Buying guide

What's Included With Your Reformer (and What to Budget Extra)

October 27, 2026 · 5 min read · by KETA PILATES

You found a reformer at a price you like, placed the order, and then the questions started. Does it come with the straps? The springs? A manual? Will I need tools to assemble it? Many first-time buyers only find out what is and isn't included after the container arrives — and that is an expensive surprise.

The short answer: a complete reformer ships ready to use, but a few wear parts and optional accessories are purchased separately. Knowing the difference before you pay lets you budget correctly and avoid a second urgent order later.

Here is exactly what to expect when you buy a reformer from a Chinese manufacturer, and where the extra cost usually hides.

1. What comes standard with the reformer

A standard reformer package includes the full frame, the carriage, the spring system, ropes or straps, the footbar, and the shoulder rests. In other words, the machine itself is complete and usable out of the box.

On top of that, every order ships with a free hardware kit — a set of spare screws, bolts, and small fittings so you are not stuck if one goes missing during assembly. This kit is included at no extra charge.

For setup help, every model comes with an installation video. You send us your model number and we send the matching video, so your team can assemble it without guessing. Most models do not include a printed manual, though a few have an English version available. If you need a printed manual for training staff, tell us when you order and we will confirm whether your model has one.

2. Consumable parts you will replace over time

A reformer is built to last, but some parts wear with use and are not part of the standard package because they are consumables.

The main ones are springs, ropes or straps, wheels, and belts. These are sold separately, and you should budget for a small stock from the start — especially if your studio runs classes all day. Springs lose tension after thousands of repetitions; ropes and straps show wear; wheels and belts on moving parts need occasional replacement.

How often you replace them depends on daily usage, not on the supplier. A busy studio replacing springs every year is normal; a home user may go much longer. The point is to keep a few spares on the shelf so a worn part never stops a session.

3. Accessories worth adding to your first order

Beyond the reformer itself, a few add-ons make the equipment more useful and are easier to buy together than to chase later.

A jumpboard turns the reformer into a low-impact cardio tool. A tower conversion kit lets one frame do reformer and tower work. Mats, straps, and handles in different sizes help you serve clients of different heights. If you are opening a studio, these are worth listing in the same order so everything arrives together.

None of these are required to use the reformer, but most buyers add at least one once they see how it changes the class plan.

4. Documentation and support you should expect

Before you pay, ask the supplier what setup support they provide. At minimum you should get an installation video for your exact model — not a generic one. KETA provides this for every model; you give us the model number and we send the matching clip.

On paperwork, expect variety. Some models ship with an English manual, most rely on the video. Either way, ask for what you need up front. Good suppliers are clear about this instead of promising everything and delivering nothing.

5. A simple budgeting checklist before you order

Before you send the deposit, run through this list:

• Confirm the standard package includes frame, carriage, springs, straps, footbar, and shoulder rests.
• Ask for the free hardware kit to be included (it should be).
• Decide which consumables — springs, ropes, wheels, belts — you want as spares, and price them now.
• Pick any accessories (jumpboard, tower kit, mats) to add in the same shipment.
• Confirm you will receive the installation video for your model, and whether a printed English manual is available.

Doing this takes ten minutes and prevents the "I didn't know that cost extra" moment after delivery.

Ready to spec your order?

Tell us the models you are considering and how many you need. KETA supplies aluminum, oak, maple, and beech reformers, plus tower, Cadillac, foldable, and studio equipment — so you can mix a full container. Minimum order is 5 pieces and you can combine models in one shipment. We will list what is included, what is extra, and the spare parts we recommend, so your budget is clear before you commit.

Contact our team for a tailored quote.