I Tried NordicTrack’s $5,000 Smart Pilates Reformer and It Won Me Over

As CNET’s fitness writer, I’ve tried many workout machines and classes, but one has always intimidated me: reformer Pilates. I’ve dabbled in reformer Pilates classes in the past, and each time, it feels like a brand-new experience when I hop on the carriage. However, I’ve always believed that just because something is hard doesn’t mean I can’t do it.

When I learned that NordicTrack launched its own smart reformer, I knew I had to try it. The Ultra 1 Reformer is meant for home use, giving you the reformer Pilates experience in the privacy of your living room without the fear of face-planting in a room full of people.

I was invited by the brand to demo its newest machine during a 30-minute class and was impressed from the start by its design and features. These are my thoughts on NordicTrack’s newest reformer machine and whether I recommend buying one.

NordicTrack’s Ultra 1 Reformer is stunning

The first thing you’ll notice about the Ultra 1 Reformer is its sleek aesthetic. You can tell its designers thought it through, considering what would make a Pilates reformer machine look less like an eyesore in your living room, while still making it a functional piece of exercise equipment. But at $5,000, it’s not cheap; it’s an investment best suited for people who’ll use it often.

This machine is on the larger side, measuring 111.3x30.6x33.7 inches, make sure you have the room to hold it and space around it if you also plan to do floor exercises. The front of the carriage includes a 24-inch HD touchscreen that pivots and rotates for convenient use when you're doing other floor workouts alongside the Ultra 1.

The machine itself is all black with a light wood finish on the trim and on the end of the carriage, giving it a sophisticated look. It also doesn’t have exposed manual springs to adjust the resistance. Instead, the Ultra 1 has enclosed springs that electronically change when one of its three buttons is pushed down. The buttons are different colors: red, blue and green, and each one corresponds to a different resistance level, ranging from 22 to 99 pounds.

Like traditional reformers, the Ultra 1 has footbars that you can adjust based on the exercise you’re doing. There are also straps on each side, attached to a pulley, for your hands and feet.

How to access NordicTrack’s Pilates classes

You can use the machine without an iFit subscription, but if you want access to 200 Pilates classes and view your performance metrics on-screen during your workout. I recommend getting a iFit Pro membership ($39 a month).

An iFit membership also gives you access to 10,000 classes covering a variety of workouts. Plus, it allows you to create up to five additional profiles if you have family members interested in using the Ultra 1 or taking other iFit classes.

What it’s like working out on the Ultra 1 Reformer

The carriage glides smoothly and makes no noise, which is ideal if you're trying to keep noise to a minimum in your home.

NordicTrack designed this reformer with safety in mind. With the “smart spine” that keeps the springs enclosed within the track's spine, kids and pets are less likely to touch them and injure themselves. It also gives the machine a cleaner look.

It was easy to switch between the different resistance levels on this reformer. Since the machine doesn’t let you switch the resistance unless the carriage is flush with the front platform of the reformer, it also seemed safer than your average reformer because you aren’t at risk of falling through the front opening.

The machine sits lower to the ground at 30.6 inches, too, which is ideal if you’re new to reformer Pilates and are fearful of heights. I comfortably did several exercises, such as ab roll-ups, side splits, single-leg hip extensions and hip bridges, to get a feel for the machine.

With an iFit Pro membership, the Ultra 1’s screen displays biometrics from your real-time performance. These include watts (power output), stroke rate (cadence) and calories burned.

Is the NordicTrack Ultra 1 Reformer worth it?

I enjoyed experiencing the NordicTrack Ultra 1 Reformer firsthand, and if I had the space, I would own one. Yet, the price is steep, which I can see discouraging some window shoppers from adding it to their cart.

If you already invest in reformer Pilates class packages, you may find that owning your own smart reformer is a better investment. Keep in mind that you'll also want to sign up for the $35-per-month iFit subscription to access all the Pilates classes. Accessories -- such as a jumpboard, head support, box and reformer mat -- all cost extra, ranging from $70 to $250.

If you have an FSA or HSA account, you may also be eligible to use those funds toward your purchase.

One of the benefits of ordering an Ultra 1 Reformer is that the machine is fully assembled when it’s delivered to your home. All you have to do is lift the touchscreen and plug it in.

Ultimately, it comes down to whether reformer Pilates is your primary form of exercise and whether a $5,000 machine is in your budget. If you’re committed to this form of exercise, you’ll appreciate the features the Ultra 1 Reformer has to offer, and it doesn’t hurt that it looks like it can easily blend into your bedroom or living room.