Customer Reviews

Stamina Pilates Premier XP Reformer

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have over 7,000 hours of experience teaching on studio quality, spring-loaded Pilates equipment. In the last years that I taught professionally, I cut down my insane teaching schedule by teaching group classes on these machines.

They are safer than spring-loaded reformers because of the bungee cords--springs snap back. Bungee cords will move, but not with the kind of propulsive, really dramatic force you see in springs. Over and over again, I watched students do things on these reformers that would have injured them on spring-loaded equipment.

In my own practice, lack of attention has caused a moment or two of real danger; the worst thing that happened was a flying bungee cord cutting the upholstery.

Safety aside, these provide enough resistance for a really good workout. They are big enough that anyone under 6'2" can do all of the exercises, with the exception of the Semi-Circle, which is a more intermediate exercise anyway. Students with knee and hip injuries reported that they were more comfortable on these machines, possibly because the bungee cords provide less resistance.

Also, these reformers do what reformers were designed to do: in two hour-long workouts a week, these machines increased flexibility, improved back pain and dramatically changed the shape of bodies, just like studio quality equipment would. (Yes, Virginia, there is a way to get rid of saddlebags without lipo.)

Finally, unlike some other pieces of non-studio quality equipment, I can unequivocally recommend these for even very fit men. The runners, bikers and hunters in my classes really found the machine workouts challenging.

Cons: I have never been able to get replacement parts. You will need two people or one man over six feet to move each machine. Attempt to fold them up again at your own peril. Lock them away from children, or vice versa--even bungee cords can cut.

A little larger and heavier than I expected, but a solid home Pilates reformer. As someone who has been taking classes in a Pilates studio with professional-grade reformers, this comes as close as possible -- and for about 10% of the price of a studio-quality reformer.

It's versatile, easy to use (once you figure out the sparse instructions on how to set it up) and the cords provide some serious resistance and a good, thorough workout.

The one complaint I have is that the wheels don't seem to be in the proper position to actually function. Then again, if the manual weren't so minimalist, I might have been able to figure out what, if anything, I'm doing wrong.

This reformer is good as a home reformer. It is easy to use and setup is easy. However, it is not a professional reformer. It is somewhat shorter than a professional one. It lacks a few features like an adjustable footbar. I had to purchase optional accessories like a stand, box, rebounder and pole. These cost a few hundred dollars, all together. It would be more cost effective to get one with a stand and rebounder. If you are tall or long legged, you will sometimes feel cramped using this one.

I purchased the Stamina Pilater Premier about 6 months ago and decided to return to Amazon and offer my review of the product since I rely on Amazon Review when gathering information for a new purchase.

I use the Pilates frequently and think is it an excellent product. This is my first experience with Stamina and I find the quality of their product excellent. It is well made, heavy enough to be stable during exercising, and has all the bells and whistles needed for a good workout. The Owner's Manual is easy to follow and they include an exercise guide that I have found very useful.

Stamina (made in China) has given thought to the 'to be used in the home' aspect as the machine is large enough and not too large for use in the bedroom and storage under the bed at night. My only difficulty, which has been solved, is it stands on 4 rubber feet that do not slide easly across the carpet. I purchased a set of 'furniture movers' for about $10 and placed 1 under each foot which results in rubber on rubber plus a smooth plastic suface to allow the pilates to slide easily across the carpet when moving it.

I give a top rating to this product without hesitation.

I have to say, I am very pleased with this equipment. I read the reviews on Amazon, which really helped me to decide which machine to choose. I have been taking pilates off and on for over 5 years, and very consistently in this last year. This reformer really is a great representative of the machines in the private pilates gyms. The tension is fantastic, and I was worried it wouldn't be enough. It was pretty easy to put together (my husband did it, but it took him 20 minutes) and it's really not to hard to roll out and use. Admittedly, I do not fold it up, because it is heavy, but I can roll it out myself. I LOVE having this reformer! I was taking private class 3 times a week, and I loved how I looked, but now I can keep that up myself and save a TON of money (those classes are not cheap). I am glad I did have professional training, though, because I really know what to do by myself now, and with the help of the included chart. This is a great buy.

High quality, good looking and has smooth operation. It also comes with an excellent dvd workout with an instructor who is pleasant and clear in how to do all the exercises correctly. It is very easy to assemble as it is almost complete right out of the box, just unfold and add the wooden end caps. I'm new to pilates, but so far after three weeks I am still enjoying myself and getting stronger. It takes up kind of a lot of room on the floor but I recently discovered that I can stand it up on its end against the wall when I'm not using it and it takes up no space at all. One thing I will mention is that I purchased this model because it was inexpensive and I wasn't sure how much I would like pilates. This is an excellent machine, but this company also makes some models with raised legs and a raised bar for the pulleys. In doing the exercises I have really noticed that there is some limited range of motion in some moves because everything is so low to the floor. If you are serious about pilates and can afford the expense and floorspace, I would recommend the larger, raised model that Stamina makes and is featured in the dvd. This seems like something I will get years of use out of, I'm really pleased with my purchase.

As a physical therapist, I can vouch for the sturdiness and smooth, versatile function of this machine. I recommend it to all of my clients if they have the space. As I said, sturdy and well made. My other machine is the Pilates Reformer. A+

great product, I have had for 3 weeks and am using it almost everyday. Comes with level 1 video- half hour workout which is challenging. 4 resistance cords provide a good variation for the different exercises. My husband put it together and found it fairly easy to do. It is heavy so does stay in one place in our guest room. It is nice looking with wood accents, so I wouldn't even mind if it had to be in the tv room. overall I am enjoying it very much. I had taken mat pilates classes before, but never on a reformer. The video is very clear and teaches different exercises and I can see improvement already in my muscle tone. I am going to order the level 2 workout from amazon.

LOVE IT!!!I am so happy with this product. We were dissapointed that we did not have the space for a regular reformer but this is a really great alternative. We have had it for two weeks and I already see results and it is really fun! The only problem I have had so far is the cords come un-wrapped when I am doing the leg exercises. Then I go to use them for my arms and they pull all the way through. So now I just double check it and it is no big deal. Awesome product!

I am very happy with this pilates reformer and it is a great value for the money. I have been taking pilates classes with the very expensive spring reformers.
I decided to order this because I wanted to do pilates more often and am very pleased with the bungee cords; and in fact, prefer this workout to the springs. The one downside is that when I am laying down on the platform doing leg exercises, I cannot do them as well on this reformer because the cords will rub against my neck if I try to pull my legs straight down. However, I find that a minor inconvenience.