XFormer Pilates:
High Intensity.
Low Impact.
The XFormer is a spring-resistance machine that delivers a harder, more intense workout than a traditional Pilates reformer, without the joint stress. Full body. 45 minutes. Real results.
More than a reformer.
The XFormer is a next-generation Pilates machine built around a mobile carriage, heavy-load spring resistance, and dual front-and-back platforms, giving instructors and clients far more exercise variety than a traditional reformer allows.
Where classic Pilates reformers focus on elongation, stretching, and low-resistance movement, the XFormer is engineered for intensity. Adjustable springs create genuine resistance that fatigues your muscles, elevates your heart rate, and triggers the afterburn effect. The kind of caloric burn that keeps working after you leave the studio.
Every class targets your slow-twitch muscle fibers through slow, controlled movements, the same muscle groups responsible for posture, core stability, and lean body composition.
Six reasons to get on the XFormer.
XFormer vs. Traditional Reformer
Same Pilates DNA. Very different workouts.
XFormer vs. Lagree Megaformer
If you've searched for a Lagree or Megaformer studio near you, the XFormer will feel familiar, both use spring resistance, slow controlled movement, and constant time under tension to deliver a high-intensity, low-impact workout. If you love one, you'll almost certainly love the other.
The difference is in the details: the XFormer's larger carriage and adjustable spring system give our instructors more ways to scale every exercise to your level, and at x2o it comes paired with small classes and hands-on coaching at every session, across our three Bay Area studios.
Read the full comparison: XFormer vs. Lagree →Your questions, answered.
Everything you need to know about XFormer Pilates before your first class.
XFormer Pilates is a high-intensity, low-impact workout performed on the XFormer, a spring-resistance Pilates machine. Unlike traditional reformer Pilates, the XFormer is designed for strength-based HIIT training: slow, controlled movements that fatigue your muscles, elevate your heart rate, and target your slow-twitch muscle fibers for long-term metabolic results. Classes at x2o Studio are 45 minutes, full-body, and open to all fitness levels.
A traditional Pilates reformer prioritizes stretching, elongating, and low-resistance rehabilitative movement. The XFormer takes the same carriage-and-spring framework and pushes it into HIIT territory — heavier resistance, dual front-and-back platforms, and a broader range of exercises that keep your heart rate elevated throughout the class. The result is a workout that's still gentle on your joints but significantly more intense on your muscles.
They're close cousins. Lagree classes run on Sebastien Lagree's patented Megaformer machines at licensed studios, while the XFormer is a different spring-resistance machine built around the same training principles — slow, loaded, low-impact, full-body movement. If you've taken Lagree classes, you'll feel at home on an XFormer within minutes. Read our full XFormer vs. Lagree comparison for the details.
Absolutely. The XFormer's spring resistance is fully adjustable, so the machine scales to any fitness level. We offer introductory classes specifically designed for first-timers, and our instructors provide hands-on form guidance every session. We also ask all new clients to arrive 10 minutes early so we can walk you through the machine before class starts. If you can plank, you can do XFormer Pilates.
Regular XFormer Pilates practice builds lean muscle, improves core strength and posture, increases flexibility and range of motion, and elevates your resting metabolism through the afterburn effect. Because it's low-impact and joint-friendly, it's sustainable as a long-term fitness practice — and complements high-impact sports and activities by reducing injury risk and building stabilizer muscles that traditional gym training often misses.
Yes. The low-impact, controlled nature of XFormer Pilates makes it well-suited for people recovering from injury or managing chronic joint conditions. We recommend speaking with your doctor or physical therapist before starting any new exercise program, and letting your instructor know about any injuries or limitations before class. Our instructors are trained to offer modifications for every exercise.
Core strength is the foundation of every XFormer movement. Because the carriage is always in motion, your core must be engaged continuously throughout class to stabilize your spine and drive the resistance. Over time, this builds deep core strength — the kind that supports better posture, reduces lower back pain, and improves performance in every other physical activity you do.
x2o Studio offers XFormer Pilates classes at three Bay Area locations: Los Gatos (430 N Santa Cruz Ave, opened 2020), Danville (7 Railroad Ave, opened 2022), and Fremont (37120 Fremont Blvd, opened 2025). Book your first class online or on the x2o iOS app.
Try it for yourself.
Book your first XFormer Pilates class at any of our three Bay Area locations.
The XFormer is exclusive to x2o in the Bay Area — learn more about our Los Gatos Pilates studio, Danville Pilates studio, or Fremont Pilates studio.