The Best At-Home Pilates Equipment

by 


If you’ve been anywhere on the internet within the past couple of years, chances are, you’ve come across a fitness or wellness girly raving about her Pilates class. From GRWM videos to studio tours, the Pilates lifestyle screams That Girl. And yes, the hype got to me. However, as I researched different Pilates studios near me, I realized that those memberships come at a steep price—and that’s only the start of it. Along with the membership, it can be easy to get sucked into the idea that you need the numerous matching outfits, the Stanley cup, and the special grip socks for every day of the week.

So, yeah, I won’t be joining the glamorous ranks of studio Pilates girlies. However, Pilates is a great workout, and it’s easy to get a similar experience at home. Enter mat Pilates. Mat Pilates eliminates the reformer machine typically used in studios and replaces it with a mat, simple Pilates equipment, and your body weight. All things you probably already have lying around the apartment or are just a simple two-day shipping window away.

If you’re ready to make the jump from in-studio classes to at-home sessions, first of all, welcome to the club! Secondly, start here. Below, I’ve rounded up the best Pilates equipment you can add to your at-home studio that’ll help you look forward to your mat session every day.

How to do Pilates at home

Between free and paid apps, short TikTok routines, and free YouTube videos, there is no shortage of options for at-home Pilates workouts. Below, I’ve outlined a few editor-favorite at-home Pilates resources to help you get started.

  • If you want a guided schedule: FORM by Sami Clark (read our review of the app here!), $28/month or $120/year
  • If you want a huge library of on-demand workouts to choose from: Obé Fitness, $24.99/month or $169.99/year
  • If you’ve never tried Pilates before and just want to check it out: @MoveWithNicole on YouTube

Everything you need for at-home Pilates


pilates equipment

Stakt

In addition to all of the typical yoga mat benefits (supportive  cushion to soften the impact from working out on the floor and a grippy material to help keep you in place), this foldable yoga mat from Stakt provides even more support throughout your workout, allowing you to easily customize your experience whether your in a plank, or need more cushion under your knees or wrists.

7 colors available


pilates equipment

Target | All In Motion

If you want to level up your at home Pilates routine, add in a set of light weights to make it more challenging. This set from Target comes with three, five, and eight pound weights, so you can use the heavier weights for glute workouts and the lighter weights for your arms. You can also start light and work your way up as you get stronger.


pilates equipment

Amazon | Bala

Take your at-home workout to the next level by incorporating these one-pound wrist weights from Bala. They’re comfortable to wear, and easy to take on and off when changing moves. You don’t have to worry about holding weights, and can wear them on your wrists for arm workouts or ankles for your lower body. They act as a built-in extra push you’ll actually look forward to using.

3 colors available


pilates equipment

Amazon | HOME GYM

This 10-pound weighted exercise ring is high quality, easy to hold, and has a balanced weight that’ll aid you in moves like crunches, chest presses, or core workouts. Using this weighted ring during your mat Pilates session will increase your balance and endurance.


Amazon | Bala

As you build your flexibility, holding certain stretches or moves can be trickier at first. One of the best ways to aid your body during those moves is to bring the floor to you with supportive yoga blocks.

4 colors available


pilates equipment

Lululemon

You can get a similar effect of a reformer by using a foam roller under your feet when doing a mat Pilates move on your back or hands. When using the foam roller, it requires you to focus on balance, mimicking the movement of a reformer. This option from Lululemon comes with two rollers, one that is meant to massage your arms and legs, and another that is meant to release tension from your back.

3 colors available


pilates equipment

Bala

Placing sliders under your feet while in plank moves mimics the experience of a reformer and levels up your core exercises. Bala’s sliding discs are made from a dense, supportive foam, so you’re also still totally supported while using them.

3 colors available


Amazon | ALTA

Resistance bands are a simple way to add a challenge to Pilates moves like leg lifts or raises. These resistance bands from Amazon are durable, won’t slide up or down, and come with three different difficulty levels.


pilates equipment

Amazon | Pafal

If you’re used to a reformer and are intimidated by the prospect of going without one, this Pilates ab board is basically the closest you can get to that experience at home. It’s compact and allows you to do traditional Pilates moves like lunges, planks, and arm extensions. You can read our Wellness Editor’s review of it here. 

2 colors available


pilates equipment

Amazon | GAIAM

If you haven’t caught on by now, there are a ton of ways to get a reformer-like experience with at-home equipment. If nothing’s spoken to you yet, this Pilates bar is designed to help you recreate reformer moves wherever you are. While holding the bar above your chest, you place your feet in the stirrups at the end of the two resistance bands to guide your body through different movements.


pilates equipment

Amazon | IUGA

I like placing a yoga towel on my mat when I’m anticipating an extra-sweaty workout session. This yoga towel grips to your mat, is extra absorbent, and gives you a non-slip surface to work out on so you always stay in place. This set also comes with a hand towel if you need to do a quick wipe down between moves and an empty spray bottle you can fill with water to spritz your towel if you need more traction.

5 colors available


at-home pilates

Move Active

Grip socks are required when using a pilates reformer, but I like to still wear mine when I’m doing any workout on a yoga mat. They keep me in place so I’m not worried about slipping or losing my footing mid-stretch. As a bonus, move Active’s grip socks are moisture-wicking (shoutout to my fellow sweaty girls!) and come in a bunch of on-trend styles, which is always a win in my book.

hydrating lip balm

MEET THE AUTHOR

Bella Gil, Associate Commerce Editor

Because shopping is quite literally her full-time job, Bella is dedicated to making sure you spend your hard-earned money on products you’ll fall in love with. She spends her days testing, researching, and writing about a wide range of topics, from beauty products to rug cleaners and everything in between.