Aldi's £149 reformer Pilates machine causes shopper frenzy– how to get similar for £78

Could Aldi have just launched the most popular SpecialBuy product to date? It seems so. Over the weekend, that had shoppers rushing to their local in an attempt to nab the £149.99 machine for themselves. However, most were met with queues, struggles and disappointment, and ultimately came home empty-handed.

So what's the big deal, you wonder? Reformer Pilates – a workout done on a special bed that has hand and footstraps and adjustable resistance settings – is a huge fitness trend at the moment, with classes costing upwards of £25 per go. Most people want to go at least once a week, so you're paying a minimum of £100 every month for a few 45-minute classes. Aldi's £149.99 reformer bed is just one payment, and then you can do your own sessions right from your home.

With most home Pilates beds costing a minimum of £400-£500 for a very basic model, and going up to £4k for one you'd find in a fancy studio, Aldi has made the machine affordable for all. But, as with all of its SpecialBuys, stock is limited and you won't be able to find everything new in your own local middle aisle, so what can you do if you want the bed but can't get your hands on it?

You can call up other nearby Aldi stores to check for stock before you make the journey, or you can shop the next best thing for a low price point: , £78.88. So if you’ve ever dreamed of the full-body toning magic of a reformer Pilates workout but couldn’t quite justify the studio—or reformer bed—price tag, it could be for you, especially as an entryway buy if you're new to this type of exercise.

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Compact, versatile and , this clever kit offers multi-functional features like adjustable push-up bars and an automatic rebound ab roller—great for core strength, flexibility and balance. It’s not a full sliding-bed setup, but it still brings a lot of that resistance-based goodness you’d expect from a reformer session.

While Aldi’s version more closely mimics a traditional reformer machine with a sliding mechanism, both products share a similar goal: delivering Pilates-style benefits in a space-saving, budget-friendly format. If you’re tight on space or just starting out, Amazon’s board is a brilliant, fuss-free way to dip into the trend.

However, if you had your heart set on a more traditional reformer-style bed, , £341, is well worth the one-off payment. Sturdy and with all of the features that Aldi's bed has (plus more!), It'll last you years. Plus, if you're doing a class every week as a minimum, you'll make your money's worth in three months.

It's worth noting that reformer Pilates is a form of exercise that typically involves guided instruction to ensure safe and effective movement. If you're new to it, it's worth heading to a few professional classes first to get your form right and learn about the machines. When using home reformer equipment, be sure to follow safety instructions, start slow and listen to your body to avoid injury.