Reformer pilates
Reformer pilates has been studied in 3 papers since 2024: 3 trials in people; 2 in the past year. The newest paper, Mar 26, 2026: “The Effects of Three Different Pilates Methods on Pelvic Floor Muscle Function: A Randomized Comparative Interventional Study”.
3 papers study it7 findingsUpdated
See all 3 papers on reformer pilates
At a glance
The findings reach people, from one lab or study. 3 independent labs in 3 countries.
“Reformer Pilates demonstrated the greatest gains in PFM strength (Δ = +6.50 mmHg, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.691) and endurance (Δ = +6.00 s, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.540).”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 3 countries
- Funder: Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
- Human trial3
Studies in people
3 studies gave reformer pilates to people and measured what changed.
| What changed | Design | People | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
up: Improves pelvic floor muscle strength up: Improves core flexor endurance | Randomized trial10-week | 48 peoplefemale participantsbetween the ages of 18 and 45Female participants between the ages of 18 and 45 who were healthy in terms of pelvic floor function | Research Square, Mar 26, 2026 |
up: Improves flexibilityg = 0.24 | Randomized trial | 15 peopleWomen42.2 ± 1.5 yearsMidlife adults; sedentary | Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), Feb 11, 2026 |
up: Improves flow-mediated dilationp < 0.05 no change: Has no effect on blood pressure | Randomized trial60 min | 17 people65 ± 2.76 yearsOlder adults | Gerontology, May 7, 2024 |
What did studies of reformer pilates find?
6Studies of reformer pilates measured 6 outcomes; the most studied are core flexor endurance (1 study), pelvic floor muscle strength (1) and pelvic floor muscle strength (1).
Core flexor endurance
upin humans1
1 study
Core flexor endurance
upin humans1
Reformer pilates improve core flexor endurance in humans.
“For core flexor endurance, Reformer (Δ = +16.85 s, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.352) and Mat Pilates (Δ = +8.68 s, p < 0.001) produced greater improvements than Home Exercise.”
Human trial10-weekfemalesn = 48
Research SquarePreprint
Reformer pilates improve core flexor endurance in humans (healthy) (Δ = +16.85 s, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.352).
“For core flexor endurance, Reformer (Δ = +16.85 s, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.352) and Mat Pilates (Δ = +8.68 s, p < 0.001) produced greater improvements than Home Exercise.”
Human trialhealthy10 weeksfemalesn = 14
Research SquarePreprint
Pelvic floor muscle strength
upin humans1
1 study
Pelvic floor muscle strength
upin humans1
Reformer pilates improve pelvic floor muscle strength in humans.
“Reformer Pilates demonstrated the greatest gains in PFM strength (Δ = +6.50 mmHg, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.691) and endurance (Δ = +6.00 s, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.540).”
Human trial10-weekfemalesn = 48
Research SquarePreprint
Pelvic floor muscle strength
upin humans1
1 study
Pelvic floor muscle strength
upin humans1
Reformer pilates improve pelvic floor muscle strength in humans (healthy) (Δ = +6.50 mmHg, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.691).
“Reformer Pilates demonstrated the greatest gains in PFM strength (Δ = +6.50 mmHg, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.691)”
Human trialhealthy10 weeksfemalesn = 14
Research SquarePreprint
Flexibility
upin humans1
1 study
Flexibility
upin humans1
Reformer pilates improve flexibility in humans (sedentary) (g = 0.24).
“the RF session producing greater immediate improvements in flexibility compared to CD (p = 0.030; g = 0.24) and CH sessions (p = 0.030; g = 0.24).”
Human trialsedentaryfemalesn = 15
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
Blood pressure
no changein humans1
1 study
Blood pressure
no changein humans1
Reformer pilates showed no clear effect on blood pressure in humans.
“However, no significant differences were observed in blood pressure or mean arterial pressure in either condition.”
Human trial60 minn = 17
Gerontology
Flow-mediated dilation
upin humans1
1 study
Flow-mediated dilation
upin humans1
Reformer pilates improve flow-mediated dilation in humans (p < 0.05).
“RP showed improved FMD at 0, 10, and 30 min compared with that in the control condition (p < 0.05).”
Human trial60 minn = 17
Gerontology