10 Best At-Home Pilates Equipment Pieces to Build a Studio-Quality Routine

The key to any at-home Pilates practice is a good mat. You’ll want a mat that has enough cushion that your joints won’t ache when on all fours, and ideally, it will be non-slip, so you don’t have to worry about sliding around when you work up a sweat. The Majestic Carpet Yoga Mat from Liforme meets this criteria and more, winning our vote as the best at-home Pilates mat.

The first thing you’ll surely notice about this mat is its appearance. It comes in various vibrant jewel tones and has a pretty geometric design. The design has more function than just aesthetics, too. It can also provide alignment cues, ensuring your positioning remains balanced during extra-tough poses. “It’s also got an amazing grip; it does not slide around at all,” Everyday Health editor Simone Scully said after testing it. She also appreciated its non-toxic materials. The biggest drawback? At $195, this mat is a splurge. It also isn’t a fit for those who want a plain or neutral mat.

Grip socks are required in nearly every Pilates studio to ensure you maintain some grip on the Pilates reformer and to keep things hygienic when sharing equipment. But even when you’re practicing at home, grip socks help you keep a grip on the props you’re using. We love Pointe Studios’ various grip socks, particularly their Happy Sock.

Everyday Health writer Brittany Vargas tried out these socks and fell in love. “They’re soft and comfy, and seem very well made, like they will last,” she shared. She also noted that the smiley face on the toe was a nice touch. “They really do make me smile.” We get that the smiley face design may not be for everyone, and pilates socks aren’t a necessity for at-home sessions — consider them more of a nice-to-have. That said, we think they’re a game-changer for keeping you from slipping and sliding around during your at-home session.

The Pilates ring can seem like a mysterious thing. It is just a slim ring that looks innocuous, yet any seasoned Pilates goer will be quick to tell you all about the burn this simple resistance tool supplies. This ring from Your Reformer is lightweight, flexible, and has sturdy, anti-slip accent pads. It has a medium resistance, so it will give both the seasoned and novice practitioners a great workout.

I personally tried out this ring and really loved its design. It comes in pretty, neutral colors and has soft, grippy handles, an improvement over other rings that have foam pads that soak up sweat, giving me a major ick. Those who are entirely new to Pilates will need a bit of instruction to learn how to use it. It will become newcomer-friendly once they have some basic moves down.

I often turn to resistance bands when I find myself outgrowing certain movements and needing an extra challenge, and adding resistance keeps things fresh and exciting. These bands in particular are nice and thick, so they don’t roll or pinch your legs when moving around. I also like that they come in a cute carrying case. Heads up: Resistance bands can be pretty difficult for newcomers, and you may need to do some extra research to learn how to use them. The learning curve is worth the amped up intensity, though.

A foam roller is a powerhouse tool that can release deep muscle tension. But, according to Repa, it can also be used to boost balance and alignment. “Try lying on it to align your spine, or use it to relax tense thigh and back muscles. Using a foam roller in some exercises will also provide the effect of working on a Pilates reformer,” she says. This foam roller from Oceanfoam has a unique wave design, making it look gorgeous and providing a massage-like sensation for the body.

I had the opportunity to try this foam roller, and I really loved the way it looks. It was a piece of workout equipment that wasn’t an eyesore if I forgot to put it away, which is good because it doesn’t have the smallest footprint. That said, I would be remiss if I didn’t share that foam rollers can be extremely intense when first using them. If you feel challenged the first few times, hang in there. It gets easier the more you use it.

As you get deeper into your at-home Pilates practice, you’ll quickly learn that wrist weights are a holy grail prop. You can pop them on your ankles to amp up any glute exercises you’re working on, or you can toss them on your wrists while doing some simple arm movements. We love this set from Bala. It is cute and made from a nice soft material.

Vargas gets creative with her Bala Bangles, even wearing them while doing household tasks. “It saves me time because I can get a little bit of extra resistance training in while doing regular activities,” she explained. While she’s quick to sing this prop’s praises, she did note that it took her a beat to get used to the feeling of the weights against her wrist. The price point is a bit high, too, but we feel the benefits of this product make it all worth it.

