Editorial policy

This page explains how we research and write our guides, where our information comes from, and what we don't do. If something in a guide looks wrong, please tell us.

We research, we don't test

We don't run in-house product tests, and we never claim hands-on testing we haven't done. Every guide has a "How we researched this" note that says exactly what it is based on. When a guide mentions testing, it is someone else's test, named and linked.

Where our information comes from

Every factual claim is attributed to a named source. In order of preference:

1. Manufacturers: official spec pages, manuals and care instructions, for dimensions, weight limits, materials and what's in the box.
2. Research and professional bodies: peer-reviewed studies and organizations such as the American Council on Exercise, for anything about health or exercise.
3. Reputable publications: hands-on tests and expert interviews from established outlets, credited by name.
4. Owner reviews: recurring patterns across many reviews (for example, frequent mentions of noise or sizing), never a single review presented as fact.

Sources are linked in each guide, usually in a Sources section at the end. When sources disagree, we say so. When a detail isn't published anywhere, we say that too instead of guessing.

How a guide is made

1. We pick topics from what readers search for and what is missing from existing guides.
2. We collect sources into a research brief before writing.
3. The guide is written from that brief only. Products come from our catalog, where each one is listed with its sources.
4. A separate fact-check compares every claim, spec and quote against the sources. Guides with unresolved issues are not published.
5. An automated check blocks hard-coded prices, missing sources and testing claims.

How we use AI

We use AI tools to help with research, drafting and fact-checking. The rules above apply no matter who or what drafts the text: every claim must trace back to a named source, and each guide is checked against those sources before it is published.

Health information

Our guides are general information, not medical advice. We only make health or exercise claims that a cited source supports, and we word them cautiously. If you are pregnant, injured or managing a health condition, check with a doctor or a qualified Pilates instructor before starting a new routine.

Prices and links

We show price ranges, not exact prices, because prices change often. Check the retailer for the current price. We earn commissions from some links; see our affiliate disclosure.

Independence

• Brands can't pay to be included or to change a ranking.
• Brands don't see or approve guides before they are published.
• Commission rates don't decide which products we recommend.

Updates and corrections

We revisit guides when products, specs or sources change. Each guide shows when it was last updated, and meaningful changes are listed in its update history at the end of the page. If you spot an error, email hello@pilatesverdict.com. We check it against the sources and correct it if we got it wrong.