What to wear to Pilates Reformer class

For a Pilates Reformer class, wear form-fitting, stretchy clothing that stays close to your body, think leggings, fitted shorts, and a snug top. Grip socks are recommended for most studios, and you'll want to leave shoes, loose layers, and jewellery at home.

Getting your outfit right makes a real difference, not just to how you look, but to how comfortable, confident, and focused you feel during the session. This guide covers everything: the best Reformer Pilates outfits, footwear, what to bring, and what to leave at home, whether you're heading to a studio for the very first time or building a home Reformer practice.

What Is Reformer Pilates?

A Pilates Reformer is a specialized machine designed to build strength, flexibility, and controlled movement. It uses a sliding carriage, adjustable springs, and a footbar to create resistance through a wide range of exercises, lying down, sitting, kneeling, and standing. Because you'll be moving in all of these positions on a moving carriage, the reformer clothes you choose really do matter.

What Should You Wear to a Pilates Reformer Class?

When putting together your reformer pilates outfit, keep these priorities in mind:

• Breathability: Pilates is a full-body workout that generates real heat. If your clothes don't breathe, you'll feel it.

• Stretch: You need the most flexible clothing for pilates you can find. It should move with your body, not against it.

• Moisture-wicking fabric: Keeps you dry and comfortable throughout.

• Secure fit: Nothing should ride up, shift, or get caught in the springs and straps.

• Flat or seamless seams: When you're lying on the carriage for extended periods, bulky seams cause real friction and discomfort. Seamless or flat-locked construction makes a noticeable difference.

Best Fabrics for Pilates Reformer Clothing

Avoid anything stiff or non-stretchy. If the fabric doesn't give easily when you pull it, it'll restrict your movement on the Reformer.

What Tops to Wear

A well-fitted top is a non-negotiable part of any good reformer pilates outfit. Here's what works:

• Fitted tank tops: The most popular choice. They allow full arm movement and keep you cool.

• Fitted long-sleeve tops: Great for cooler studios or mornings. Still form-fitting, still flexible.

• Moisture-wicking fabrics: Prevent sweat buildup during class. A good option if you run warm or your studio is heated.

What to avoid: loose, oversized tops. They bunch on the carriage, shift during movement, and can catch on the springs and straps.

Brands like Lululemon, Alo Yoga, and Sweaty Betty make excellent fitted tops for reformer pilates outfits with a good stretch, stays in place, and built to last through hundreds of sessions.

Sports Bra

A low-to-medium impact sports bra works best. You want something supportive but not so structured or underwired that it digs in when you're lying on the carriage or stretching deeply. Seamless or minimal-seam styles are strongly recommended, because a thick seam across your back will press against the carriage and can get uncomfortable fast.

What Bottoms to Wear

Choose bottoms that provide support, stretch, and comfort.. Here's the best options:

High-waisted leggings: The most popular choice by far. They stay in place, provide full coverage in every position (including lying down with legs raised), and the waistband doesn't roll during carriage work.

Bike shorts: One of the most recommended reformer clothes in recent years. They're form-fitting, don't move around, allow full range of motion, and work great for warmer sessions or heated classes.

Capri leggings: A great middle ground between full-length leggings and shorts.

Can you wear shorts to reformer pilates?: Yes, but they need to fit snugly. Fitted shorts work well in warmer conditions. Very short styles tend to ride up and require too much adjusting mid-class.

What to avoid: baggy sweatpants or any loose reformer clothes. They're bulky on the carriage, hide your leg alignment from your instructor, and are more likely to get snagged in the equipment.

Underwear

It's a small detail, but worth mentioning. Seamed or bulky underwear under fitted leggings can cause friction and discomfort during the lying-down positions that come up a lot in reformer pilates. Seamless, moisture-wicking underwear is the most comfortable choice. Thong-style or seamless boy-shorts both work well under pilates leggings.

What Men Should Wear to Reformer Pilates

Most reformer pilates outfit guides are aimed at women, but men are a growing part of the Reformer community and the same rules apply. Here's the quick version:

• Tops: A slim-fit, moisture-wicking training top. Avoid anything too loose that bunches when lying down.

• Bottoms: Fitted training pants or compression tights. Fitted athletic shorts with a snug cut also work well for warmer sessions.

• Socks: Grip socks, same as everyone else. Most studios expect them from all practitioners.

Gymshark and Lululemon both offer men's activewear that works perfectly as reformer clothes for a pilates session.

What Footwear Is Best for Pilates Reformer?

For reformer Pilates, you go either bare feet or wear grip socks, never shoes or trainers. The Reformer is specifically designed for bare feet, and most studios will ask you to remove footwear before stepping on the machine. Shoes limit your foot flexibility and reduce the body awareness that Pilates footwork is designed to build. 

