Merrithew for Pilates (2026):
STOTT Equipment, Certification & Guide

The studio-trusted brand behind STOTT Pilates

Merrithew was founded in 1988 by Moira and Lindsay Merrithew in Toronto, Canada. Moira brought a background as a professional dancer — she had studied under Alan Herdman, one of the first instructors to bring classical Pilates to the United Kingdom — and it was this grounding in movement science and performance training that shaped the STOTT methodology. Working with a team of physiotherapists, sports medicine specialists, and fitness experts, Moira developed what became STOTT PILATES: a contemporary approach to Pilates built on anatomically correct, evidence-based principles, with particular attention to spine-neutral positioning. Where classical Pilates emphasises a flat back and imprinted lumbar spine, STOTT methodology works to restore and maintain the natural curves of the spine — a distinction that matters in both clinical and fitness contexts.

The STOTT PILATES certification programme became one of the most internationally respected instructor credentials in the industry. Programmes now run in more than 100 countries, and the curriculum goes significantly beyond movement instruction: STOTT-certified instructors study anatomy, kinesiology, and exercise science alongside the method itself. The breadth of that education is part of why STOTT-certified instructors are preferred by physical therapy clinics and rehabilitation centres — the credential carries genuine clinical credibility that many Pilates certifications do not. For practitioners choosing a studio or instructor, seeing the STOTT PILATES designation is a reliable signal of rigorous training.

On the equipment side, Merrithew's philosophy is precision over volume. Their product line is narrower than Balanced Body's, with each reformer tier differentiated by intended use. The Rehab V2 Max Plus Reformer sits at the top of what is genuinely sold on Amazon — a raised-frame, clinical/professional machine with a built-in Vertical Frame and a patented retractable rope system, at $8,199. Below it, the SPX Max is Merrithew's studio-line name — sold through Merrithew's own site and authorised dealers rather than as a standalone Amazon listing — and the At Home SPX Reformer Package, at $3,349, brings genuine spring-based reformer technology into the home market as the real Amazon-sold entry point. The distinctive blue colour scheme and quieter carriage operation are consistent across the range and have become recognisable markers of Merrithew equipment in the studio environments where it most commonly appears.