The metro-iq reformer of the equilibrium body brings Pilates into studio sessions with an elegant, foldable design.
All products in Athletetech News are selected independently by our editors. However, if you buy something via our retail links, we can earn a partner commission.
For many, the Pilates practice at home seemed to be unreachable due to price and space considerations. However, the foldable reformer of the balanced body is marketed as a slim, space -saving path to bring your practice home. Can a compact device really repeat the studio experience?
For years my efforts consisted of mat work and body weight stretching at home that were pressed on my floor. I had assumed that ownership of a reformer would need more space (and money) than I could justify it. Then I came across the Metro IQ Reformer of Balanced Body, a reformer specially designed for the house, with mechanics at the studio level and the ability to collapse for storage.
At $ 2.295, the Metro IQ is a premium investment. But with the Pilates class premium price, could the reformer be a good investment at home? Athleteech News tested the Metro -IQ over several months to evaluate its strengths, restrictions and the question of whether it is worth the price.
background
Balanced Body is one of the best-known names in Pilates equipment with a long history in which reformers are provided with professional studios. The U-Bahn-IQ was started as part of its efforts to reach the growing fitness market at home.
The U -Bahn -IQ has a telescope metal frame, a patented design with which it extends to a complete studio length during training (98 inches) and only collapses 62 inches for storage. It includes a soft but solid vinyl carriage, springs, a springboard and a rope system for the quieter, more smooth use. It is almost completely assembled and contains the choice between wheelbarrow or upright magic bikes, depending on your preferred memory method (under the bed or upright on a wall).
Balanced body metro iq reformer, 2,295 US dollars
Professionals
The space -saving design of the Metro IQ makes it ideal for apartments or common living rooms. With a quick publication of two side locks, it shortens for storage and can roll under a bed or stand in a closet, which eliminates the need for a special training room.
Once expanded, the Metro IQ provides a performance at the studio level with a smooth and quiet carriage ride. The eight-wheel track system does not create a noticeable resistance, and the signature springs (3 red, 1 blue, 1 yellow) offer a large selection of resistance options that correspond to what you would expect in a professional environment. It took a little time to learn the spring combinations, but it soon became a second nature.
Installation and operation are remarkably user -friendly. Most of the reformer arrives pre -assembled, while spring changes, rope adjustments and foot ironing modifications are intuitive enough even for beginners to master quickly.
Premium materials increase the entire experience. The hybrid padded foam and synthetic leather pads feel just as pleasant as the ones I used in Boutique courses, with a lot of padding and without seams on the track. The adjustable baseboard and the headrest enable an individual feeling depending on its size and practice. The ropes were a welcome upgrade from the metal clips to which I was used to adjusting quieter, softer and more intuitive, which gives the reformer a high-end feeling and a high-quality function that can be found in boutique studios. It is also a small victory, but so nice to be able to make barefoot Pilates and not need the hygienic flu socks.
In contrast to most reforms that sell accessories separately, the METRO-IQ contains a jumpboard that expands the training options, especially for those who enjoy cardio-oriented exercises. This encore increases the versatility of your home practice.
Access to the free online training library of the Balanced Body offers valuable resources with which new sequences can be researched and the right technology can be strengthened. This advantage helps to bridge the gap between studio lessons and home practice.
The METRO -IQ FSA/HSA -is entitled to those with flexible output controllers. Although this option is not insured, it can compensate for the costs for some users, which makes professional devices more accessible.
An unexpected advantage: I started casually all day. Sometimes I lay down for a route between calling or added a few leg presses while I was TV. It was quickly integrated into my daily routine.
Disadvantages
The METRO IQ has a limited compatibility of accessories and does not support the addition of a tower or legs that can limit the progress for advanced users who want to expand their practice over time.
The design adjustment is limited because the U -Bahn -Iq is only available in one color (black). This lack of options is in contrast to the wood models of the balanced body, which offer aesthetic flexibility in order to meet different domestic environments.
The guarantee coverage is also only 2 years, which is well offered below the 10-year guarantee for the company's wood reformers in the company's studio quality. With 2,295 US dollars, the U -Bahn -IQ is a serious financial commitment. The investment even becomes steeper when you consider that additional accessories such as Sitting Box and Foots -Foots -Trap must be included more separately than in the basic package.
Despite its premium positioning, the U-Bahn-IQ is missing digital programs. While Balanced Body offers free online training units, there is no screen or an app integration directly on the device, a potential disadvantage for those who are used to connected fitness experiences such as Peloton or Mirror.
The 85 pound weight of the reformer and the 96-inch extended length (although foldable on 61.5 inches) can still be challenges in very small living rooms despite its space-saving design compared to traditional reformers.
Overall, the Metro-IQ reformer successfully promises its promise to bring a Pilates experience in studio quality to the house, and this does so without needing a guest room or a permanent gym setup. For users who practice regularly and want the convenience of a reformer at home, this model stands up for its professional journey, premium materials and clever collapse.