Reformer Pilates Towel: what it is and why you need one

A reformer Pilates towel is an accessory specifically designed to cover the carriage and footbar of the reformer machine, offering grip, hygiene, and comfort during practice. If you've ever wondered if you really need one, or if a conventional gym towel can substitute it, the answer is clear: they are not the same, and you'll notice the difference in the very first session.

What's special about a reformer Pilates towel?

The reformer is a Pilates machine with a sliding carriage on rails, straps, springs, and a fixed footbar. During exercise, the body rests, slides, and pushes off various surfaces. A conventional towel moves, wrinkles, and, at the worst possible moment, can make you lose your balance or interrupt the flow of movement.

Towels specifically designed for reformer Pilates incorporate materials and dimensions conceived for this machine. In our experience accompanying clients starting reformer in Spain, one of the most common mistakes in the first few months is underestimating this accessory. Many practice with a beach or hand towel and don't understand why they feel unstable or why the towel ends up on the floor in the middle of class.

Key features a reformer towel should have

• Non-slip surface: The side that contacts the reformer carriage must have non-slip properties, usually through special microfiber technology or silicone on the base. This prevents the towel from shifting during more dynamic exercises.
• Adapted dimensions: A standard reformer carriage measures approximately 60 x 90 cm. A well-designed reformer Pilates towel covers this surface snugly, without excess fabric bunching at the edges.
• High sweat absorption: The upper side must quickly absorb moisture to maintain grip and hygiene, especially during intense or long sessions.
• Quick-drying: Allows frequent washing and reuse of the towel without taking days to dry. Important if you attend class several times a week.
• Machine washable: Essential for maintaining hygiene. A towel that cannot withstand frequent washes at 30-40°C loses its utility in a few weeks.
• Lightweight and easy to transport: It should fit in any Pilates bag without adding unnecessary bulk or weight.

Are reformer towels and non-slip Pilates towels the same?

Not exactly. The term non-slip Pilates towel encompasses various types of towels used in different practice contexts: on the mat, on the reformer's fixed footbar, on the headrest, or on the carriage. The reformer Pilates towel specifically refers to the one used on the sliding carriage, which is the most active component of the machine and requires the most stability.

This is a nuance that matters when buying: if you're looking for a towel for the reformer carriage, make sure the measurements and the non-slip system are designed for that surface, not for a floor mat.

Why are Pilates studios in Spain starting to request them?

Over the last two years, more and more reformer Pilates studios in Spain—especially in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and other cities where the practice has grown significantly—have started recommending or even requiring their students to bring their own reformer towels. The reasons are two: hygiene and safety.

From a hygienic point of view, sharing the same machine surface between students without a fabric barrier poses a real risk, especially in consecutive classes with little cleaning time between sessions. From a safety perspective, a towel that doesn't move keeps the body in the correct position during exercises like footwork, short spine, or elephant, where an unstable surface can compromise body alignment.

Quick comparison: reformer towel vs. conventional towel

When is it essential to bring one?

• If your studio does not include washing covers between classes.
• If you practice reformer Pilates more than twice a week.
• If you tend to sweat a lot during the session.
• If you perform exercises barefoot directly on the carriage.
• If you are in a period of increased awareness about shared hygiene.

What makes the difference in real practice

We have received testimonials from many students who started without a reformer towel and who, upon incorporating it, described the difference as "feeling like the machine is yours." It's no exaggeration: when the surface beneath your body doesn't move, you can concentrate on the movement, breathing, and muscle activation. The towel disappears from your mind because it doesn't cause problems. That's exactly the goal.

At Bellman Pilates, we developed our towels with this detail in mind: that you never have to interrupt your flow of movement because of an accessory. Because reformer Pilates is transformative when nothing distracts you from it.

If you want to explore our selection of non-slip reformer Pilates towels, designed to adapt to the standard carriage and accompany you in every session, you can see them here. No obligations, just so you can find the one that fits you.