ONYX
Pilates Reformer
A reimagined pilates reformer.
A reformer that allows you to face the instructor who does the workout with you so you can safely follow along. This Onyx Pilates Reformer is paired with a science-backed method that is challenging and proven to build a leaner, stronger you.
Reimagining the Pilates Experience with the ONYX Reformer
Pilates has always been about precision, alignment, and mind–body connection. Yet for decades, the reformer—the essential apparatus of Pilates—has remained largely unchanged. Most traditional reformers force users to twist awkwardly to see their instructor or screen, creating distractions and misalignments. ONYX set out to solve this problem, reimagining what a reformer could be in the era of connected fitness.
The result is the ONYX Pilates Reformer, designed in collaboration with Jackson Hedden Studio. It’s more than a piece of equipment—it’s a breakthrough in how people engage with instructors, technology, and their own bodies.
The Challenge
Modern fitness has shifted dramatically toward hybrid experiences—streaming classes, digital coaching, and AI-guided programs. Yet Pilates reformers have not kept pace.
Core problems identified:
User alignment & safety: Traditional reformers require side-glances or torso twists to see instructors, disrupting form and creating risk of injury.
Connected fitness limitations: Reformers weren’t designed to integrate with digital platforms, making them feel outdated in a streaming-first world.
Intimidation barrier: Many beginners find reformers confusing, with straps, springs, and positions that lack intuitive guidance.
ONYX wanted to bridge these gaps by combining functional innovation with modern design language.
The Design Process
1. Rethinking Orientation
The breakthrough idea: a forward-facing reformer that allows users to look directly at their instructor—whether in-person or through a connected screen. This seemingly simple shift transformed the entire user experience.
2. Engineering Innovation
To make forward-facing workouts possible, ONYX developed a patent-pending dual-directional spring system. This allows resistance to flow seamlessly no matter which way the user moves, enabling a new vocabulary of Pilates exercises without sacrificing tradition.
3. Form Meets Function
Jackson Hedden’s team applied minimalist industrial design principles—clean lines, twin platform bases, and premium materials—to create a reformer that feels at home in both boutique studios and modern living rooms.
4. Prototyping & Testing
Prototypes were refined through multiple iterations, with feedback from Pilates instructors and early adopters. Adjustments to spring tension, platform stability, and ergonomic handles ensured the reformer delivered both performance and comfort.
The Solution
The ONYX Reformer combines engineering, design, and user-centered thinking:
Forward-Facing Design: Eliminates awkward movements, keeps the body aligned, and enhances safety.
Dual-Directional Springs: A patent-pending system that adapts seamlessly to different exercises.
Connected Fitness Integration: Optimized for digital coaching and streaming classes, removing barriers to at-home Pilates.
Elegant Aesthetics: A sculptural design that elevates the studio space while inviting use.
The Impact
For Users
Better alignment & fewer injuries: Facing the instructor keeps the spine neutral.
More engaging workouts: Eye contact and direct interaction increase motivation and connection.
Accessible Pilates: Beginners gain confidence through an intuitive layout.
For Studios & Instructors
Differentiation: Studios can offer a premium, futuristic reformer experience.
Hybrid-ready: Seamless for livestream or recorded classes, expanding business models.
For the Brand
The ONYX Reformer has positioned itself as a category innovator in Pilates equipment, setting a new standard for how connected fitness and physical apparatus can work together.