Traditional Pilates work often focuses on bodyweight first, then adding in light props like small weights, bands, and the classic ring. There are some Pilates sequences that will call for a set of hand weights. The Grind dumbbell from Nike is our pick thanks to its anti-slip grip and unique shape that keeps it from rolling away when placed on a flat surface.

Vargas loved their aesthetically pleasing speckled design and appreciated that they are made from 20 percent recycled materials. Above all, she was keen on their function. “The center grips can help prevent slipping when sweating,” she shared. It isn’t uncommon for Pilates workouts to call for super light weights — we’re talking 1 to 2 pounds. The lightest available from this set is 2.5 pounds, so if you need something lighter, we suggest opting for the Bala Bangles. Keep an eye on the pricing, too. The website shows the price per dumbbell, but notes they are sold in quantities of two.

Another classic prop is the Pilates ball. This is a small inflatable ball you can place between your thighs, behind the small of your back, between your hands, or even behind your knee to add extra resistance. It is a fun and easy way to spice up your at-home routine. This ball from BetterMe is compact, lightweight, and has a nice non-slip material, making it our pick as the best at-home Pilates ball.

A solid at-home Pilates set-up isn’t just about the equipment you use while working out. It is equally important to consider the clothes you’ll be wearing. The Alo Airbrush leggings offer medium compression and opaque, moisture-wicking material. They stay in place no matter what pose you find yourself in, making them an obvious pick for our favorite Pilates leggings.

I wear these leggings to do a lot more than just Pilates, from running to the grocery store to chasing after my 1-year-old. The thick material is durable but still breathable, so they don’t get too hot. I’ve found them to be excellent quality and well worth the price tag, which is aligned with other high-end athletic brands. That said, they are made from nylon. For those who prioritize natural fibers, this may be a deal-breaker. The inseam is quite long. I am 5-foot-10, and there is about an inch of scrunched material at my ankles. I don’t mind the look and am thankful to finally find some full-length leggings, but this may prove troublesome for those on the shorter side.

Sliders are an excellent mat Pilates prop because they can increase muscle engagement, especially in your core and glutes. While many sliders are round circles that come in black or gray, these Bala sliders have a wide oval shape and come in black, pink, light blue, and sage green. The wide shape is great for those who have bigger feet, and the colors will appeal to those who want their equipment to match their personal aesthetic.

A nice bonus to these sliders is that they come in a cute mesh bag. This means you don’t have to worry about hunting down a lost slider. We also aren’t mad at the low price point. You will have to make sure you use these on a smooth surface, and they aren’t exactly beginner-friendly. You’ll have to have some knowledge of how to modify exercises to include sliders, and those exercises tend to require a high level of strength.

I’ve selected a Pilates ball, weights, and a ring for this list — all essential props to have in your at-home setup. If you’re ready to dive right in, I recommend snagging this prop starter kit from Your Reformer that has all of the above: a ball, ring, and 2-pound hand weights.

I love the colors this set comes in, including mocha (my choice), cheery yellow, bright blue, muted rose, and other options. While the set was super straightforward for me to use as an experienced practitioner, it would be nice to have some instructions for those who are newer to Pilates. The set only comes with 2.2-pound weights. If you’re looking for heavier weights, you can purchase up to 6.6-pound weights separately.

I love a good reformer class. The camaraderie of being in a small group of others working as hard as possible, coupled with the precise instruction from an experienced teacher, has made for incredible progress in my Pilates practice. But I am a new mom, so scheduling a class is difficult. Plus, classes can run over $30 each, and that adds up fast. Luckily, BetterMe created an alternative for folks in my position: a foldable at-home reformer.

This aesthetically pleasing reformer is compact yet includes spring resistance, which is a key component of a traditional reformer. I loved how easy it was to store away, especially since I live in a small space. I was able to adapt plenty of my reformer moves I learned in class to this, so it was easy to get a good workout in. That said, it may be a bit more difficult for a newcomer to figure out. You can download the BetterMe app to access workouts that are tailored specifically to this reformer.