The short answer
Choose wood if the reformer lives in your home and you want it to look like furniture. Choose aluminum if it will be moved often, used many hours a day, or kept somewhere humid. The exercises, spring work and carriage travel are the same on both.
Look and feel
Wood frames — maple, oak, beech or walnut-tone solid wood — bring warmth to a living room or a boutique studio. Each frame has its own grain, and a lacquered finish keeps it easy to wipe down. Aluminum frames look technical and clean; they come in silver, black or white finishes, often paired with wood trim.
Underneath, the carriage rides on wheels along the rails in both cases. What you feel during a session depends far more on the springs, the carriage wheels and the upholstery than on the frame material.
Side by side
| Wood frame | Aluminum frame | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Homes and boutique studios | Busy studios, frequent moving |
| Look | Warm grain, furniture-like | Clean, technical |
| Humidity | Keep at stable indoor humidity | Not affected |
| Dents and knocks | Can mark if hit hard | More resistant |
| Folding options | Tip-up frames that stand on end | Frames that fold in half |
| Care | Damp cloth, no harsh cleaners | Wipe rails and frame |
Care and noise
- Wood: wipe with a damp cloth, keep out of direct sun and away from heaters and radiators, and avoid solvent-based cleaners.
- Aluminum: wipe the rails regularly so grit does not build up under the wheels.
- Both: check springs, ropes and straps monthly for fraying, rust or gaps between coils, and replace them when they show wear.
- A quiet carriage comes from clean rails and good wheels on either frame. If yours starts to rattle, clean the rails first.
Space and moving
Most full-size reformers in our range are about 7½ to 8 feet long whatever the frame. If you need to put the reformer away, look at folding models: our wood folding frames tip up and stand on end, and the compact aluminum frame folds in half. Product pages list the dimensions we have confirmed.
Which to pick
If it lives in your home and you want a warmer look, start with our wood reformers. If it is for a busy studio, or you will move it often, aluminum reformers are easier to live with. Short on space? See foldable reformers.
Still deciding? Send us a message with your room size and how you plan to use it, and we will suggest a model.
