A space-saving Pilates reformer with a studio feel

Pilates can sometimes feel a little bougie or out of reach — especially when boutique studios charge $100+ a month. The good news? You don’t need a studio membership to enjoy the benefits. Thanks to the rise of at-home reformers and tons of free online classes, it’s easier than ever to get a full Pilates workout at home. So if you’re already a fan or you’re just Pilates-curious but prefer to sweat at home, you’ve probably looked into at-home reformers. And one of the biggest names in the space is Balanced Body.

Balanced Body offers several reformers, but the Metro IQ stands out for its practicality: it collapses and can be stored under a bed or upright in a closet. It’s designed for people who want a studio-style experience without sacrificing floor space. But does that portability come with any trade-offs? I tested it to find out.

First, a quick refresher on why Pilates is so popular. Created over 100 years ago by Joseph Pilates, the method focuses on deep core strength, posture, flexibility and mind-body connection. Because it’s low-impact, it’s also great for injury prevention and recovery — and for anyone who doesn’t love high-impact workouts like running.

While you can do Pilates with nothing more than a yoga mat, equipment adds variety and challenge. The largest piece of dedicated equipment in the workout method is the reformer — similar in size to a narrow dining room table, with a sliding carriage, springs, ropes and a footbar, all intended to provide a customizable full-body workout. Studio reformers are usually handcrafted wood, but they’re heavy and take up a lot of space — not ideal for many homes.

That’s where the Metro IQ’s collapsible and storable version comes in. Made with heavy-duty steel and a studio-quality carriage, it’s intended to offer the benefits of a full Pilates machine without the space-requiring drawbacks.

I tested the Metro IQ for 30 days, using it two to four times per week. While my focus has been on the lower body, I have also tried upper body, core and full-body workouts. Spoiler: I’m obsessed. I’ve been telling everyone about it. But it’s not without downsides — and depending on your budget and priorities, some might be dealbreakers.

Watch the video and grab a friend — the setup will go faster

The Metro IQ is heavy and comes in a big box, so don’t expect to move it around on your own. The delivery guy dropped it off inside my house, but moving it upstairs wasn’t part of the deal, so I had to get a friend to help. One mistake I made, though, was thinking it’d be easier to move if I took it out of the box. In theory, it seemed like a good idea since the box is pretty wide and slick, making it hard to grip. But as soon as we started carrying it up the stairs, the carriage began sliding around, so we had to be careful not to pinch our fingers.

When it comes to assembly, the good news is that most of the reformer is already put together. You’ll just need to attach the springs, footbar, shoulder rests and wheels, which are pretty straightforward. The tricky part? The cable system. But honestly, once you know how it’s supposed to go, it’s easy — the problem is the instruction manual doesn’t help much. To save yourself a lot of time and frustration, I’d definitely recommend watching the company’s unboxing and assembly video. Trust me, it’ll make everything a whole lot easier.

It’s sleek, portable and feels built-to-last

At nearly $2,300, the Metro IQ isn’t exactly cheap. However, the good news is that it’s definitely worth the price. The metal frame feels solid, the springs are heavy-duty and the carriage has studio-quality padding that’s comfortable without compromising stability. The vinyl seems tough too, though I’d still be careful not to tear it, especially when wheeling the machine into storage. The pulley system works well, but if you’re using just one rope, you’ll want to pull the other one and tuck it in so it doesn’t drag on the floor.

Aside from the ropes needing an occasional tightening to avoid slack, the carriage glides super smoothly — no creaks or bumps. Unlike some reformers where you can easily adjust the footbar up or down, with this one, you have to take it out and reposition it. It’s a little bit of a hassle during your workout, but honestly, it’s a minor thing for a footbar that feels solid and grippy.

When you buy the Metro IQ, you can choose between wheelbarrow or library wheels. The wheelbarrow ones are designed for under-bed storage, while the library wheels are intended for upright storage. The one I tested came with the library wheels. I can see how they’re helpful if you need to clear up space when the reformer isn’t in use, but honestly, I don’t have a great place to store it (especially with two toddlers who think anything vertical is a climbing challenge). If I had the option, I’d go with the wheelbarrow wheels since stashing it under my bed would work better for me. In the end, it really comes down to your storage situation.

It’s an excellent at-home reformer — with a few quirks

It’s an excellent at-home alternative with a few minor drawbacks

After using it several times per week for a month, I’m hooked on the Metro IQ reformer. In fact — no exaggeration — I actually look forward to using it. There’s something just more fun about the ropes and sliding carriage than standard floor workouts. Plus, I get a serious workout every time, as evidenced by my legs shaking by the end of each leg day.

As noted earlier, the carriage glides smoothly, and the large loops are easily placed over your feet for lower-body workouts. For the upper body, the ropes are comfortable enough to hold, and you can easily choke up on them for certain movements like rows. The only hiccup I initially encountered was struggling to get the ropes to be the exact same length. It sounds simple to do, but it took a decent amount of trial and error during the workout to get the ropes aligned so that I was working my arms equally, rather than one arm taking the bulk of the movement.

The springs are incredibly easy to adjust, and they also stay in place during your workout. I’ve been pleased with how grippy the footbar is, and I appreciate the ability to adjust its position. Granted, having to actually take it out to adjust it is clunkier than having an adjustable footbar that simply moves up and down. While grippy, I still recommend using grippy socks, especially since the carriage is slick. If you’re doing any movements where at least one foot is on the carriage, you’ll want to ensure your feet don’t slide around.

Another benefit of the machine is that I’ve been able to use it with pretty much any online reformer workout I’ve found. That said, because it’s so low to the ground, you may need to modify some movements,. Lastly, while not a deal breaker for me, the Metro IQ cannot be used with a Pilates tower. I have no intention of leveling up to a tower, but if it’s high on your priority list, you’ll want to opt for a different Balanced Body option.

How much does the Metro IQ reformer cost?

The Balanced Body Metro IQ Reformer costs $2,295, plus an additional shipping fee that’s calculated at checkout. For reference, I’m in Colorado, and mine came out to $214. It’s definitely a significant investment, but there are a few ways to make it more manageable. The reformer is HSA/FSA-eligible, and Balanced Body offers a payment plan that brings it down to as low as $80 per month with 0% APR for those who qualify.

The Metro IQ also comes with a two-year warranty, which covers repairs, replacements or even a refund if something turns out to be defective. Just keep in mind that normal wear and tear — like scratches — isn’t included.

If you end up not loving it, you have 30 days to return it for a refund or store credit. The only catch is that you’ll need to cover the return shipping cost.

Alternatives to consider

When it comes to home Pilates reformers, Balanced Body is one of the most established and trusted names in the industry. The Metro IQ is the most compact option in its lineup, designed specifically for easy storage. But if you’re wishing it sat a little higher or you’re not into the all-black look, Balanced Body has plenty of alternatives.

Is the Metro IQ Reformer worth it?

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.