Pilates can be the ultimate at home workout, especially when you invest in a few small, but mighty, props. Pilates at home equipment will add an extra challenge and adaptable versatility to your workouts so you can improve your overall health and wellness. From socks to resistance bands, foam rollers and Lululemon dupes, we’ve got the secret sauce on all the best Pilates equipment to stock your home gym with. You’ll learn the pros and cons of each product, the price point, and some tips for Pilates workouts at home.
This post includes affiliate links. I do earn a commission for products purchased using these links (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for supporting PILATESBODY by Kayla, making the content you see on this blog possible.
Due to the increased need and convenience of working out from home in recent years, the low-impact exercise system of Pilates has gained tremendous popularity. The equivalent rise of need for accessible virtual fitness brought forth new ways to workout from home. You can now partake in some of the best online Pilates classes on fitness apps for a lower monthly subscription cost than you would pay to attend just one in-person class at an actual Pilates studio.
The times are changing, and Pilates is changing right along with it. Online on-demand Pilates classes mean you can workout any where, any time, on any device. Having the appropriate equipment can significantly impact the success of your Home Pilates workout, making it more or less challenging. Instead of enrolling in a Pilates class at a studio, inexpensive at home Pilates equipment empowers you to engage in the very exercises for which you might otherwise pay a premium for use in a costly class. All of this can be accomplished within the coziness of your personal abode.
These affordable Pilates equipment pieces are so good and budget friendly that I had to share them with you! One of the perks about Pilates at home is you can try anything in private, and pretty much risk free, with minimal financial investment.
Pilates was founded by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, and is a fitness method that utilizes bodyweight (or light resistance) and slow, controlled movements. Pilates is designed to move you from the core out and focuses on building core strength, increasing flexibility, improving spinal health, and correcting posture. You can do Pilates at home on an exercise mat on the floor, or you can opt to go to a studio and use a machine called a reformer along with other expensive studio Pilates equipment.
Spoiler Alert! Pilates is for every-body! Reformers are big and costly, and Pilates studios aren’t as commonly found in every city or town like 24-hour fitness gyms are. So, reformer workouts may not be an option for you. But, you can get a kick ass Pilates workout in your living room with just your body weight and simple, inexpensive Pilates at home equipment. If you are just starting out with Beginner Pilates workouts, or if you want to level up and keep your workouts dynamic and challenging, the proper Pilates equipment will help match your skill level, goals, and accommodate the size of your exercise space at home.
It’s important to note that individual experiences may vary, and while Pilates can offer these benefits, consulting with a healthcare professional before starting a new exercise regimen is advisable, especially for individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
Yes, Pilates can be effectively practiced at home on an individual basis. Many Pilates exercises can be adapted to suit a home environment with minimal equipment. Online resources, instructional videos, and mobile apps provide guidance for proper technique and routine planning. However, if you’re new to Pilates or have specific health considerations, I highly recommend consulting a certified Pilates instructor to ensure that you’re performing exercises correctly and safely for your individual needs.
The most popular piece of Pilates equipment is the reformer. The reformer is a versatile and effective apparatus that provides both assistance and resistance, catering to individuals at various fitness levels.
However, reformers are expensive and bulky. For the sake of this blog I don’t even recommend purchasing your own reformer for in-home use. I recommend treating yourself to reformer classes once in a while where you can get professional instruction and get the most out of your reformer workout instead of purchasing one for your home Pilates studio. Unless you’re professionally trained on how to use it and MAINTAIN it.
There is a lot of Pilates equipment out there, so I’ve gathered the best of the best Pilates equipment for your home gym. With this equipment guide, you can level up your Pilates workout videos you can’t get enough of! These products have been used and tested by yours truly, and I highly recommend them. You can trust that I’m giving you the best of the best. You’ll find everything from resistance bands, to foam rollers, ankle weights, and Lululemon dupes!
The Pilates ball can help you achieve a full-body workout to improve posture in at-home workouts and even on-the-go. It is lightweight, portable, and provides an unstable base of support that allows you to activate deep stabilizing muscles. The mini stability ball is great for targeting those especially hard to reach areas like arms, abs, inner thighs, and hamstrings. You can also use the ball to roll out sore muscles or to support the low back or neck during Pilates workouts.
* Learn how to use this Pilates ball with exercises in my workout video at the top!
