Do You Need a Towel for Reformer Pilates?
If you’re new to reformer Pilates — or even if you’ve been going for a while — you may have asked yourself: do I need to bring a towel to reformer Pilates? The short answer is: yes, in most cases a towel is strongly recommended, and often expected. Reformer Pilates involves shared equipment, close body contact with the carriage and straps, and more sweat than many people anticipate.
In this guide, we’ll explain why a towel is important for reformer Pilates, how sweaty classes really get, and what type of towel works best — especially if you want something compact, hygienic and high‑performance.
Is a Towel Necessary for Reformer Pilates?
While every studio has its own policies, many Australian reformer Pilates studios:
Recommend bringing your own towel
Require a towel for hygiene reasons
Offer towel hire (often for an extra fee)
A towel isn’t just a nice‑to‑have — it plays an important role in hygiene, comfort and performance during your class.
Hygiene and Shared Equipment.
Reformer Pilates machines are used by multiple people throughout the day. Even with regular cleaning, placing a personal towel between you and the equipment helps reduce direct contact with sweat and bacteria.
Using your own towel can help:
Create a clean barrier on the carriage, box or headrest
Reduce the spread of sweat and bacteria
Improve peace of mind in busy studios
This is especially relevant in warm studios or high‑intensity reformer classes, where perspiration builds quickly.
How Sweaty Do You Get During Reformer Pilates?
Many people are surprised by how sweaty reformer Pilates can be. Despite the controlled movements, reformer Pilates:
Engages large muscle groups
Builds heat through slow, sustained resistance
Often includes core‑intensive sequences that elevate heart rate
Even if you don’t leave drenched, hands, feet, back and shoulders commonly sweat, which can affect grip and comfort on the machine.
That’s where the right towel makes a real difference.
What Kind of Towel Is Best for Reformer Pilates?
| What to Look For | What to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Compact, reformer-friendly size – covers key contact points without bunching | Oversized bath towels that slip, fold or get in the way |
| Lightweight and portable – easy to carry to class | Thick, heavy cotton towels that feel bulky |
| Highly absorbent fabric – manages sweat on hands, feet and back | Low-absorbency towels that become slick when damp |
| Quick-drying material – won’t stay wet in your bag | Slow-drying towels that stay damp for hours |
| Textured or grippy surface – improves stability on the carriage and box | Smooth towels that slide on reformer equipment |
| Easy to wash and reuse – ideal for regular studio training | Towels that hold odours or need long drying times |
|
What to Look For
Compact, reformer-friendly size – covers key contact points without bunching
Lightweight and portable – easy to carry to class
Highly absorbent fabric – manages sweat on hands, feet and back
Quick-drying material – won’t stay wet in your bag
Textured or grippy surface – improves stability on the carriage and box
Easy to wash and reuse – ideal for regular studio training
What to Avoid
Oversized bath towels that slip, fold or get in the way
Thick, heavy cotton towels that feel bulky
Low-absorbency towels that become slick when damp
Slow-drying towels that stay damp for hours
Smooth towels that slide on reformer equipment
Towels that hold odours or need long drying times
|
|