body workouts that are suitable for most clients whether they are working out in a home gym or at a fitness center. Some practitioners may wish to advance their workout by using a Tower apparatus as well. But how do you know which one will be the right one for your Pilates practice? We examine the difference between a Tower apparatus and a Reformer so you can determine which is right for you.

The Reformer

Using your arms and legs to push and pull against spring resistance on a moving carriage, Reformer exercises range from the simple to the advanced, and are easily modified to fit every client’s needs. Practitioners can add or remove springs based on the exercise chosen – leg moves will require more springs, while abs and arm workouts require fewer. When using a reformer, your body will be properly aligned, elongating the body and musculature in a safe manner that protects your joints.

The Tower

In the 1980’s the Tower was created in an effort to make a more compact version of the Cadillac apparatus. A vertical unit that uses a multitude of attachments, the Tower includes arm and leg springs, pull/push-through bars, and roll-down bars to provide a full body workout. While Reformers use springs attached to a central anchoring point, the Tower has springs in a variety of locations, allowing the legs, arms, and torso to work directly with the spring. A stable platform makes seated and standing exercises easier, while providing an unparalleled stretch. Tower exercises leave participants feeling taller and lighter, as the workouts focus on opening the hips and chest, while lengthening the spine.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Tower and Reformer

Because the Tower has so many spring placements at varying heights, users can workout with fuller movements than the Reformer. The ropes on a Reformer can be close to the rails, placing limitations on certain movements when using it. One example of this is side leg exercises, which are possible, but much more complicated, to perform on the Reformer, as the practitioner needs to be in the right position for the ropes to clear their body. The springs on the Tower have more resistance than the Reformer, especially when the practitioner’s legs move away from the center. Clients with tight hamstrings will benefit from this additional resistance.

A majority of the exercises done on a Cadillac apparatus can be performed on the Tower as well, as the Tower is basically the Cadillac without the surrounding frame and trapeze, and with all the springs placed at the end connected to the wall. With the tower bar and springs at a higher height, there are a wide range of full body exercises that one can perform on a Tower.

Tower classes follow a horizontal to vertical progression, beginning with a mat warm-up. The raised mat on the Tower is useful when teaching a mat class to a group. The Tower will need to be used against a wall and affixed to a mat, or attached to a Reformer, so space is a consideration when purchasing one. Cost is an additional factor as Tower equipment is usually more expensive than a Reformer, costing around $1000-$2000 more per apparatus.

Tower classes are appropriate for strong beginners to intermediate practitioners, and users should be familiar with Cadillac and Tower exercises. For beginners who are just starting their fitness journey, a Reformer is a perfect piece of equipment to begin to explore Pilates. There are also some models that combine a Reformer and a Tower unit for the ultimate range of full body exercises suitable for practitioners at any level.

Ultimately, the Tower provides a more full body workout, that is suitable for most practitioners. However, cost, space, and level of experience are all factors to take into consideration when determining which apparatus is right for your practice.