Stott Pilates Elevated at Home SPX Reformer

I purchased this machine this year due to some health trouble, specifically my lower back. I used to go to a reformer pilates studio and this was expensive, like everyone probably can relate. just adding up the annual fee for this financed this machine so this was a no brainer. I do like it very much, it's extremely well made, sturdy and the parts including the springs and the additional box with ropes are high quality. I was a bit disappointed of the subscription. there should be more for that kind of money on the website. Also the exercises should be frequently updated. Otherwise I love this machine, again its high quality surprised me and the easy assembly or better the lack thereof.

Best purchase of the year for my wife.

This Stott Pilates reformer is exactly the same one my wife has been using at the fitness center. It came packaged very solidly with all the components and videos as listed on the description. Assembly was very easy. The biggest obstacle was disposing of the large cardboard shipping box. HINT: I took a razor knife and cut the boxes into 3 foot by 1 foot pieces, bundled it for my garbage collector recycling day. I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of this machine. The carriage is well padded and slides very smoothly. The rails are aluminum and very sturdy. I expect many years of use of this product. What makes this extremely beneficial for me is my pocket book. My wife was paying $65.00 per session at the fitness center. This machine will pay for itself in ... MoreThis Stott Pilates reformer is exactly the same one my wife has been using at the fitness center. It came packaged very solidly with all the components and videos as listed on the description. Assembly was very easy. The biggest obstacle was disposing of the large cardboard shipping box. HINT: I took a razor knife and cut the boxes into 3 foot by 1 foot pieces, bundled it for my garbage collector recycling day. I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of this machine. The carriage is well padded and slides very smoothly. The rails are aluminum and very sturdy. I expect many years of use of this product. What makes this extremely beneficial for me is my pocket book. My wife was paying $65.00 per session at the fitness center. This machine will pay for itself in less than 6 months for me.

I am sure I will enjoy my Reformer for years

I purchased an At Home SPX Reformer after researching various Reformer options. I chose Merrithew based on the value of the package and the quality of the equipment. I am very happy with my purchase. The Reformer was easy to set up and it is a very solid piece of equipment that I am sure I will enjoy for years. I was initially wanting a Reformer that was higher for ease of getting on and off, but I am really happy I got the SPX because I have been doing standing exercises quite a lot and these wouldn't be possible on a taller Reformer. I have been suffering for years with back pain and have explored many options and discovered the Pilates Reformer in physical therapy and fell in love instantly. After spending hundreds of dollars going to a private studio, I finally ... MoreI purchased an At Home SPX Reformer after researching various Reformer options. I chose Merrithew based on the value of the package and the quality of the equipment. I am very happy with my purchase. The Reformer was easy to set up and it is a very solid piece of equipment that I am sure I will enjoy for years. I was initially wanting a Reformer that was higher for ease of getting on and off, but I am really happy I got the SPX because I have been doing standing exercises quite a lot and these wouldn't be possible on a taller Reformer. I have been suffering for years with back pain and have explored many options and discovered the Pilates Reformer in physical therapy and fell in love instantly. After spending hundreds of dollars going to a private studio, I finally decided I had to have my own Reformer. It is just so much fun to use and I am utterly amazed at the seemingly endless exercises it is possible to do on it! Thank you, Karen Miller Cincinnati, Ohio

I love my Reformer!

I finally took the plunge and bought the SPX Reformer package and I absolutely love it. Setup was super easy (the most difficult part was getting the giant box into the house and unpacking it). Putting it together is a breeze as it is mostly assembled. I researched reformers for several months before making the purchase. I did not have experience on this particular reformer before purchasing. Some factors involved in my choice were the low ceiling of my exercise room, price, quality, and accessories. I definitely wanted springs not cords and I am nearly 6' tall. I also wanted a reformer that had the cardio tramp. I've been taking the cardio sculpt classes at the studio and love them. I've done a few workouts on it and it feels solid. The cardio tramp wobbles a bit ... MoreI finally took the plunge and bought the SPX Reformer package and I absolutely love it. Setup was super easy (the most difficult part was getting the giant box into the house and unpacking it). Putting it together is a breeze as it is mostly assembled. I researched reformers for several months before making the purchase. I did not have experience on this particular reformer before purchasing. Some factors involved in my choice were the low ceiling of my exercise room, price, quality, and accessories. I definitely wanted springs not cords and I am nearly 6' tall. I also wanted a reformer that had the cardio tramp. I've been taking the cardio sculpt classes at the studio and love them. I've done a few workouts on it and it feels solid. The cardio tramp wobbles a bit when bouncing. I will check to make sure I have it properly installed in the reformer before my next session.

My first reformer...

