Do Pilates Studios Provide Towels?
Studio etiquette · 3 min read
If you're new to reformer Pilates, it's a fair question — do you need to bring your own towel, or does the studio sort that out?
Quick answer
Most studios don't provide a towel for your reformer. Some offer hand towels or loaners, but regulars almost always bring their own — for hygiene, grip, and the right fit on the carriage.
What studios usually offer
Policies vary, but the common setup is: the studio supplies the reformers and cleans them between classes, and you bring your personal kit. A few studios keep small hand towels or rentable towels on hand, but a dedicated, properly fitted reformer towel is rarely part of the deal — and shared loaners aren't ideal hygienically.
Why bring your own
- Hygiene. A reformer passes between dozens of bodies a day. Your own towel is a clean barrier between you and whatever the last class left behind.
- Grip. A non-slip reformer towel keeps you anchored on the carriage — a hand towel or bath towel just slides.
- Fit. A reformer towel is shaped to cover the carriage and headrest, so it stays put through the whole class.
- It's yours. Toss it in the wash after class and it's ready for next time.
What to bring to every class
- A non-slip reformer towel
- Grip socks
- A water bottle
- Fitted workout clothes (loose layers catch in the springs)
Bring your own grip
The original non-slip reformer towel — yours, clean, every class.