Pilates Reformer Towel Size: How to Choose the Right Measurements

When people talk about Pilates Reformer towels, the conversation is almost always about grip, material or washing. But there is an earlier question that decides whether any of that works: what size should a Pilates Reformer towel be? A towel that is too short leaves your head or feet on bare vinyl; one that is too narrow stops halfway across the sides; and one that is too big bunches, folds and ends up sliding. In this guide we explain how to measure your carriage, which proportions work and how to tell whether your towel is the right size.

Why towel size matters so much on the Reformer

In a Mat class, a towel only needs to cover the area where your body rests. On the Reformer, however, your working surface is the carriage: an upholstered platform that glides along rails, with a headrest at one end and shoulder blocks close by. During a session you move from lying on your back to lying on your front, kneeling, sitting or side-lying, and each position loads a different part of the upholstery.

If the towel doesn't cover that whole contact area, three things happen:

• Unprotected areas: any exposed part of the carriage takes sweat, creams and friction directly, which are the main causes of marks on the vinyl.
• Edges that lift: an edge that ends right where your shoulder or knee rests tends to fold over with every movement.
• Constant readjusting: having to fix the towel between exercises breaks the flow of the class and your focus.

If you want a refresher on what each part of the machine is called before you measure, have a look at our guide to the parts of the Pilates Reformer.

How to measure your Reformer carriage in two minutes

Not all Reformers are the same, so the best reference is your own machine (or the one at the studio where you train). All you need is a tape measure:

1. Carriage length: measure from the edge of the headrest to the end of the carriage upholstery closest to the footbar. If the headrest folds, measure it in the position you usually use.
2. Carriage width: measure the upholstery from side to side at its widest point, not including the frame.
3. Shoulder block gap: note the space between the shoulder blocks. The towel should either pass between them or sit in front of them without getting caught.
4. Platform area (optional): if your classes include standing or kneeling work on the fixed platform, note its width too.

With those two or three figures you can check whether a towel will fit, rather than relying on a product photo.

Which proportions work: length, width and thickness

As a rough guide, most studio Reformer carriages have upholstery around 55–65 cm wide, and the usable surface from the headrest to the end of the carriage is fairly long. That is why towels designed for the Reformer are long and relatively narrow — very different from a bath or gym towel. These are the criteria worth checking:

Length: covering the headrest and the full carriage

Ideally, the towel runs from the headrest to the end of the carriage in one piece. That way, when you lie on your back your head and pelvis rest on the same surface, and when you turn onto your front or kneel there are no patches of bare vinyl.

Width: equal to or slightly narrower than the upholstery

Width is where most mistakes happen. A towel wider than the carriage hangs over the sides, rubs against the rails or ropes and tends to shift. A noticeably narrower towel leaves the sides exposed exactly where your hands rest in many exercises. The most stable option is a width almost identical to the upholstery.

Thickness: thin and flat

On the Reformer the towel doesn't need to cushion you: the carriage is already padded. A thick towel changes your contact height, bunches more and holds more moisture. A thin, flat towel lets you feel the carriage better and dries faster. We go deeper into this when we talk about microfibre towels on the Reformer and their limits.

Common sizing mistakes

• Using a beach or bath towel: they are too wide and too thick; the edges fold over and they end up sliding on the vinyl.
• Folding a large towel to make it fit: two layers of fabric with no grip between them are two surfaces sliding over each other. The result is less stability, not more.
• Choosing a small sweat towel: it's fine for drying off, but it can't cover the carriage, so you end up moving it every time you change position.
• Looking only at size and not at grip: a perfectly sized towel without grip on both sides will still move. Size and grip work together.

That is exactly why size is only half the equation: the other half is making sure the towel stays put. We explain how in how to stop your towel moving on the Reformer.

How to check your towel is the right size

Lay the towel on the carriage and run this quick check before class starts:

• Lie on your back: your head and pelvis should rest on the towel, not on the vinyl.
• Run your hand along the sides: the edges shouldn't hang over or stop several centimetres short of the upholstery.
• Kneel facing the footbar: your knees should be on the towel.
• Move the carriage a couple of times: the towel shouldn't bunch up or touch the rails, ropes or springs.

If it passes all four, your towel is the right size for your Reformer. And if you're still unsure which type of towel to choose, our guide on which towel to use on the Pilates Reformer without slipping covers it in full.

The Bellman Pilates towel: made to fit the carriage

The Bellman Pilates Non-Slip Reformer Pilates Towel is designed specifically for the Reformer, with dimensions adapted to the standard carriage of the Reformers most commonly used in studios. It covers the contact area without hanging over the sides, it's thin, light and compact, and it folds down to fit in any gym bag.

Most importantly, the right size comes with 85% grip on both sides, so it stays fixed on the upholstery and you stay fixed on it — even when you sweat. It also protects the carriage vinyl and keeps its properties wash after wash (cold wash). Available in blue, pink and grey.

Discover the Bellman Pilates non-slip Pilates Reformer towel →