There’s no denying that Pilates is one of the most popular workouts of the moment, especially the Reformer discipline, which is even being hailed as the ultimate workout for 2025, with social media currently flooded with influencers taking up the practice and new Reformer Pilates studios popping up left, right, and centre across Greater Manchester and the UK.
If you’re unfamiliar with what Reformer Pilates is, it’s a low-impact form of Pilates exercise performed on a specialised Reformer machine – which adds resistance to exercises, making it suitable for various different fitness levels – and it focuses on strength, flexibility, core stability, and overall body awareness.
But while popular, there’s also no denying that it’s expensive.
Aldi is launching a collection of Pilates products in the middle aisle next weekend / Credit: Aldi
Though many people see their choice of workout as something they prioritise and budget for, for others, the price of regular Reformer Pilates classes are not financially feasible.
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Which is why the news that you’ll soon be able to pop down to your local Aldi store, head to the middle aisle, and pick up your own Reformer Pilates machine to take home with you that very same day, is music to our ears.
In a UK supermarket first, Aldi is bringing Reformer Pilates to the middle aisle, and it’s perfect for those looking to elevate their fitness routines in a long-term affordable way, as it offers professional-grade workouts without leaving the house.
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Featuring adaptable resistance levels with five resistance bands, adjustable height settings, smooth gliding functionality, transport wheels for easy movement, and foldable storage capabilities, Aldi says its versatile Reformer Pilates Machine ‘caters to all fitness levels’, making it a must-have addition to any home gym or exercise space.
Outside an Aldi store / Credit: Aldi Corporate
It even comes complete with an introductory exercise chart too, so whether you’re looking to strengthen your core, improve flexibility, or tone muscles, the machine is designed to help anyone achieve their fitness goals.
The viral Reformer Pilates Machine has already taken the internet by storm when it launched in Australia last year, with Brits begging the budget supermarket to bring it across the pond, and now it’s finally set to launch in UK Aldi stores nationwide on Sunday 25 May.
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The Reformer Pilates Machine will set you back £149, which we know isn’t cheap, let’s say, but it’s certainly cheaper in the long run if you’re an avid Pilates practicer.
Shoppers better limber up though, as is the case with all Aldi Specialbuys, once they’re gone, they’re gone, so if you’re keen to get your hands on a machine, you’ll need to act fast.
Head down to your local Aldi on Sunday 25 May and get checking that middle aisle.
Featured Image – Aldi
Shopping
Claire’s is closing all stores in the UK and Ireland with more than 1,300 jobs set to be lost
Danny Jones
In another hit to domestic shoppers, Claire’s Accessories is closing down en masse across the UK and Ireland after entering into administration once again.
Falling into an unfortunate financial status for the second time in less than a year, Claire’s will be shutting down all of their standalone stores across Britain, along with their IE branches.
A total of 154 stores will soon disappear, with more than a thousand people set to be put out of work.
Once a mainstay of British high streets up and down the country, the accessory shop known for all things jewellery, piercings and more has ceased trading effective immediately.
Announced at the start of the week and the end of the first full month of Q2, it was confirmed that Claire’s closed their final locations on Monday, 27 April.
With administrators, Kroll, appointed to wrap up business proceedings, an estimated 1,300 English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh workers have now lost their jobs.
Founded way back in 1961 over in the United States, Claire’s has operated across the Atlantic for more than three decades.
However, with various other contemporaries and cheaper online options having appeared over the years, they’ve struggled not just to remain profitable but to compete full stop.
They most recently filed for bankruptcy in the US this past August (2025), with their Belgian, Spanish, and Dutch divisions having already called it quits.
Manchester location(s) have changed a lot over time, but now they’re on the way out (Credit: Arndale)
For many, the outcome isn’t all that surprising, but it will nevertheless be a sad loss for many who have seen multiple generations visit these venues over the years.
Discount flights from Manchester up for grabs as easyJet’s ‘Big Orange Sale’ returns for 2026
Danny Jones
Get ready to book in some annual leave, because easyJet’s ‘Big Orange Sale’ is BACK for 2026, with cheap flights from Manchester and more up for grabs.
Not only can you get affordable trips from Manchester Airport, specifically, but there are discounts across the board by the operator.
The Big Orange Sale is becoming an increasingly popular annual occurrence for Brits, with countless holidaymakers, rather fittingly, making the most of the offer.
In fact, you might have already seen the advert yourselves:
Packing our bags already.
Just as the ad explains, those travelling via easyJet can get up to 20% discount on flights to a load of different destinations across the globe.
Yes, the company are knocking up to a fifth off the price on flights over the course of nearly 10 months’ worth of travel from the UK, provided the trip is booked within the right window.
Seeing savings on more than 730,000 seats, the time frame itself is also one of the longest cut-price periods you’ll come across this year, not to mention well into 2027.
Better still, it doesn’t just stop at flying itself…
Get this, the flight operators and travel agents are offering up to £400 off on package holidays, meaning those old faithful all-inclusives are about to become even more bang for your buck.
Featuring not only countless mainland European favourites on the list, but also the likes of the Canary Islands, Morocco, and numerous popular skiing hotspots, just to name a few.
In ideal news for all you lot, approximately 90,000 of these reduced seats are on flights from Manchester Airport, with the operators also having just added 30 new locations to the areas they service.
Allowing you to book trips departing between 1 May 2026 and 14 March 2027, it’s a huge travel window for you to get extra value-for-money deals on your next getaway.
You can find the full list of flights and package holidays on easyJet’s Big Orange Sale right HERE.
Speaking of airports, you’ll also be glad to hear that public transport infrastructure is also getting a big upgrade to make your next holiday even easier:
Emily Sergeant -
16th May 2025 