If you need extra foot support, the best footwear for reformer Pilates are grip socks: they prevent slipping, meet studio hygiene requirements, and keep your feet warm.

What About Heated or Hot Pilates Classes?

Some studios offer heated Reformer Pilates sessions, and your reformer pilates outfit needs to adapt. In a heated class, you'll sweat much more, so lighter and more breathable is better.

For hot pilates, go for:

• A moisture-wicking tank top or fitted crop top

• Bike shorts or short leggings as your reformer clothes

• Grip socks with strong rubber grips, heat makes slipping more likely, so grip matters even more

• A small towel for wiping down the carriage and keeping your hands dry

The Best Hairstyle for Reformer Pilates

Hair that falls in your face or catches on equipment is a genuine distraction and the best hairstyle for reformer pilates keeps everything out of the way from start to finish.

What works:

• Low ponytail or low bun: The most popular choice. Keeps hair off your face and stays comfortable when you're lying on the carriage.

• Single or double braids: Secure, tangle-free, and don't get in the way.

• Headbands or clips: Great for shorter hair or managing flyaways mid-class.

What to avoid:

• High buns or topknots: They sit directly where your head rests on the carriage and get uncomfortable quickly.

Jewellery…Just Leave It at Home

Jewellery and reformer pilates don't mix well. Necklaces, bracelets, rings, and large earrings can all catch on springs, straps, and bars. Beyond being a safety hazard, jewellery can damage equipment and get ruined in the process. Simple stud earrings are generally fine, but everything else is better left at home when you're putting together your reformer pilates outfit.

What Not to Wear to Reformer Pilates

Here's the quick reference list of what to avoid:

• Loose, baggy tops: shift during movements, hide your alignment, can catch on equipment

• Clothes with zippers, buttons, or embellishments: can scratch the carriage or get snagged

• Overly short shorts: ride up constantly and require too much adjusting

• Thick socks or regular socks without grip: reduce your connection to the machine and increase slipping risk

• Underwired or heavily structured bras: uncomfortable during the lying-down positions that come up frequently

• Jewellery (other than small studs): safety risk and equipment hazard

Layering: Getting to and From Class

One thing people often don't think about when working out what to wear for reformer pilates class is the journey there and back.

The simplest approach: wear your full reformer pilates outfit and throw a light hoodie or athleisure set over the top. You'll be ready to start the moment you arrive, with no changing room required. For the journey home, keep a fresh top or hoodie in your bag, especially useful if you're heading somewhere else after class.

What to Expect in a Reformer Pilates Class

A reformer pilates class is led by a trained instructor and follows a clear structure. You'll work through a series of exercises to build strength, improve flexibility, and enhance your posture, using the Reformer's adjustable resistance throughout.

Most classes start with a warm-up to get your muscles ready, move through a main workout targeting different areas of the body, and finish with a cool-down to help you recover and improve mobility. Every class can be adapted to your level, you're never expected to keep up with more experienced practitioners.

Common Reformer Pilates Exercises

Here's a look at some of the exercises you'll encounter and why your reformer clothes need to keep up with all of them:

Accessories Worth Bringing

A Note on Studio-Specific Rules

Every studio has slightly different rules around reformer clothes and footwear for reformer pilates. Some require grip socks without exception. Others allow bare feet. Some have specific guidelines around jewellery, nail length, or clothing. 

Before your first class, check your studio's website or drop them a message, it's worth arriving fully prepared. If you're still finding your studio, searching for reformer pilates classes near me is a great place to start.

Building a Home Reformer Wardrobe

If you're researching reformer pilates and what to wear for a reformer pilates class, there's a good chance you're also starting to think about whether a home Reformer could be part of your future.

Here's something home Reformer owners consistently say: having the machine at home means they practice far more often than they ever did with studio-only attendance. And more frequent practice is what produces real, lasting results.

Building a small, well-chosen wardrobe of reformer clothes, two or three pairs of leggings or bike shorts, a couple of fitted tops, a good sports bra, and a few pairs of grip socks, is all you need for daily home practice. Investing in quality pieces from brands like Lululemon, Alo Yoga, Gymshark, Sweaty Betty, or Adanola means they'll perform well and last through hundreds of sessions.

The Golden Rule: Function Over Fashion

The single most important principle when putting together your reformer pilates outfit is this: function over fashion.

The Reformer demands precise, controlled movement and your clothing needs to move with you, stay in place, and let your instructor see what your body is doing. Form-fitting, breathable, flexible reformer clothes are all you need. Leave the loose layers, jewellery, and shoes for pilates reformer at the door.

The good news? The best clothes for reformer pilates are genuinely comfortable and look great. You don't need to spend a fortune, but choosing the right pieces will make every session feel better.

Other Pilates Reformer blogs you may enjoy reading

• How To Become A Pilates Reformer Instructor