GoKawiilAs CNET’s fitness writer, I’ve tried many workout machines and classes, but one has always intimidated me: reformer Pilates. I’ve dabbled in reformer Pilates classes in the past, and each time, it feels like a brand-new experience when I hop on the carriage. However, I’ve always believed that just because something is hard doesn’t mean I can’t do it.
When I learned that NordicTrack launched its own smart reformer, I knew I had to try it. The Ultra 1 Reformer is meant for home use, giving you the reformer Pilates experience in the privacy of your living room without the fear of face-planting in a room full of people.
I was invited by the brand to demo its newest machine during a 30-minute class and was impressed from the start by its design and features. These are my thoughts on NordicTrack’s newest reformer machine and whether I recommend buying one.
NordicTrack’s Ultra 1 Reformer is stunning
The NordicTrack Ultra 1 Reformer was designed with safety in mind and to blend in with your home. Nasha Addarich Martinez/CNET
The first thing you’ll notice about the Ultra 1 Reformer is its sleek aesthetic. You can tell its designers thought it through, considering what would make a Pilates reformer machine look less like an eyesore in your living room, while still making it a functional piece of exercise equipment. But at $5,000, it’s not cheap; it’s an investment best suited for people who’ll use it often.
This machine is on the larger side, measuring 111.3x30.6x33.7 inches, make sure you have the room to hold it and space around it if you also plan to do floor exercises. The front of the carriage includes a 24-inch HD touchscreen that pivots and rotates for convenient use when you're doing other floor workouts alongside the Ultra 1.
The machine itself is all black with a light wood finish on the trim and on the end of the carriage, giving it a sophisticated look. It also doesn’t have exposed manual springs to adjust the resistance. Instead, the Ultra 1 has enclosed springs that electronically change when one of its three buttons is pushed down. The buttons are different colors: red, blue and green, and each one corresponds to a different resistance level, ranging from 22 to 99 pounds.
Like traditional reformers, the Ultra 1 has footbars that you can adjust based on the exercise you’re doing. There are also straps on each side, attached to a pulley, for your hands and feet.
How to access NordicTrack’s Pilates classes
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