You've seen it on Instagram. You've seen it on TikTok. Machines with springs, straps and sliding platforms — and people who look like they're floating across them. Reformer Pilates isn't just a trend. It's the fastest-growing form of training in the world right now.
And it isn't only happening in Los Angeles and London. New Reformer studios open in Copenhagen every month. They're popping up in Aarhus. Even in smaller towns, demand is starting to grow. The question isn't whether Reformer Pilates is here to stay — it's whether you're ready to jump in.
The numbers speak for themselves
Pilates was the most-booked form of training globally in 2023, 2024 and 2025 — according to ClassPass's annual data. In 2025, bookings rose 66% compared with the year before. Reformer Pilates specifically grew 71%.
The global Pilates market was valued at DKK 176 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach DKK 421 billion in 2032. That's an annual growth rate of 11.5%.
77% of Pilates studios report growth. 67% regularly sell out their classes.
In fitness trend rankings, Reformer Pilates climbed from 10th place in 2024 to 2nd place in 2025. This isn't a bubble — it's a fundamental shift in what people want from their training.
Why is it exploding right now?
There isn't one single explanation. It's a perfect convergence of several factors.
1. The social media effect
TikTok has over a million videos featuring Reformer Pilates. The "Pilates Princess" trend has turned the Reformer into a lifestyle symbol — particularly for women in their 20s and 30s. When a trend lives on social media, people search for studios in real life.
2. The celebrity effect
Jennifer Aniston, Lady Gaga, David Beckham, LeBron James — the list of celebrities doing Reformer Pilates is long. And it rubs off. People want to try what they see their idols doing.
3. The mind-body trend
More and more people are looking for training that combines physical strength with mental calm. Reformer Pilates hits exactly that sweet spot — controlled movements, focus on the breath, and a sense of having done something good for the whole body.
4. The premium experience
Reformer Pilates feels exclusive. Small classes, specialised equipment, personal attention from the instructor. It's boutique fitness in its purest form — and people are willing to pay for it.
What does it cost to start a Reformer studio?
Let's be honest: Reformer Pilates demands a bigger investment than a mat-based yoga studio. But the return is also markedly higher.
Reformer machines
- Budget/entry-level: DKK 15,000-25,000 per machine. Fine for getting started, but wear sets in faster.
- Commercial quality: DKK 25,000-42,000 per machine. What most studios choose.
- Premium (Balanced Body, BASI): Up to DKK 45,000 per machine. A lifespan of 10-20 years.
Total start-up budget
Three scenarios for a Danish Reformer studio
Small (5-6 Reformers): Equipment DKK 125,000-250,000 + premises, fit-out, certification = DKK 350,000-500,000 total
Mid-sized (8-10 Reformers): Equipment DKK 200,000-420,000 + premises, fit-out, certification = DKK 500,000-800,000 total
Premium (10-12 Reformers + supplementary equipment): DKK 800,000-1.4 million total
A single Reformer takes up roughly 2.5 x 0.7 metres. In a 100 sqm room, you can place 10-12 machines with safe spacing. That's surprisingly little space for the revenue it can generate.
A tip: leasing equipment can lower your start-up cost considerably. Several suppliers offer leasing agreements that spread the investment over 3-5 years.
What do Danish studios charge for a class?
Reformer Pilates is a premium service — and the prices reflect it. Here's what Danish studios are charging right now.
| Studio | Group class | Class pass | Membership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio 41 (CPH) | DKK 375 | DKK 3,250 / 10 classes | — |
| Fusion Reformer (CPH) | DKK 165 (per class) | DKK 1,650 / 10 classes | DKK 499-699/month |
| YO Studios (CPH/Aarhus) | — | — | From DKK 449/month |
| Rama Reformer Club (CPH) | Max 6 people | — | — |
Compare that with a typical yoga class at DKK 100-150. Reformer Pilates lets you charge 2-3 times as much per participant — with fewer participants per class.
The business model: more revenue per square metre
This is where it gets interesting for you as a studio owner.
A Reformer instructor hour generates on average nearly twice the revenue of a mat class. International figures show roughly DKK 245 per instructor hour for Reformer versus DKK 125 for mat-based classes.
