Reformer Pilates Classes Are Coming to Tonal.
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I love going to the (expensive) Pilates Reformer studio for classes, but I also enjoy staying home and practicing on my own . Ultimately, it all depends on my mood.
Good news for people like me: Tonal is launching reformer-style Pilates with a new update. If you have a home strength training machine or are considering getting one, this might be important for you. Even if you’re not the type to wake up on a Saturday morning eager to spend $65 on a reformer, or if you’ve never tried Pilates at all, this is great because it allows you to try it from the comfort of your home, using the same equipment you use for more traditional strength training. Classes led by yoga and Pilates instructor Christine McGee are divided by skill level and, like all Tonal workouts, are individually tailored to your strength.
What are Pilates classes like in Tonalá?
Last week, I had the chance to try out a new Pilates offering. It was exciting because I don’t own a Tonal machine (yet, as I’m planning to buy one), but also terrifying because, technically, I don’t own a Tonal machine. I didn’t know what to expect. Basically, I knew they were digital devices that you attach to the wall, calibrate, and work out pretty much like a cable machine at the gym. They use magnetic resistance to increase and decrease the weight.
First, I performed a few standard weight exercises so the machine could determine my strength. Every user performs the same four exercises to establish a baseline. After that, the machine will adjust the weight for all exercises based on the user’s capabilities, gradually increasing the weight as their strength improves.
Then it was time for Pilates. The main difference between the new Pilates programs and traditional strength training on the Tonal is the same as comparing a cable machine to a reformer: in Pilates exercises, resistance increases as you push or pull, whether due to the reformer’s springs or the Tonal’s settings.
I did a few leg circles, a few hundred, and a few other standard Pilates moves—and, aside from the fact that I was lying on the floor interacting with a big digital machine, it felt a lot like using a reformer.
Characteristics of Tonal Pilates
This program won’t officially be available to Tonal users until November 17th, but you can order the loops now. They were developed in collaboration with Pilates Loops and cost $100. They’re similar to the straps for a standard reformer. There’s a long loop, a short loop, and a knot that can be tightened further, depending on the type of exercise and desired intensity.
Aside from the straps, no further hardware upgrades are required—a software update for the Tonal 1 and Tonal 2 machines will be released in November. The Pilates update will integrate the digital weight technology installed on all machines and allow for up to 10 resistance levels. The machine makes subtle adjustments as you perform the exercises McGee demonstrates. If you’re struggling or finding something too easy, adjustments will be made automatically.
Tonal already offered mat Pilates classes, and while I enjoy them, it’s not quite the same as struggling with a machine designed specifically for this purpose. That’s why I still go to the studio several times a week, despite having access to mat Pilates classes on YouTube , Peloton , and at my gym. The addition of this program offers a deeper choice for those looking for a workout that’s gentle on joints, engages the core, and improves mobility and balance.
Tonal 2 is priced at $4,295, with a monthly subscription costing $60.