I've only had the reformer for +1 week, but I can tell you it is solid and well built, and gives a great bargain for what is out there. I did some 'research' on a home reformer; the 4 companies that the Pilates Guy recommends--Gratz-doesn't offer anything for the home like the other three companies; Peak Pilates-offered a decent package; and Balanced body offered the Allegro which they seem to be discontinuing for the Allegro 2 which is behind its launch date, and it is so different that it seems like an expensive investment for something that has not been able to stand the test of time yet (think 'sexy' reformer-very cool looking, it would have added +1k to get a comparable package); and then there's Stott-known for quality, and this deal can't be beat. You always ... MoreI've only had the reformer for +1 week, but I can tell you it is solid and well built, and gives a great bargain for what is out there. I did some 'research' on a home reformer; the 4 companies that the Pilates Guy recommends--Gratz-doesn't offer anything for the home like the other three companies; Peak Pilates-offered a decent package; and Balanced body offered the Allegro which they seem to be discontinuing for the Allegro 2 which is behind its launch date, and it is so different that it seems like an expensive investment for something that has not been able to stand the test of time yet (think 'sexy' reformer-very cool looking, it would have added +1k to get a comparable package); and then there's Stott-known for quality, and this deal can't be beat. You always have to calculate your total costs- shipping, plus tax (if applicable, I live in CA, and Balanced Body is in CA too, so the taxes would be substantial...), all these factors played into my purchase. Some Pilates instructors are partial to the brand they trained on, or method they've learned, (ie. Gratz rolls with more resistance compared to a Stott- which is much more smooth...etc. Stott seems to be more expensive compared to Balanced Body when it comes to spring replacement and accessories...but I'd have to replace the springs several times to make-up for the starting costs.) I read reviews that the reformer smells of rubber for a while, I am quite sensitive to such smells, and I can tell you that mine didn't smell. (Maybe during the initial unpacking...) I use a wood frame BB reformer at Physical Therapy and though this SPX is lower to the ground, it is comparable. The DVDs are good, but I would recommend a good book (or two) to build your repertoire of exercises. ('Pilates' by Rael Isacowitz and maybe a book that isn't as intense that is written in more layman's terms.) Bottom line...In this range, and price-point, this deal can't be beat, and the quality is evident...I highly recommend this reformer package.

Quality product: Please READ review before buying

Be extremely careful when purchasing this product. DO NOT sign until this product is inside your house! It's well-worth the $20 to have them carry this in your house unless you have 2 strong people. Here's what YOU MUST know. The company puts an "Important...." sign on the box. It clearly says that you SHOULD NOT sign for the product if there's ANY damage to the box. Luckily, there wasn't on mine. The shipper had me sign for the product before I could even see the box. They said "you need to sign here." Upon signing they proceeded to unload the box and bring it into my house. Upon bringing it on the hand truck to my back yard it darn near smashed to the ground but was stopped in time. It wasn't until after they left my house I even noticed the "Important..." sign. ... MoreBe extremely careful when purchasing this product. DO NOT sign until this product is inside your house! It's well-worth the $20 to have them carry this in your house unless you have 2 strong people. Here's what YOU MUST know. The company puts an "Important...." sign on the box. It clearly says that you SHOULD NOT sign for the product if there's ANY damage to the box. Luckily, there wasn't on mine. The shipper had me sign for the product before I could even see the box. They said "you need to sign here." Upon signing they proceeded to unload the box and bring it into my house. Upon bringing it on the hand truck to my back yard it darn near smashed to the ground but was stopped in time. It wasn't until after they left my house I even noticed the "Important..." sign. The shipper who loaded the box onto the truck should have known this. It would have been in no way, shape or form my fault but the manufacturer clearly says that if you sign all bets are off if there's damage. Do not pay to assemble. "Expert assembly???" lol. Anyone with a brain the quarter size of a flea can put this together. Don't pay that fee but absolutely get them to carry it in for you. If they ask you to sign tell them to look at the box for themselves. The product itself is SWEET so far but only used it once. Seems to be very well-manufactured and be a quality product. Good luck!

So glad I bought it!

After going over and over all of the various choices, and thinking about what I could settle for, given the expense, I ended up buying this package because I wanted something comparable to the reformer I used in the studio. In the end, using it 3 times a week, it pays for itself in a few months (especially since my husband is using it too). I could only afford 2 times a week at the studio, and I enjoy working out more often, and on my own schedule. This reformer is solid, comfortable and professional feeling. I bought Ellie Herman's reformer book to accompany, though the DVDs that come with it are fine, too. One note: We thought we could bring this upstairs to our workout room, but it was too large, coming as one piece -- we have some narrow twists and turns in the ... MoreAfter going over and over all of the various choices, and thinking about what I could settle for, given the expense, I ended up buying this package because I wanted something comparable to the reformer I used in the studio. In the end, using it 3 times a week, it pays for itself in a few months (especially since my husband is using it too). I could only afford 2 times a week at the studio, and I enjoy working out more often, and on my own schedule. This reformer is solid, comfortable and professional feeling. I bought Ellie Herman's reformer book to accompany, though the DVDs that come with it are fine, too. One note: We thought we could bring this upstairs to our workout room, but it was too large, coming as one piece -- we have some narrow twists and turns in the stair, and there was just no way. It works out fine for us -- I put it in my downstairs office and that makes it even easier to work out, but if you want to move it anywhere difficult, you'll need several people or high ceilings, open space.

The BEST of the BEST!

