Quick answer: A reformer studio is noisy because metal springs clank, carriages roll and stop, and every sound bounces off bare walls, mirrors and glass. Fabric acoustic panels soak up the bounce, so the room sounds calmer and the instructor is easier to hear. They will not stop the thud of carriages travelling through the floor to the unit below. A typical studio needs about 15 to 25 panels, roughly S$2,775 to S$4,625 installed.

Key takeaways

  • Springs and carriages are loud, and bare walls make them louder.
  • Panels cut the echo, so the room feels calmer.
  • Panels do not stop noise going through the floor.

Why is a reformer studio so loud?

Each reformer has metal springs, a rolling carriage and hard stops. With 8 or 10 machines going at once, the clicks and clanks add up fast. Most studios also have mirrors, glass fronts and hard floors, so the sound keeps bouncing. The bounce is what makes a class feel tiring.

What do acoustic panels fix?

Panels soak up sound that hits them instead of sending it back into the room. The clank still happens, but it dies away quickly instead of ringing. Clients hear the instructor without straining, and the music can stay softer. See whether acoustic panels really work.

Not sure what your room needs? Send us a photo on WhatsApp or request a free quote. We'll tell you how many panels, where they go and the price. See our gym and studio acoustic panels and recent projects.

Why reformers sound so loud infographic

What will panels not fix?

Panels do not block sound from leaving the room. If the unit below hears carriages bumping, that sound travels through the floor slab. That needs work at the source, such as rubber pads under machines or a floating floor. Read acoustic treatment vs soundproofing to see the difference.

Reformer noise: what fixes what diagram

Where should the panels go?

Start with the long wall opposite the mirror, above the height of the machines. Then add panels on the side walls and, if the ceiling is hard and high, a few ceiling panels. Keep panels clear of where springs and straps swing. See where to place panels first.

How many panels and what does it cost?

A typical reformer studio is about the size of a small gym room, which usually needs 15 to 25 panels. At S$185 per panel installed, that is about S$2,775 to S$4,625. Standard fixings are included; scaffold for high ceilings is quoted separately. See acoustic panel prices.

Should I pick 25 mm or 50 mm panels?

Both work. The 25 mm panel has an NRC (a score from 0 to 1 for how much sound a panel soaks up) of 0.80 and the 50 mm panel has an NRC of 1.00, so the thicker one soaks up a bit more. In a busy reformer room, 50 mm panels on the main wall are a good choice. See whether thicker panels are better.

Will panels make the studio look like an office?

No. Panels come in 39 fabric colours and three sizes, so they can sit in a neat row or blend with your brand colours. Soft neutrals suit a calm Pilates look. See choosing panel colours.

What about the music system?

Once echo drops, music sounds clearer, so it can often go down a notch and still fill the room. Point speakers at the class, not at bare glass. A headset mic for the instructor works better in a treated room too.

What we see on real jobs

Echo is worst in a full class, not when the room is empty. A short video taken during a session tells us far more than a photo of an empty room.

Get a straight answer for your room

Send a photo or short video of your studio or gym floor on WhatsApp (+65 8930 1905), ideally during a class. We'll suggest where panels go, keep them clear of equipment and mirrors, and install outside class times.

WhatsApp us a photo · Request a free quote · See prices

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