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This Compact (and Very Legit) Reformer Turns My Living Room Into a Pilates Studio
Balanced Body's Metro IQ Reformer is just like the machines at my favorite Pilates studio—except this one telescopes into a compact size for vertical and horizontal storage.
I started taking reformer Pilates classes a year and a half ago, at the recommendation of my physical therapist—I was recovering from a back injury at the time, and was in need of some serious deep-core strengthening. While I initially rolled my eyes—I'm a runner! A lifter! Pilates is boring!—I quickly became Joseph Pilates' newest fan thanks to the group reformer classes at my local studio (shoutout to East River Pilates, home of one of your fave W+G online instructors, Brian Spencer). I started taking classes several times a week, eventually moved up to advanced classes, and even introduced mat Pilates classes into my home workout routine. So, when I got the opportunity to bring a Balanced Body Metro IQ reformer into my apartment, I jumped at the chance.
The Metro IQ reformer is similar to the Balanced Body Allegro machines I've used in studio classes, with one very important, apartment-friendly twist: the frame is telescopic, so you can make the reformer smaller and stow it away. Yep, really! The Metro IQ comes with either "library wheels" or "wheelbarrow wheels," so you can easily hoist the machine upright and slide it into a closet (with the former) or slip it under your bed (with the latter). Best of all, while the price is still a decent chunk of change, the Metro IQ costs significantly less than other home reformers.
If you're interested in taking reformer Pilates classes from the comfort of your home, read on for my full review of the Balanced Body Metro IQ. Keep scrolling for the pros, cons, and who, after trying it myself for a few weeks, I think this machine is a good fit for.
About the Balanced Body Metro IQ Reformer
If you've ever taken a reformer Pilates class on a Balanced Body machine, you'll find the Metro IQ very familiar. It uses the brand's five-spring system (which includes three red, one blue, and one yellow spring) to offer 46 resistance options, and has a comfortable, padded carriage with removable shoulder blocks. Below, I'll break down the different sections of the machine so you can get a closer look.
Carriage
The upholstered vinyl carriage features the same padding as Balanced Body's reformers, so it's pretty comfortable on the ol' spine. It also has an easily-adjustable, three-position headrest for comfort and cervical support during supine and side-lying movements.
Shoulder blocks
The Metro IQ comes with two padded shoulder blocks that, unlike the Allegro 2 reformer I'm used to at my studio, are slightly curved. They attach to the reformer via a knob and can be used in two different positions to accommodate smaller and larger torsos. You can also attach them to the bottom of the reformer during storage (although you'll need to have the upright storage wheels to make this easy—more on that below).
Tracks and frame
The Metro IQ uses an 8-wheel system that is as smooth (and quiet!) as any studio reformer I've used—seriously, the first time I extended the carriage, I let out an "oooooh!" of approval.
Similarly, the telescopic frame lived up to the hype. It's easy to extend (although the first few times it was a bit stiff and required a little more elbow grease than anticipated—don't worry, it gets easier!) and the entire frame lengthens for use to 98 inches (249cm), and shortens to 62 inches (157.48cm) for storage. Plus, there are clips on either side to lock it in place.
Footbar and platform
The design of the padded footbar was the biggest learning curve for me, but once I got the hang of it, it's pretty easy to adjust. There are four positions you can choose from, providing a 9-inch range of adjustment. You do have to twist two knobs and lift the entire footbar out to change the position, though, so this is one area of the Metro IQ that feels more manual (read: less luxe) than the brand's studio machines.
Similarly, the platform is nothing to write home about, but it does the job. It has a grippy sticker that helps keep you secure while you stand on it, but there's no optional pad to add on (that I could find). I'd recommend wearing grip socks to make standing on the platform feel a little more comfortable and secure.
Straps and pulley system
I was a little worried about assembling the straps and pulley system, but it was a breeze thanks to the BB Garage guys (Ken and Joe, you rock) who fully assembled a Metro IQ reformer on camera. The straps that come with the machine are single-loop cotton straps, which, IMO, are pretty meh. If you like more versatility or padding in your reformer straps, Balanced Body does sell other loops you can purchase and swap in.
