1. Choose your format
- Group reformer: several machines, one instructor, the classic boutique model.
- Private and duet sessions: two to four machines, higher price per session.
- Hybrid: reformer classes plus mat, barre or yoga in the same room. Folding reformers make this possible without a second room.
Your class size decides the number of machines, and the number of machines decides the room.
2. Find the right room
Plan roughly 5 to 7 m² of floor per reformer, spacing included: about 44 m² for 6 machines, 80 m² for 12. The full table, with three layouts that work, is in our guide to how many reformers fit in your studio.
Before signing, check delivery access (reformers arrive crated at around 110 kg), the floor, the doors and the planning use. In England, studios usually fall under use class E; ask the local council, as rules differ in Scotland and Wales.
3. Budget the equipment
Reformers are the largest equipment cost. Our published prices, per machine and excluding VAT:
| Studio size | Price per machine, ex VAT | Total, ex VAT |
|---|---|---|
| 4 reformers | £999.17 | £3,996.68 |
| 6 reformers | £957.50 | £5,745.00 |
| 8 reformers | £957.50 | £7,660.00 |
| 12 reformers | £874.17 | £10,490.04 |
Delivered to mainland Great Britain with import duty paid, logo and colour included. See our studio reformer page for what each machine includes.
Then budget, with real quotes from local suppliers: fit-out (flooring, mirrors, lighting, sound), small equipment (mats, boxes, props), booking software, insurance, the music licence and launch marketing. The full studio equipment list goes item by item, and our guide to leasing or buying covers spreading the cost.
4. Work back from your opening date
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 16 weeks before | Room chosen and measured; layout drawn; number of machines decided. |
| 14 weeks before | Reformers ordered (deposit paid). Built-to-order machines need about three months. |
| 12 weeks before | Fit-out starts: flooring, mirrors, lighting, sound, reception. |
| 8 weeks before | Booking platform set up; prices and memberships decided; instructors recruited. |
| 6 weeks before | Founding memberships or pre-sale open; Instagram and local press. |
| 2 weeks before | Machines delivered and unpacked; instructor training on the equipment. |
| Opening week | Taster classes, then the full timetable. |
The longest item is the equipment. The opening date calculator on our home page tells you the date by which to pay the deposit for your opening month.
5. Instructors, insurance and music
- Instructors with a recognised reformer qualification. Your insurer will usually ask for it.
- Insurance: public liability and professional indemnity as a minimum. Insurers may ask about your equipment; we provide the manufacturer's certificates, warranty and user guide, and an independent pre-shipment inspection on request.
- Music: playing recorded music in classes generally needs a licence; in the UK this is TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS.
6. Price your classes and plan the payback
In October 2026, the public price lists of UK reformer studios we looked at charged roughly £20 to £45 per class, more in central London. Your own price depends on your area and your competition.
The payback calculator on our home page shows how many weeks of class fees your machines take to earn back, with your own figures.
Questions studio owners ask
How much does it cost to open a reformer Pilates studio?
It depends mostly on the room and the fit-out. For the reformers alone, our published prices give £5,745 ex VAT for 6 machines and £10,490.04 ex VAT for 12, delivered with import duty paid.
How many reformers do I need to open a studio?
Start from your class size: one machine per client in your largest class. The room then sets the maximum, at roughly 5 to 7 m² per reformer.
How long before opening should I order reformers?
Built-to-order machines need about three months from deposit to delivery. Order about 14 weeks before opening to keep two weeks for setting up.
Do I need planning permission for a Pilates studio?
In England, studios usually fall under use class E, which often avoids a change-of-use application, but check with your local council before signing a lease. Rules differ in Scotland and Wales.