In short: a second-hand reformer is cheaper and often available now, but it comes with worn parts, little or no warranty and no choice of colour or logo. For a studio that will use the machines every day, new machines with a long frame warranty usually cost less over their life. A used machine makes sense to start small or to fill a gap quickly.
Second-hand or new: the trade-offs
| Second-hand | New (our machines) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lower, varies a lot | £874.17 to £1,082.50 per machine ex VAT |
| Availability | Often immediate | About three months, built to order |
| Warranty | Usually none or short | 10 years frame, 3 years springs, 1 year other parts |
| Wear | Springs, ropes, straps and upholstery already used | New |
| Matching machines | Hard to find several identical ones | Identical, in your colour |
| Your logo | No | Free from one machine |
| Collection | You collect, often across the country | Delivered to the kerb, import duty paid |
How to inspect a used reformer
- Springs: no rust, no stretched coils, every spring the same length at rest.
- Ropes and straps: no fraying; ask what they cost to replace.
- Carriage: runs smoothly and quietly along the whole rail, with no play.
- Frame: no cracks, bends or loose joints; check the hinge if it folds.
- Upholstery: no tears or flattened padding.
- History: how many classes a week it was used for, and whether any warranty transfers.
- Dimensions: does it fit your layout? Compare with our dimensions guide.
How to choose
Buy used if you are testing demand with one or two machines, or need a machine before a built-to-order one can arrive. Buy new if the machines will be used every day, if you want a matching fleet with your logo, or if your insurer asks for documentation. The price side is covered in our guide to what a reformer costs, and the alternatives to buying in lease, hire or buy.
Questions studio owners ask
Is it worth buying a second-hand reformer for a studio?
For one or two machines to start, or to fill a gap fast, it can be. For daily studio use, new machines with a long frame warranty and identical parts are usually cheaper over their life.
What should I check on a used reformer?
The springs, ropes and straps, the carriage movement along the whole rail, the frame and hinge, the upholstery, the usage history and whether any warranty transfers.