The STOTT PILATES SPX Reformer is the BEST choice to make for a personal reformer for home use. Generally speaking, STOTT PILATES equipment is the GOLD STANDARD of Pilates equipment-the engineering is of significant integrity making the machine extremely durable, high quality, easy to use as well as move around. It is relatively light weight, easy to move around and the sturdiness will make you feel safe and secure. The package comes with some DVD's that are extremely user friendly and will make for great workouts whether you are a beginner or very experienced. I am an experienced Pilates practitioner, have been for 15 years, and STOTT PILATES equipment is the only brand I would endorse! This could be the best gift you give to yourself!

The frame/rails looks like very heavy gauge aircraft aluminum

I got this as a xmas gift for me wife and was really surprised with the entire package. First of all it is constructed of high quality aluminum and steel. The frame/rails looks like very heavy gauge aircraft aluminum. The pad was well made with a synthetic leather cover over a very firm pad. The same quality held true for the other components. Granted this is an expensive piece of gear but this is as close to true commercial equipment as I have seen at this price point. The second nice thing is that is comes almost entirely assembled. It showed up in one box that was clean dry and completely intact. There are a few things to put together, but I do a lot of home improvement so the assembly wasn't particularly complicated from my perspective. It probably took me 30 ... MoreI got this as a xmas gift for me wife and was really surprised with the entire package. First of all it is constructed of high quality aluminum and steel. The frame/rails looks like very heavy gauge aircraft aluminum. The pad was well made with a synthetic leather cover over a very firm pad. The same quality held true for the other components. Granted this is an expensive piece of gear but this is as close to true commercial equipment as I have seen at this price point. The second nice thing is that is comes almost entirely assembled. It showed up in one box that was clean dry and completely intact. There are a few things to put together, but I do a lot of home improvement so the assembly wasn't particularly complicated from my perspective. It probably took me 30 mins to get the bars and ropes and pulleys all assembled, but even if you aren't handy you could still figure it out and only need a wrench and a screw driver (I think the allen wrench that is needed is in the kit).

Wife loves it

I've read on many sites that this is the Cadillac of reformers, and I think they're right. My wife was trained on one this reformer, so she insisted we had to get this one instead of a lesser expensive model. It was also recommended by all her instructors. This reformer is built like a tank. It is evenly balanced and very stable, which was the big requirement from my wife. According to her and her instructors, the lesser expensive models are not very stable and tend to move/shift while doing your exercises. We've had this reformer for over a year now and my wife uses it almost everyday. The quality is great and maintenance is pretty easy. We had to swap out one of the springs and that was very easy to do. The reformer has wheels on it so it is pretty easy to lift on ... MoreI've read on many sites that this is the Cadillac of reformers, and I think they're right. My wife was trained on one this reformer, so she insisted we had to get this one instead of a lesser expensive model. It was also recommended by all her instructors. This reformer is built like a tank. It is evenly balanced and very stable, which was the big requirement from my wife. According to her and her instructors, the lesser expensive models are not very stable and tend to move/shift while doing your exercises. We've had this reformer for over a year now and my wife uses it almost everyday. The quality is great and maintenance is pretty easy. We had to swap out one of the springs and that was very easy to do. The reformer has wheels on it so it is pretty easy to lift on one end and move it around. However, if you need to lift the whole thing off the ground (i.e. to move it upstairs, for example) make sure you have someone there to help you. The only complaint I have is that I've come to the conclusion that the accessories are in general outrageously priced. I've ended up making some of the accessories myself for a fraction of the price that Stott was charging. Update: we've now had this reformer for 2 years and my wife uses it pretty much everyday. I too have started using the reformer in lieu of some of my weight exercises. The springs generate enough resistance that I can do some of my arm and shoulder exercises using the reformer. The reformer itself is in great condition and has required no maintenance. The original springs are still good, though I swap them out every now and then to adjust the level of resistance. While it is easy to swap out springs, it's not something you want to do often. Find a combination of springs that gives you adequate resistance and change it only when the resistance is no longer sufficient. The only piece of the equipment that shows any sign of wear and tear are the ropes; specifically, the section of the ropes that is in contact with the pulleys. I've checked out the ropes closely and this is purely a cosmetic issue. I expect the ropes to last for quite some time. Update2: we're 3 years in and finally had an "event." The reformer has a plastic guide under the carriage that supports the springs when they are not engaged so that they don't droop down and hit the floor. This guide is attached to the carriage with a screw on each end. According to my wife, when you're done using the reformer, you're supposed to make sure all the springs are re-engaged so that their weight is not being supported by this plastic guide. Well, she ignored her own advice and after a while the guide broke on one end. So there is definitely user error in play. That said, I inspected the guide afterwards and it's a really poorly designed and cheap solution for a reformer of this caliber. It's essentially an injection molded hollow plastic that is not very strong for the amount of weight that it needs to be able to support. My wife called the company and got a new piece in the mail which took me just under 3 minutes to replace. The reformer was useable during the entire time that the guide was broken...we just had to deal with the annoyance of the springs not in used being dragged on the floor.