Pilates Reformer Maintenance

If you own a pilates reformer at home, you surely understand the need to maintain its various parts. The pilates reformer is not a cheap piece of equipment and it consists of several different mechanisms and parts that need to be cleaned and replaced on a regular basis.

Whether you’re the new owner of a pilates reformer or you’re doing the research before buying one, here are the basics to ensure your reformer stays in good shape for years to come.

Clean Your Pilates Reformer on a Regular Basis

Just as with any workout equipment, it’s important to clean your pilates reformer on daily basis. After each use, wipe down all the metal frame parts with a wet, soapy cloth. You can also use baby wipes to do this if you prefer something with antibacterial properties. Remove and wash the cotton hand loops on the gentle cycle in your washing machine and wipe down the carriage tracks and wheels with a degreaser (any mild household degreaser will do). Don’t forget to wipe down the upholstery as well!

Keep Your Pilates Reformer Well-Oiled

Since there are many different moving parts to a reformer, it’s important that you keep your machine well-oiled, so it glides smoothly with each use. Apply a light oil to all metal-to-metal parts of the machine and use white Lithium grease to clean the wheels. This should be done every three months to keep your reformer in great condition.

Replace Reformer Parts as Needed

With natural wear and tear, you will need to replace the different parts of your pilates reformer to ensure the machine is safe for continual use. Wheels should be replaced every five years, reformer springs every 2-3 years and ropes every 5 years. If you notice these parts wearing down sooner than the suggested time frame, replace them as needed. If you have questions about replacement parts, contact your reformer manufacturer for additional details.

Clearly, the pilates reformer requires a great deal of maintenance to ensure that it is working properly and is safe to use. Following these maintenance tips will keep you safe during your workouts as well as extend the life of your reformer.

If you have questions about how to use your reformer or would like to try one out before purchasing it, please call the Sheppard Method Pilates studio to sign up for a class. This is the perfect way to become acquainted with the pilates reformer!