A 15-Year Instructor’s Honest Reformer Comparison: Balanced Body, Merrithew, and PersonalHour

By Sarah Shine, Pilates Instructor (since 2004)

My name is Sarah Shine, and I’ve been a Pilates instructor for 15 years. I opened my first studio in 2004, and like many studio owners at the time, I built my foundation on the reformers I trusted most back then. Over the years, my studio—and my expectations—evolved. I’ve now taught on and owned reformers from three major brands across three decades: Balanced Body, Merrithew, and most recently PersonalHour.

This is my honest, instructor-level comparison, written for studio owners and teachers who want real-world insight—not sales fluff.

My Journey With Each Brand

Balanced Body (Allegro) — The Early Years (2004)

I began my studio journey using the Balanced Body Allegro Reformer. At the time, it was one of the most recognizable machines in the industry and felt like the “safe” choice for a new studio.

What worked well

• Reliable and familiar to instructors
• Easy to introduce clients to Pilates
• Solid construction for group classes
  

What I outgrew

• As my teaching became more nuanced, I wanted smoother carriage travel and more refined feedback
• Limited flexibility for how I wanted to progress advanced clients

If you’re curious, this is the model I started with: Balanced Body Allegro Reformer (add official product link here).

Merrithew — A Step Forward (2020)

In 2020, I invested in a Merrithew reformer, looking for something that felt more refined and better aligned with evolving teaching styles.

What improved

• More polished feel compared to my early Allegro experience
• Good alignment and stability
• Widely accepted in teacher training environments

What still felt missing

• The carriage didn’t feel as fluid as I expected over time
• Adjustments and maintenance felt more technical than intuitive
• Customer communication felt more transactional than supportive

Merrithew was a step forward, but not the final answer for my studio.

Discovering PersonalHour (2025)

In 2025, I purchased my first PersonalHour reformer—and I can confidently say this was the most thoughtful and instructor-centered experience I’ve had.

Delivery & White-Glove Service (A Huge Win)

Let’s start with something most brands overlook: delivery.

PersonalHour offered free white-glove delivery, and it was genuinely smooth. The team coordinated everything, handled the equipment with care, and ensured placement was exactly right inside my studio. No stress. No scrambling for help.

Even better—when I needed to change my delivery date, Mark from the PersonalHour team stepped in and handled everything seamlessly. No back-and-forth. No frustration. Just calm, clear support when I needed it most.

Customer Service That Educates (Not Just Sells)

What truly sets PersonalHour apart is how their team communicates.

Every question I had—about springs, carriage feel, spacing, long-term use—was answered with education, not pressure. They didn’t rush me. They didn’t oversell. They explained why things were designed the way they were.

Mark, in particular, stood out. He was patient, responsive, and genuinely invested in making sure the reformer fit my studio and teaching style—not just the invoice.

The Reformer Itself: How It Feels to Teach On

Here’s the part that matters most to instructors:

The carriage is noticeably smoother than both my Balanced Body and Merrithew reformers. Transitions feel quiet, controlled, and precise—especially important for advanced clients and rehab-focused sessions.

• Movement feels intentional and fluid
• Client feedback is clearer and more responsive
• The machine supports progression without fighting the body

This is the first reformer I’ve owned where I feel the equipment truly disappears during teaching—and that’s the highest compliment I can give.

Final Comparison (Instructor-Level Take)

Why I’m Staying With PersonalHour

After 15 years of teaching and three major reformer investments, PersonalHour is the first brand that fully aligned with how I teach today—and how I plan to grow in the future.

From the smooth delivery and free white-glove service, to exceptional customer care, to a reformer that genuinely enhances movement quality, this experience has been different—in the best way.

If you’re a studio owner or instructor comparing options, my advice is simple:
 Look beyond the name recognition. Pay attention to how the brand supports you before and after the sale.

For me, that’s why PersonalHour became my choice in 2025.

— Sarah Shine

By Sarah Shine, Pilates Instructor (since 2004) My name is Sarah Shine, and I’ve been a Pilates instructor for 15 years. I opened my first studio in 2004, and like many studio owners at the time, I built my foundation on the reformers I trusted most back then. Over the years, my studio—and my expectations—evolved.…