Worked example: 8 Reformers, 5 classes a day
Price per class: DKK 200 (class pass price)
Participants per class: 8
Classes per day: 5 (Monday-Friday)
80% occupancy: 6.4 participants on average
Daily revenue: 6.4 × 200 × 5 = DKK 6,400
Monthly revenue (22 days): DKK 140,800
Subtract instructor pay (30-40%), rent and operating costs, and a well-run studio can deliver a profit of 15-25%.
Well-run Reformer studios hit break-even within 12-18 months. That's faster than many other studio types — simply because the price per participant is higher.
Instructor training in Denmark
You can't just put people on a Reformer and hope for the best. Certified instructors are essential — both for safety and for the experience your customers expect.
The good news: there are several Danish providers.
| Provider | Hours | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modpol Pilates | 60 hours | DKK 15,000 | — |
| Pilates Aalborg | 35 hours | DKK 12,500 | Aalborg |
| SEIER | — | DKK 11,995 | Aarhus |
| BodyReformer | 56 hours | DKK 8,000 | — |
| BASI Pilates (Copenhagen Pilates Studio) | ~500 hours | Varies | Copenhagen |
The shorter trainings (35-60 hours) typically take a couple of months. BASI Pilates' full certification takes around a year with 500 hours of study, practice and exams. There's no legal requirement for certification in Denmark — but your customers expect it, and insurers often demand it.
Can you add Reformer to your existing studio?
You don't have to start from scratch. Many studio owners add Reformer Pilates as a supplement to their existing offer — yoga studio, dance school, physiotherapy clinic.
- Start small. 4-6 Reformers in a separate room or in part of your existing premises. That takes 15-20 sqm.
- Test demand. Run 2-3 classes a week as a trial. Are they selling out? Then you know there's a basis for scaling.
- Use your existing network. Your current yoga students are the obvious target group. They already know mind-body training and are curious about something new.
- Price correctly. Reformer Pilates is a premium service. Avoid pricing it too low just because your yoga classes cost less. Customers expect — and accept — a higher price.
A hybrid model where you offer both mat-based classes and Reformer Pilates gives you multiple revenue streams and appeals to a broader customer base.
5 things to consider before you invest
- The space. Do you have room? Reformers need fixed positions — you can't just shuffle them around like yoga mats. Also check that the floor can take the weight.
- Instructors. They are your product. Underinvesting in trained instructors is the fastest route to disappointed customers and bad reviews.
- Maintenance. Reformers have moving parts — springs, wheels, straps. Budget 5-10% of equipment value annually for maintenance and replacement.
- Insurance. Check your business insurance. Reformer Pilates typically carries higher requirements than mat-based classes because of the equipment.
- Scheduling. With small class sizes (5-8 participants) your schedule becomes critical. If you don't fill the classes, every empty spot costs you. A solid booking system with a waitlist isn't a luxury — it's essential.
The Danish market — still room for new entrants
Copenhagen already has 15+ Reformer studios: Studio 41, Fusion Reformer, Rama Reformer Club, YO Studios, CoreReformer, Reeform Pilates and more. In Aarhus, YO Studios and SEIER are among the best known.
But compared with the UK and the US, the Danish market is still young. In the UK, only 8% of Pilates practitioners have tried the Reformer — versus 60% in the US. That points to enormous growth potential, in Denmark too.
Pilates was the first class new users booked, and the most rebooked across every region — ClassPass 2025.
Outside the major cities, the field is almost empty. If you run a studio in Odense, Aalborg, Roskilde or a mid-sized town, you can be the first to offer Reformer Pilates in your area. That's a competitive advantage that won't last forever.
Class Booking supports Reformer Pilates studios
When class sizes are small and prices are high, every empty spot is lost revenue. You need a booking system that works for you — not against you.
- Class passes and memberships. Set different prices for Reformer and mat classes. Offer 10-class passes, monthly memberships or drop-in — whatever your customers prefer.
- Automatic waitlist. When a class is full, people move up automatically from the waitlist when someone cancels. No empty spots, no manual messages.
- SMS and email reminders. Cut no-shows with automatic reminders. With a class priced at DKK 200-375 per participant, every no-show has a real cost.
- Online booking. Your customers book from their phone — 24/7. You stop replying to messages about open spots.
- Stripe payment. Direct payment at booking. No cash, no invoicing, no missed payments.
Class Booking is built for studios and practitioners — with class passes, waitlist, Stripe and everything you need to run a professional Reformer studio.
Try Class Booking free for 14 days →
This article was last updated on 26 March 2026.