The MPX is where I point a brand-new studio that wants a genuine commercial Merrithew without the flagship outlay. It's the entry point to the range, but it's still built to take a full timetable, and the real trick is the vertical stand — you can store it upright against a wall, so it's ideal for boutique, fitness or franchise spaces that double as multi-use rooms. Compared with the SPX Max it doesn't stack or take a Cadillac frame, and next to the taller V2 Max it sits lower to the floor, but for an honest, hard-wearing first Reformer it's hard to beat at this price. The patented rolling carriage on C-channel aluminium rails feels smooth and quiet, and you get the full range of adjustments — six carriage-stopper positions, four footbar and three gearbar settings — so instructors can dial it in for any client. For a studio finding its feet, this is a smart, space-savvy place to start.

Having fitted out studios with just about every reformer Align makes, the M8-Pro is the one I steer most studio owners toward when they want a premium, classical look without compromising on performance. The first thing clients notice is the oversized maple carriage — at 93cm it's genuinely roomier than our C8 and A8 models, so a single machine comfortably handles a real mix of body sizes across back-to-back classes. The 104cm of silent travel on the 8-wheel PU system stays smooth and quiet even after months of heavy timetable use, which matters when you've got a full room. Where the C8-Pro leans sporty and the A8-Pro gives you adjustable leg heights, the M8-Pro is all about that solid, furniture-grade maple finish that lifts the whole studio. The combined T-Bar rope system keeps both sides perfectly even, so my instructors aren't fiddling with set-up mid-session. For a studio that wants a flagship machine clients remember, this is the one I'd pick.

I love the Lignum — it's a great option for serious home users, instructors working from home, or boutique studios that want a traditional wooden reformer without the high upfront cost. If I were opening a boutique studio, this is where I'd go; I always say it's a pro, studio-grade machine at a mid-tier price. What really stands out is how easy it is to adjust — the quick-change systems on both the footbar and springs make it super smooth to switch things up mid-session. It comes with 5 springs and a 3-position adjustable spring bar, plus a quick-release footbar with 6 positions, giving you plenty of flexibility. Like all Elina machines, the carriage is ultra-smooth and quiet, and it comes with everything you need to get going.