There are so many ways you can use the Pilates ring, or “Magic Circle”, and you will most likely find them in every professional Pilates studio. There are many great Pilates rings out there, but the ProsourceFit’s Pilates Ring is a great option particularly because it is lightweight and you can transport it easily. It is durable and encased in a protective laminate, and has soft foam pads for pressing into. I have had this ring for many years now, and it has maintained its springy strength over time. It truly delivers a challenging and unique workout every time!
These adorable, sparkle grip socks feature upper mesh panels that are airy and offer a barefoot feeling. Coolmax and lycra fabrics wick away sweat and keep feet cool and dry. The full sole grip will keep you in contact with your intended surface providing stability and strength. The materials are premium quality fibers and are ethically sourced. And did I mention how adorable the sparkles are?!
The perfect at-home Pilates mat! It is thick, but not too thick. This exercise mat has just enough support under the knees, wrists, and is soft on the spine. The material is environmentally friendly and does not have a strong chemical smell when it’s first unrolled. It’s grippy so it doesn’t slide, which is super important for stability in Pilates.
An all-purpose foam roller with professional quality foam and moderately soft density. This roller is perfect for self-massage, but also long enough to lie vertically and horizontally without feeling rigid on the spine. It is versatile for balance and core training and also doubles as a body massage and stretching prop.
These weights are perfect and convenient to help build even more strength during Pilates workouts. They can be worn on wrists or ankles to add that extra spice to exercises you’ve already mastered, making Pilates at home even more challenging. These weights are easy to slide on and off with no hassle of Velcro. They are easy to clean and stay firmly in place. Oh, and how cute are these colors!
Core slider discs are tiny, but mighty! They can often bring a reformer-like approach to Pilates at home workouts. If you are willing to have fun and get creative, they can level-up many of your favorite Pilates exercises. These are dual sided and can function on carpet and hardwood floors. These core sliding discs are inexpensive and you can bring them with you on-the-go. They are simple to use by just placing them under your hands or feet.
These booty bands are perfect for working on areas like the glutes, thighs and your upper body during your Pilates workouts. This four pack of resistance bands comes with 4 different resistance levels based on what Pilates workout you want to do: Light, Medium, Heavy, and X-Heavy. Booty bands help build strength and are super easy to pack up for traveling.
If you love the feel and look of Lululemon Align Leggings, but not the price tag, these dupes are for you. They have the buttery soft feel and fit. They do slide down, but so do my regular LuLu Aligns, so it is hard for me to compare because this isn’t a compressive material – I feel like I’m pulling them up regardless. They are available in so many colors, and you can get 4 pairs of these dupe leggings for the price of 1 true Lululemon Align!
Again, if you love that buttery soft Lululemon Align material, but not the hefty price tag, this is a fabulous dupe! This Align tank top dupe is super easy to pull on and off. It doesn’t have a lot of support, making it perfect for your low-impact at-home Pilates workouts. Quality control can be an issue, so you might want to order two sizes to make sure you get the right fit.
These hip bands come in a compact carrying case for easy storage so they don’t get lost! They come in 3 different resistances and are not as wide and bulky as traditional hip bands. However, they still pack just as much strength. If you are wanting to use the best hip resistance bands for upper body work, they are much easier to grab with your hand since they are not so wide.
You’re off to a great start by reading this blog on the 10 Best Pilates Equipement for At-Home Workouts. There are other things to consider when buying Pilates equipment too, like keeping in mind your skill level and budget. You don’t have to go all out right away on purchasing equipment either! And be sure to get trusted recommendations from Pilates instructors (like me!). It never hurts to ask additional questions, so please drop a comment below and I’d be happy to help you find the best Pilates equipment for your home gym!
If you are a Pilates at-home beginner and are ready to start your workouts, here are 3 of our favorite Pilates for beginners classes on the PILATESBODY On-Demand App to help you get started with Pilates at home today! Check them out below. New subscribers can enjoy 1 Month FREE of PILATESBODY On-Demand using the code FREETRIAL at checkout. Get unlimited access to Pilates workouts designed for all experience levels, body types, and ages of life.
Your Friend & Pilates Expert,
Kayla Brugger
Founder of PILATESBODY by Kayla
Founder of PILATESBODY On-Demand
Hi, I'm Kayla Brugger. Certified Pilates Instructor & Minnesota Mama of 2.
