Mat Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise performed primarily on a cushioned mat. It uses controlled movement, focused breathing and precise alignment to strengthen the body—especially the muscles of the abdomen, back, hips, and pelvic floor. Reformer Pilates follows the same core principles, but exercises are performed on a spring-loaded machine that can provide both resistance and assistance.
What Is Mat Pilates?
In a Mat Pilates class, your body weight supplies most of the resistance. Sessions usually combine exercises performed while lying, seated, kneeling, or standing. Common movements include variations of the hundred, bridges, leg circles, roll-ups and planks. Small props such as resistance bands, light weights, balls or Pilates rings may be added, but a mat is the only essential piece of equipment.
Because it requires little equipment, Mat Pilates is portable, widely available and relatively easy to practice at home. It requires body control without help from a machine, which can make simple-looking exercises surprisingly demanding. Movements can be modified for beginners or progressed through longer levers, more repetitions, change in tempo, and added props.
What’s Unique About Mat Pilates at Remedy?
We offer three Mat Pilates class options at Remedy.
1. Pilates Mat is our traditional class that is both mindful and challenging. We will introduce you to the classical Mat Pilates movement while ensuring each session meets you where you are. This all-level class will strive to align your body, focus on your postural imbalances, and strengthen your core.
2. Pilates + Weights is a perfect blend of strength that meets Pilates in this full-body workout designed to build lean muscle, improve stability, and leave you feeling strong from the inside out. We combine intentional Pilates-based movement with weights to challenge your core, strengthen and sculpt your entire body, and elevate your endurance. All levels are welcome.
3. Pilates + TRX combines traditional and contemporary Pilates with suspension training in a dynamic, full-body workout designed to build strength, stability, balance, and control. Using the TRX alongside Pilates-based movement, you’ll challenge your core, strengthen your entire body, and explore movement in a whole new way. All levels are welcome, with options to modify or level up as you go.
Feature | Mat Pilates | Reformer Pilates |
Equipment | A mat; optional small props | A spring-loaded reformer machine |
Resistance | Mainly body weight and gravity | Adjustable springs, straps, props, body weight and gravity |
Feedback and support | Relies heavily on body awareness and self-control | The carriage and springs can guide, assist or challenge movement |
Variety | A large floor-based exercise repertoire | A very broad repertoire in multiple body positions |
Access and cost | Usually easier to find, less expensive and suitable for home practice | Usually studio-based and more expensive because equipment, education and smaller classes are common |
Learning environment | Often taught in larger group classes or online | Often taught one-to-one or in smaller groups |
What Do They Have in Common?
Both formats are Pilates. They emphasize concentration, controlled breathing, precise movement, posture and balanced muscle development. With regular practice, either may improve strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and body awareness. Neither is automatically “better,” and the quality of instruction, appropriate progression and consistency often matter more than the equipment used.
Which One Should You Choose?
Mat Pilates is a great choice for someone who wants to focus on simplicity, core connection, mobility, and body control. Using your body weight, gravity, and small props for resistance, Mat Pilates challenges you to create stability and control from within. It’s a wonderful way to build foundational Pilates skills, develop body awareness, improve mobility, and strengthen your core. Because there’s no equipment supporting or assisting you, some exercises can actually be more challenging than they appear. Mat Pilates is also a great option for anyone who enjoys a more fluid, athletic workout or wants to develop skills they can eventually take with them anywhere. Reformer Pilates is a great choice for someone who enjoys resistance, variety, and the versatility of equipment. The Reformer uses springs, straps, and a moving carriage to provide both support and resistance, creating hundreds of ways to strengthen, stabilize, mobilize, and challenge the body. The equipment can make certain movements more accessible while also providing opportunities to progress exercises as you become stronger and more confident. Reformer Pilates is especially appealing if you enjoy working against resistance, want variety in your workouts, or appreciate having equipment to help guide your alignment and movement.
Neither is better—they’re simply different ways to experience Pilates. Both can be challenging, both can be modified for different bodies and abilities, and both can help you build strength, control, mobility, and confidence in your movement. At Remedy, we encourage you to experience both and discover what your body responds to and what you enjoy most.
The bottom line: Mat and Reformer Pilates use different tools, but they pursue the same goal: efficient, controlled movement and whole-body strength. Kelly Snailum, Owner of Remedy Pilates and Master Pilates Teacher Trainer, suggests students “Find a teacher who understands the ingredients. Every Pilates exercise has them. The details that create purpose, precision, and intention. Without them, Pilates can feel like movement without direction. With them, even the simplest exercise becomes incredibly challenging.” The best option to choose is the one that fits your budget, schedule, specific needs — and that you can practice consistently.
*If you have an injury, health condition, recent surgery or concerns about whether Pilates is suitable for you, seek guidance from a healthcare professional and tell your instructor before starting. Stop exercising if you feel pain or become unwell.