Echelon Meridian Pilates Reformer Review: A Studio Quality Machine for Home

Whether you’re a Pilates pro or a complete newbie looking for another modality to vary and improve your workouts, the Echelon Meridian Pilates Reformer is a piece of home workout equipment truly worth checking out.

As runners, we know logging miles is only part of the equation. Strength training and mobility work play a huge role in staying healthy, running stronger, and avoiding the injuries that can derail training. The challenge is finding something you’ll actually do consistently.

Pilates has long been recommended cross training for runners because it builds core strength, improves stability, and increases mobility. But studio classes can be expensive and difficult to fit into an already busy schedule.

That’s where the Echelon Meridian Pilates Reformer comes in. It brings a true studio quality Pilates experience into your home, combining premium construction with connected workouts that make it easy to fit sessions into your day.

We’ve tested a lot of home fitness equipment over the years, and while a Pilates reformer is certainly a more specialized investment than a treadmill or spin bike, the Meridian stands out for its quality, thoughtful design, and overall value. Whether you’re an experienced Pilates enthusiast or a runner looking to improve strength, flexibility, and longevity, this is one of the most impressive home reformers we’ve tested.

If you have concerns with space in your home, or if you are on a tight budget, the Echelon reformer may not be the perfect fit for you. The machine does fold up, but it is still a relatively large piece of equipment if it isn’t the only piece your home gym features.

It also requires a monthly membership with Echelon in order to use the touchscreen; however, you do have the option to use a tablet holder in its place if you’d prefer to use other classes or a more budget-friendly platform.

Echelon Meridian Pilates Reformer Overview

As a long-time distance runner who recently entered my 40’s, I’m placing an increasingly big emphasis on varying my workouts and extending my routine beyond just the pounding miles I ran in my 20’s.

With the need for more strength and mobility training, adding in additional workout disciplines has been a game changer for me – and this is where Reformer Pilates enters the picture.

What is Reformer Pilates?

If you’re not familiar with Reformer Pilates, the practice is a low-impact, dynamic strength and flexibility focused workout. The workouts are designed to improve overall strength, especially core strength, and mobility through the use of a Reformer machine, which uses a sliding carriage and adjustable springs and pulleys to vary resistance.

The benefits are terrific for runners, including full-body toning, core strengthening, and low-impact work. The workouts have become popular worldwide, but until recently, it was much harder to access this type of workout at home versus in a studio or gym.

The Echelon Meridian Reformer brings all the benefits of Reformer Pilates workouts directly into your home with their beautiful, studio-grade equipment.

Delivery And Set Up

To start the experience, Echelon uses a third-party delivery service that brought the machine directly to my home gym in my basement and set the machine up. The white glove service was easy to schedule, and the delivery guys were friendly and professional – plus they saved me the task of trying to figure out exactly how to put this complex machine together!

This is something we’ve seen offered only by a few brands, but is a MASSIVE benefit when looking at at home equipment. Coach Amanda has told us her horror stories of needing to move a 300lb machine to the basement on their own.

Echelon App and Membership

When getting started with the equipment, you do have to activate an Echelon membership in order to access classes on the touchscreen.

Echelon offers a 30-day free trial to start using their platform, and the membership gives you access to the immediate use of Pilates Reformer classes, as well as spin classes, treadmill classes, rowing, and bootcamps.

While I use an alternative platform for running, spin, and strength, it was nice to have immediate access to Pilates Reformer classes to get started with the new equipment. Plus other team members have tested Echelon Treadmills and Spin bikes, so we know the classes touch on all the equipment they provide.

One nice thing about this reformer is that, unlike a lot of other platform-based workout equipment, you can opt to use the tablet holder in lieu of the 22” screen that the machine comes with.

This gives you the flexibility to opt into the Echelon platform classes or to use your own choice of instruction, free form workouts, etc. without the obligation of a membership. Especially if you’re using alternative platforms to workout, this is a nice way to access the high quality equipment on your own terms.

Durablity and Quality

On first impression, I can genuinely say this reformer is one of the nicest pieces of exercise equipment I have ever used, at home or in a gym/studio. The design of the reformer is sleek, sturdy, and high quality on every surface.

I’ve taken Pilates classes in an upscale gym studio, and this machine really holds up to luxury commercial-grade equipment.

The carriage frame is made of aluminum, which makes it substantial yet lightweight, and the machine’s accents are all sturdy stainless steel. The machine also features premium hardwood finishes to make it look as sleek as it feels.

The padded carriage, shoulder rests, headrest, sitting box, and jumpboard are all made of premium synthetic leather and foam padding.

The machine comes with several attachments, including a 22” rotating HD touchscreen for class access, an adjustable 6-position footbar, and a rope/pulley system.

It has a professional-grade aluminum carriage and padded shoulder blocks for comfort. It also comes with a jumpboard, a sitting box, and a tablet holder if you want to opt-out of the touchscreen. The machine is also adjustable to your height to help accommodate a variety of users.

On the reformer, there are two sets of 3 springs, each with a different color. These springs give you the ability to adjust resistance in your workout and modify for each movement. The springs make workouts highly adaptable and easily modified based on your strength and ability.

My Experience

The machine is incredibly smooth and easy to use, and Echelon includes a basic beginner class if you need to learn how to actually use the pulleys, springs, and other components. The machine is also incredibly quiet, making virtually no noise with carriage movement.

I loved that this reformer gave me the option to squeak in quick, 10-minute core work or longer-format 45 minute full-body workouts.

Having it right in the comfort of my home also meant saving the per-class fee at my gym, and I could hop straight off my treadmill into my Pilates class. That convenience is really unbeatable and has me incorporating more strength and flexibility into my training plan super easily!

If you’re limited on space but still want to have a reformer in your home, the Echelon Meridian does fold up in the middle to give you some space savings. It features 4 omnidirectional wheels to help moving the large machine more easily and to fold it up as needed. There are also metal clips on the sides of the machine to secure the frame once it’s folded.

How Long Will It Last

Given the high quality, commercial grade materials of the Echelon Meridian, the machine feels like it will hold up over many workouts and years of use.

I was extremely impressed with the aluminum frame and soft, plush carriage and shoulder rest materials. The springs feel substantial, and the pulleys and handles all mimic the quality of the machine itself.

This feels like an investment piece that will hold up in your home gym over a very long time. Echelon also does include a 1-year limited warranty on all equipment, and if you maintain your membership with them, they will extend that warranty to a 5-year total warranty.

How does the Echelon Meridian Pilates Reformer Compare?

If you’re evaluating multiple reformers, I’d say that there are a couple of key factors you should consider, including budget and space. There are quite a few reformers on the market, some with digital connectivity and some without screens.

If you’re looking at more budget-friendly options, pay attention to the use of metal studio springs like the Echelon versus the use of bungee-style cords or resistance bands. Here are a few other options you can consider:

• NordicTrack Ultra 1 Reform RX-S – Digital integration and a touchscreen display but at a much higher budget for commercial-grade equipment.
• VEVOR Foldable Pilates Reformer – Much more cost-effective reformer option without the touchscreen or digital platform.

Buy Echelon Meridian Reformer

What to read next?

• Pilates for Runners – Why do it?
• Fitness Gifts That Deliver
• Echelon Treadmill Review