In recent years, Reformer Pilates has taken centre stage in the fitness world. Studios are popping up left and right, and honestly, it can be hard to know where to start and how to choose. In this article, I’m sharing my review of the different Reformer Pilates studios I’ve tried in Toronto. This list isn’t exhaustive and will keep growing over time, so feel free to check back!
Most of the studios mentioned in this list are available on ClassPass. If you’ve never used ClassPass before, you can get free credits to try a few classes using my link.
Before I go any further, don’t forget to find me on Instagram, Pinterest and Youtube.
Peridot Wellness
I’m starting with my favourite, and also the studio where I tried Reformer for the very first time a few years ago. The studio recently moved from King West to Trinity Bellwoods, and I haven’t had the chance to visit the new space yet. But the team stayed the same, so I feel comfortable recommending them without hesitation. Meagan, the owner, is also a chiropractor (you’ll find her on my list of recommended addresses in Toronto). She hand-picks her instructors with a lot of care, and also chose to keep the space more intimate, with only 5 reformers.
Worth noting: reformers are just part of what Peridot Wellness offers, you can also see a chiropractor there (which I do), book a massage, an acupuncture session, and more.
What I love: small classes, the instructor’s attention to my practice, always a warm welcome. I love the quality of the instructors.
What I love less: I really don’t have much to say here.
Price: $49/class, Intro pass at $99 for 3 classes.
Neighbourhood: Trinity Bellwoods
Canergy Prima
I tried Canergy Prima a few months ago. The studio is located above The Score on King bar, at King and Church. If you’ve walked by without knowing, you’ve probably missed it! I love that discreet, slightly secret feel. I think there are a bit more than a dozen reformers, so it’s a bigger class, but since it wasn’t full, it wasn’t really an issue in my case.
The reformer room overlooks St. James Cathedral across the street, and I found that it made a nice change from all the big buildings you see everywhere, it gave a small-village kind of feel.
The class itself was good, I believe I tried a Level 2, and it was still fairly easy for me. So if you’re already experienced, I’d encourage you to start with a Level 2 to see how you feel, and adjust for your next session.
What I love: the welcome was really warm, the instructor explained things well, and it felt pretty accessible even for beginners.
What I love less: I really don’t have much to say here either.
Price: $42/class ($70 for 2 if you come with someone), Intro pass at $68 for 4 classes.
Neighbourhood: St. Lawrence Market/Union (they also have another studio Uptown)
Neutral Pilates
Just steps from my previous Reformer studio review in Toronto, you’ll find Neutral Pilates. The studio is located in the PATH, near Brookfield Place. Funny enough, when they opened, my boyfriend told me: “there’s a new reformer studio there you might want to try.” Except it kind of looks like a fishbowl, you can see the reformers through the glass as you walk through the food court. So if, like him, you’ve walked by and were wondering: the curtains are closed during classes.
Here too, there are about a dozen reformers. It was another Level 2 class, but it felt harder than the one at Canergy Prima. Which reminded me once again that levels are hard to standardize from one studio to another, and from one instructor to another.
What I love: the location, super easy to get to. If you work nearby, you can even come during your lunch break, it’s actually designed for that.
What I love less: I don’t really have much to say here either.
Price: $45/class, Intro pass at $119 for 5 classes.
Neighbourhood: Financial District/Union (they also have other studios across the city and even outside it)
LSDR
Okay, this one’s a bit of a different category, we’re more in mega-reformer territory here, but I wanted to include it anyway. I tried the Summerhill studio recently for an event. I was a bit skeptical, and I loved it! The concept is really different. You wear headphones to hear the music and the instructor’s cues, which really helps you stay in your own bubble and focus on your practice if you’re the type to get distracted by your neighbour. I was worried it would bother me on my head, but not at all.
If you’re a die-hard fan of classic Reformer, it could be fun to switch up your routine and give this a try.
What I love: the space is absolutely gorgeous. It makes you want to work out. I rarely feel sore after a Reformer Pilates class, but the next day, I could feel exactly which muscles had worked. Which made me want to go back!
What I love less: it feels a bit more impersonal since everyone has their own headphones.
Price: $45/class, Intro pass at $109 for 2 weeks unlimited.
Neighbourhood: Summerhill and King West.
Reset TO
This studio is brand new, located by the lake, east of Yonge Street. The space is really beautiful, well designed for people who like to move in a nice setting. But it’s not just a Pilates studio, it’s also a massage spa, with a sauna, cold plunge, and other options. One address, several services, pretty convenient.
What I love: being close to the lake, nice for a walk before or after.
What I love less: I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something about my experience there felt a bit off. I went for an event where I was invited along with other creators. I think I should try again with a regular class to get a clearer opinion.
Price: I couldn’t find the price for a single class on their site. Intro pass: not available on their website either.
Neighbourhood: Waterfront East side
I hope my review of these Reformer Pilates studios in Toronto helps you choose the next one to add to your list. I still have plenty more I want to try, so this list is just a starting point and will keep evolving along with my practice. If you have a studio you particularly love, send me a message on Instagram or leave a comment to share it with me.
Happy sweating!