Springs
As I mentioned earlier, the Metro IQ comes with five colored springs—three red (medium), one blue (light), and one yellow (very light)—that make up a total of 46 resistance options. The springs come attached to the machine, so you don't need to worry about tricky assembly. Just note that, unlike the Allegro Balanced Body machines, there is only one hook per spring, meaning there's no option for a "high" color setting.
Stowing the Metro IQ
Weighing in at 85 pounds, the Metro IQ has a handle on one end so you can lift or wheel your machine into storage, depending on which wheel configuration you chose at checkout. I tried both the "wheelbarrow" and "library" wheels on my machine, and each option was easy enough to use.
The two wheelbarrow wheels attach to the footbar end of the reformer and make it so you can literally wheelbarrow the machine underneath furniture like a couch or bed. This method was easy enough, but because it's still rather large while compressed, it can be a little awkward to maneuver into tighter spaces.
The library wheels come as two pieces that contain a total of four wheels. It's designed to hold the reformer upright once it's hoisted vertically—if you're 5'3" (like me) or shorter, this is not an impossible feat, but it does require a bit of oomph. Once upright, you can wheel it behind a door or into a closet for storage. It definitely steers better over hardwood, but I'm able to wheel it over my rug pretty well, too.
Assembly (and what's not included)
The Metro IQ comes with everything you need to build out your reformer, and the entire process took me about 30 minutes. As I mentioned above, I did find the BB Garage instructional video helpful, although the written instructions were solid too.
What doesn't come with the reformer: a Pilates box, a footstrap, or any accessories like a Pilates ball or ring. You can purchase a box and footstrap separately, of course, but it does rack up the total cost a bit. The Metro IQ is also compatible with the brand's Cardio Cloud jumpboard, so that's something to consider adding on if you want to use your reformer as a cardio machine.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy to stow away in a closet or under the bed
- Studio-quality feel
- 5 colored springs provide 46 weight options
- Comfortable, padded carriage and shoulder blocks
- Easy to assemble
- Significantly less expensive than other home reformers
Cons
- Included hand loops leave much to be desired
- Footbar is a little clunky to adjust
- Footstrap, box, and jumpboard sold separately
- Only one color option (black)
- No included classes or display
Who is it a fit for?
Not to get too preachy, but as a NASM-certified personal trainer and 200-hour Yoga Alliance RYT, I would be remiss if I didn't note that reformers are serious pieces of equipment and should be used intentionally. In other words, if you've never taken a reformer Pilates class before, I wouldn't recommend going out and purchasing a Metro IQ.
It's also not a smart reformer, which means there's no built-in display or coaching, so you'll need to fend for yourself by sourcing virtual Pilates classes to stream in your home via your laptop, phone, or tablet. Personally, I've been using my Metro IQ to stream virtual classes through my local studio, and I'm also testing out other streaming platforms like Alo Moves and Pilatesology.
However, if you feel confident in your Pilates practice and want to start streaming home reformer workouts (or maybe you're taking a teacher training yourself and want to practice at home!), it's a great choice—especially if you don't have the space to leave the machine out all the time.
Final thoughts on the Balanced Body Metro IQ
As someone who prefers to take Pilates classes on Balanced Body reformers, I really do like this machine a lot. The telescopic frame and the ability to stow the device upright are truly the only way I could have a reformer in my apartment, so I very much appreciate the Metro IQ's innovative design. And, although it takes me a little bit longer to adjust the footbar, I've not had a problem taking virtual reformer classes through my local studio on the Metro IQ.
Despite having a lower price point than other Balanced Body reformers, the carriage, tracks, and springs on the Metro IQ all feel as high-performing and professional as the Allegro I'm used to using in the studio. All in all, it's a great home reformer, especially for folks living in smaller spaces who don't require a ton of bells and whistles.
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