When they first get started, many of my virtual clients believe they have no workout equipment at home. Turns out, most of them DO have more than they realize!
Even if you don’t have actual home workout equipment for your Pilates practice, you can find everyday items that might not be as pretty, but work well enough to incorporate into your workouts!
If you feel like adding to your home Pilates studio, great quality is worth springing for. The prices tend to reflect their worth, and good equipment will last you a LONG time. Cost per use is something to really consider, which is why all of my suggestions for the best home workout equipment for your Pilates practice are things you can get a lot of use from, so they’re worth splurging on. Here’s a list of my top 5 favourite small equipment pieces and their practical home replacements:
1. Weights. You PROBABLY already have some, but if you really, REALLY don’t, cans are always a great option. Beans? Tomato puree? Soup? They might be on the lighter side, but if you’ve ever done class with me, you KNOW, they get heavy fast!! If you’re buying some, I recommend 1 – 2 lb weights, max. You tend to cheat the heavier they get.
2. Gliding disks. Oh, you don’t know what these are?? You WILL! If you don’t have a set of these little plastic ‘plates’, grab a couple of face cloths and find some uncarpeted floor, and you’ll feel how awesome these are!! You can use them to mimic a lot of work on the Reformer. They don’t take up a lot of space, but they give you a great workout.
3. Mini Ball. I LOVE THE MINI BALL. It’s supportive, yet unstable. Cute and innocent, yet so highly effective! If you don’t THINK you have one of these, find any ball your children, grandkids, or dog has that’s 8” to 10” diameter. If you really can’t find one, you can always use a rolled-up bath towel. Not as effective, but still works to squeeze, sit or lie on, with a little instability. If you’re splurging for one, try to find one that’s a little grippy instead of perfectly smooth – it’s a little easier to work with.
4. Yoga block. You can use the yoga block for some of the work of the mini ball, but it’s also great for support. Don’t have one? Find a sturdy book (I’d try to keep away from a paperback, but it’ll work if you don’t actually have a hardcover). The thicker the better, but if you don’t have Anna Karenina lying around, it’s still good! If you’re splurging, I suggest a cork block. There’s a little more weight to it, which can provide more challenge but also keeps it a lot more stable than a foam block.
5. FlexBand. I really love the flexband (aka Therapy Band, TheraBand, resistance band, etc.). If you don’t have one, PLEASE get one. You can use them for everything. They fit anywhere. They weigh next to nothing. They’re also cheap (although, you do normally get what you pay for. Try to go about 3” wide and 6’ long for the most versatile usage).
Don’t have one? Grab a pair of yoga pants. I KNOW YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE PAIR OF YOGA PANTS. They’re stretchy, they’re pretty long (even capris could work!), and they’re better than nothing. This, though, I would really recommend purchasing. You can get them online or at a physiotherapy clinic.
I don’t recommend the short, thin ones at Winners or Walmart that come in a 3-pack, simply because they don’t tend to be long enough or wide enough to truly be useful. They DO sell loops of the same material and they’re great, so if you see one of those, pick it up. It saves you tying your long band to accomplish the same thing! Having both is convenient!
A few bonus props I love don’t really have a home replacement, so you’d have to splurge on them:
Foam Roller. How I love the foam roller. It’s not just for stretching! It gets into every muscle fibre when you incorporate it into your workout. Try not to get one that’s too hard. If you’re looking for fascial release and stretch, the MELT Soft Roller is ah-mazing, even if it doesn't seem very budget-friendly. It’s worth its weight in gold!
Stability Cushion. I love everything, I know, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Stability Cushion. The green one (it’s the smaller one of the 2 sizes I know Merrithew has) is my favourite. This has the power to transform any exercise into a much more challenging version! It also helps you get into your hips soooo much better in the Side Stretch position…heaven!! There are really SO many ways to incorporate this. Definitely look into this one. Put it on your wish list. Please. Fitness Circle. I have seen knockoffs. I HAVE knockoffs. Nothing is as good as the ones from Merrithew, IMHO. I know some of you see the Circle come out, and cringe, but you and I BOTH KNOW, it’s a mighty powerful little tool. Be sure to get one with padded bits on the inside AND outside of the circle. It makes it easier to hold and way more comfortable.
And last, but certainly not least, the big ones:
The Reformer. I think there are a few brands of them, but the one I do know is the Aero Pilates Reformer. It’s a mini version of a “real” Reformer, that uses bungee cords instead of metal springs, and it’s super low to the ground (think, ‘push it under the bed’ low). It’s a lot cheaper than a full-size Reformer – although if you’re up for it, Costco Online has full home Reformers that are a great price and include a ton of accessories!! If you’re looking for a Classical Reformer, shipping from the States can be crazy and right now there’s about a 10 month wait, if you have the patience. The small ones are also good if you’re tight on space. Some of them come with a trampoline, which is SO MUCH FUN and great cardio. I have even seen these on Kijiji. I do not have any idea which one is the best one, or any other answers to ANY questions about these. I simply know that some of my clients have had them, and they’re a decent alternative to a $3000+ Reformer.
Stability Chair (aka The Wunda Chair). Okay, just one more. The Chair is great when you’re short on space, because you can use it as something you sit on, but it’s also an AMAZING piece of equipment. It’s relatively small but super challenging. This is best if you have a little Pilates experience but it’s nothing we can’t work up to the hard stuff on!
You can find a lot of knockoffs on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace, that are good to test out before you get into the good stuff. Prices typically start from under $100 used, whereas a true Chair starts from $1500. The difference in quality is apparent, but it IS a great way to get started.
So, that’s it! I hope you go searching for – or already have – these fun, effective pieces of home workout equipment for your Pilates practice, virtual or otherwise.
I can’t wait to help you put them to use!
Did I miss anything you love?!?
Xo, Kimberly
p.s. Want to know how small equipment can help improve your Pilates practice? Check out this post!
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