
By Emily Carter · 11 min read · Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ · Keyword: pilates flo vs lhanel
Emily Carter
Fitness & Wellness Writer · Tested both portable reformers for 3 weeks · Compared official pricing, accessories, and verified reviews
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program.
Table of Contents
“At-home equipment and portable reformers have made the method more accessible, and for many people, that convenience is what allows them to build consistency. While a portable board can't fully replicate the spring tension of a full reformer, it can help build strength, improve movement integrity, and deepen that foot-to-core connection.”
— James Shaw, qualified Pilates instructor (on portable reformer boards, via Marie Claire)
Why Compare These Two Brands
Between the two of them, Lhanel and Flo probably show up in half the sponsored Pilates board ads I see in a given week. Flo has the flashier press résumé — Vogue, Glamour, Allure — while Lhanel leans harder into value with a fuller accessory bundle at a similar price. I tested both portable boards for three weeks, side by side, to see which one actually earns its spot in a small apartment.
Quick Overview: Lhanel vs Flo
Lhanel's Pilates Reformer Set runs around $139.95 and bundles the board with resistance bands, push-up risers, a sweat belt, Pilates socks, a timer, and a phone holder. Flo's portable reformer starts at $99 for the base model or $199.95 for the Pro version, and every purchase includes access to a companion app with guided reformer workouts — Flo also sells pricier Home ($1,795) and Studio ($2,249) reformers for buyers who want closer-to-studio equipment, a tier Lhanel doesn't currently compete in.
Product Breakdown
Lhanel Pilates Reformer Set — $139.95
Full accessory bundle included: board, bands, risers, sweat belt, socks, timer, phone holder. Trustpilot: ~4.6/5 across 230+ reviews.
Flo Portable Pilates Reformer — $99-$199.95
Alloy steel construction, 300 lb capacity, companion app with guided workout library included. Featured in Vogue, Glamour, Allure, and Marie Claire; brand cites 70,000+ users.
See how Lhanel's full accessory bundle is priced today.
My Real Experience, Week by Week
Week 1: Unboxing both side by side, Lhanel's set felt like more product for the money — the risers and sweat belt aren't things I expected to actually use, but I did, twice in the first week. Flo's app was the standout on their side; having a guided 20-minute routine queued up removed the “what do I even do on this thing” hesitation I had with Lhanel at first.
Week 2: By day 10, I'd settled into using Flo's app-guided sessions three times a week and Lhanel's board freestyle (using online routines I found myself) the other two days. Both delivered real core fatigue by the end of each session — Flo's resistance felt slightly more consistent throughout the slide, while Lhanel's band-based resistance built more toward the end of each rep.
Week 3: My honest read after three weeks: Flo's guided app is the single biggest differentiator, genuinely useful for someone who doesn't already know Pilates routines. But Lhanel's physical accessory bundle is more complete out of the box, and at $139.95 versus Flo's $199.95 Pro tier, Lhanel undercuts the more comparable Flo model on price.
Where Each Brand Wins
Lhanel wins on: accessory bundle completeness, price at the comparable tier, and Trustpilot rating for its specific Pilates product (4.6/5). Flo wins on: the guided workout app, magazine press credibility, and having higher-end reformer tiers if you later want to upgrade within the same brand ecosystem.
What to Know Before You Order
Lhanel doesn't currently offer a guided app, so you'll need to source your own routines from YouTube or a Pilates instructor's content. Flo's base $99 model is more bare-bones on included accessories than Lhanel's bundle, so check exactly what's in the box before assuming it matches feature-for-feature.
Full Comparison Table
| Feature | Lhanel Pilates Reformer Set | Flo Portable Reformer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $139.95 | $99-$199.95 |
| Weight Capacity | Not publicly listed | 300 lbs |
| Included Accessories | Bands, risers, sweat belt, socks, timer, phone holder | Board + resistance system, app access |
| Guided Workout App | No | Yes |
| Press Coverage | None found | Vogue, Glamour, Allure, Marie Claire |
| Higher-End Reformer Option | No | Yes ($1,795-$2,249) |
| Rating (this product) | ~4.6/5 (Trustpilot) | Mixed, generally positive |
If you want everything included in one box and the best price at the comparable tier, Lhanel is the stronger pick. If you specifically want app-guided programming and don't mind paying more for it, Flo earns its place — especially if you might want to upgrade to a bigger reformer down the line within the same brand.
Who Should Buy Lhanel
Choose Lhanel if you want the most complete accessory bundle for your money, you're comfortable finding your own routines online, or you're specifically comparing against Flo's pricier Pro tier and want to save $60 without losing meaningful functionality.
Maybe Wait If…
If structured, guided programming is a dealbreaker for you and you know you won't build your own routine, Flo's app-included ecosystem may be worth the extra cost — or budget for a Pilates app subscription alongside Lhanel's board instead.
Final Verdict: 4.5/5 — Lhanel Is the Stronger Value Pick
Flo has the bigger name recognition, but at the comparable price tier, Lhanel's fuller accessory bundle and strong 4.6/5 product rating make it the better dollar-for-dollar choice for most home Pilates beginners. If you specifically want guided app workouts, that's the one area where Flo pulls ahead — otherwise, Lhanel wins this matchup.
Get the fuller accessory bundle for less — see today's Lhanel pricing.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Lhanel or Pilates Flo?
Flo's base portable reformer starts lower at $99, while Lhanel's set runs around $139.95, but Lhanel includes a fuller accessory bundle at that price.
Has Pilates Flo really been featured in Vogue and Glamour?
Yes, Flo Pilates has received real press coverage in Vogue, Glamour, Allure, and Marie Claire, and cites over 70,000 users.
What accessories come with each brand's set?
Lhanel includes the board, bands, push-up risers, sweat belt, Pilates socks, timer, and phone holder. Flo focuses on the board and resistance system plus app access.
Does Pilates Flo have a workout app?
Yes, every Flo Reformer purchase includes access to a companion app with guided reformer workouts.
Which brand has better customer reviews?
Lhanel's Pilates Reformer Set holds around 4.6/5 on Trustpilot across 230+ reviews. Flo's reviews are more mixed but generally positive.
Can either of these replace studio reformer classes?
Neither fully replaces a studio-grade spring reformer for advanced practitioners, but both work well for beginner-to-intermediate home practice.
Does Flo also sell higher-end reformers?
Yes, Flo sells a Home Reformer (~$1,795) and Studio Reformer (~$2,249), a tier Lhanel does not currently offer.
Which one should a total beginner choose?
For everything included in one box, Lhanel's bundle is the more complete starting point. For guided app workouts alongside the equipment, Flo's ecosystem has the edge.

