Left: AlrightHey via Instagram | Right: Kmart
Kmart’s Black Friday sale is about to kick off, but there’s one item we’re predicting will fly off the shelves: the pilates reformer for $229. But is it any good?
The beige contraption certainly looks chic, and at $229 is an absolute steal, especially when you compare it to machines from fitness brand Your Reformer, which retail for around $3000. But is it too good to be true? We looked to reviews from shoppers and those with early access to the machine to find out…
Is Kmart’s reformer pilates machine good quality?
The quality of Kmart’s reformer pilates machine looks … questionable. Facebook users commenting on Fat Mum Slim’s page were quick to raise their doubts about the sturdiness of the machine.
“It looks too flimsy,” wrote one.
“It looks like a fold-out single bed from the 80s,” wrote another.
Another worried about the machine’s stability. “It looks like it would be so unstable under you.”
What shoppers are saying about the pilates machine
One Facebook user who owns and has been using Kmart’s black reformer pilates machine for months says the machine offers great value for money.
“I LOVE it,” she wrote.
That being said, she outlined a couple of drawbacks: it was difficult to set up initially, and the machine offers slightly less resistance than a professional-grade machine you’d use in a gym or studio.
AlrightHey’s Kmart reformer pilates review
Social media personality Matt Hey, aka @alrighthey, reviewed Kmart’s beige pilates machine on Instagram. “I’ve never done this before,” he confessed before hopping onto the machine. He started on the lowest resistance setting but soon levelled up after feeling like he was on a rollercoaster. While he stopped short of pronouncing a verdict on his review, some of the facts we gleaned from the video include:
- The resistance arm bands may be too long for some users
- The foldable legs are convenient for storage but appear flimsy
Watch AlrightHey’s review:
Is buying a pilates reformer machine worth it?
Reformer pilates makes you feel amazing, but let’s face it, it’s an expensive exercise. Classes can cost anywhere from $30 to $50 a pop, and if you’re going three times a week, that could be $150. Times that by 52, and you’ve spent $7800 on classes alone.
If you want to buy a high-end pilates machine from a brand like Your Reformer, you could be spending upwards of $2000.
So, if you want to commit to doing reformer pilates but don’t have an unlimited budget, this machine really will pay for itself (girl math).
