I often get asked about the difference between Megaformer and Reformer Pilates, so I wanted to break it down.
People will come to me for feedback and tell me they’re doing Pilates but still feel sore, inflamed, or like nothing is really changing in their body. Most of the time, they’re consistent. They’re doing strength training during the week and Pilates two to three times a week. On paper, it sounds balanced, but they don’t feel good.
So I always follow up with one simple question: “What kind of Pilates are you doing?”
Almost every time, the answer is a Megaformer class.
That’s where the disconnect usually is. The machines look very similar, so it’s easy to assume Megaformer and Reformer Pilates are the same thing. But they’re not, and that difference matters more than people realize.
Why Megaformer Is Often Confused With Pilates
Megaformer machines look very similar to traditional Pilates Reformers. That’s why so many people assume they’re doing the same type of workout.
The key difference:
- Megaformer is designed for high-intensity, strength and cardio workouts. It’s based on time under tension and often includes standing or plank-based movements.
- Reformer Pilates is about controlled, low-impact movement focused on alignment, posture, and deep core engagement.
Even if the machines look alike, the way your body responds is very different. Many people think they’re doing “regular Pilates” when in reality, they’re doing a high-intensity strength workout.
What Megaformer Does
I want to be clear: Megaformer isn’t bad. I don’t dislike it. It’s simply different from traditional Pilates, and not something I personally practice.
Megaformer is the machine used in the Lagree Method, developed in the early 2000s by Sebastien Lagree through Lagree Fitness. While it was inspired by Pilates equipment, it was intentionally designed to create a much more intense training stimulus.
The Megaformer is heavier, more rigid, and built to keep your muscles under constant tension. Movements are slow, but the load is high, and your heart rate stays elevated for most of the class. That’s why studios like Solidcore are often described as strength-cardio workouts rather than Pilates studios.
How Megaformer differs from Pilates
Megaformer combines strength training and cardio conditioning. It’s effective for building endurance, muscle fatigue, and overall fitness. But it doesn’t follow the core principles of traditional Pilates, which focus on:
- alignment
- breath
- control
- mobility
- long-term joint and nervous system health
The key isn’t choosing one over the other; it’s understanding what you’re doing, so you can use it intentionally rather than accidentally overloading your body.
Here’s some Common Questions Answered:
- Is Megaformer considered Pilates? No. While it looks similar to a Reformer, it’s a high-intensity strength and cardio workout, not traditional Pilates.
- Can I do both Megaformer and Reformer Pilates? Yes. Megaformer works well for strength and conditioning, while Reformer Pilates supports alignment, core strength, and recovery.
- How often should I do Megaformer? Treat it like any high-intensity workout. If you’re already doing strength or cardio, don’t use it as your “Pilates day.”
What Reformer Pilates Does
Traditional Reformer Pilates focuses on posture, alignment, controlled strength, and deep core engagement.
The movements are slower and more intentional. Exercises are often done lying down, seated, or supported. Resistance typically comes from springs, which allow you to build strength without overwhelming your body.
Reformer Pilates isn’t meant to exhaust you. It’s designed to strengthen your body in a way that feels supportive, balanced, and sustainable over time.
Why People Feel Inflamed or “Bulky”
This is a pattern I see over and over again.
People come to me saying they feel inflamed, bulky, or frustrated because they’re “doing Pilates” and not seeing the results they expected.
When I look at their routine, they’re often doing Megaformer three times a week, combined with additional strength training and cardio. Then they tell me Megaformer is their Pilates day.
But Megaformer isn’t a Pilates day. It’s strength and cardio. If your entire week is built around high-intensity workouts, your body never really gets a break. Over time, that constant intensity can lead to inflammation, elevated stress, and the feeling that your body isn’t responding the way you want it to.
Matching Your Workout to Your Goals
If your goal is reduced stress, improved posture, and balanced strength, Reformer Pilates is the method that delivers. Megaformer works for building endurance and muscle, but won’t provide the restorative benefits of a traditional Pilates practice.
Understanding the distinction allows you to structure your routine intentionally: combine high-intensity sessions with Reformer work for strength, alignment, and recovery, rather than overloading your body unknowingly.
Different workouts create different results. When you know what each method does, you can mix and match intentionally getting the results you want without sacrificing recovery.