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

A good mat is all you truly need to get started doing Pilates at home, says Repa.

“Make sure it’s thick enough to properly cushion you during floor exercises and large enough for you to use for a full range of movements,” says Amands Grimm, a personal trainer and running coach at We Run in London.

We love this mat from Balanced Body. It has standard dimensions for Pilates but is over half an inch thick, giving you plenty of cushioning and taking the pressure off of sensitive joints and bones. The nonslip surface keeps slippery hands and feet in place, and the mat is nonporous, making it easy to wipe down at the end of a sweaty workout.

In our research, users reported that the mat stays flat during sessions. Just note that this extra-plush option may feel less stable than thinner mats. It also likely won’t be compact enough to bring to a studio.

Gripping socks are a key part of keeping you safe during Pilates routines. Horuru Pilates Socks have nonslip dots that keep your feet stable to help you avoid slipping and injury.  Keeping your feet covered also helps with sweat absorption and keeping germs away.

We love the slouchy style that keeps ankles warm and looks cute over leggings, so you can wear them out all day if you want. They come in a variety of colors, including warm brown, bright pink, and pastels.

Users say that they hold up well in the wash and keep feet super secure. Just keep in mind that they’re not very thick and do include polyester and spandex.

Pilates rings are a great way to get the most bang for your buck when building out your home gym. They’re “underrated tools that are useful for helping shape the inner thighs, arms, and abs,” says Repa. “They add light resistance and help you control your posture better.”

Users like this ring's soft foam padding on the handles, which keeps hands comfy. This versatile device comes in vibrant colors like neon pink and aqua green, and with a pamphlet of exercises.

Weighing less than a pound, it tucks easily into a bag. Note that the resistance level wasn’t quite enough for some users.

Resistance bands are a home workout staple. “Lightweight, low cost, and extremely versatile, resistance bands add the right amount of tension to exercises such as leg lifts and bridges, helping you build strength, especially in your glutes and hips,” says Repa.

Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands stand out for their simplicity and value. The set includes five bands, ranging from light to extra heavy, making it easy to progress or adjust your intensity, depending on the exercise. They’re lightweight and portable, so you can toss them in a bag or drawer when not in use.

We love the color selection — choose from shades of berry, blue, pink, and more. While affordable and versatile, some users say that the bands can roll or snap under heavy tension, so it’s worth checking for wear over time.

Most of us are familiar with the soothing powers of a foam roller. Yes4All’s version is made from high-density EVA foam to provide deep muscle release as you recover from a Pilates workout. But it can also be useful for developing balance, alignment, and even core muscle work, says Repa. “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.

The Yes4All EVA Firm Foam Roller can be used for stretches, back extensions, and leg work. The lightweight design makes it easy to reposition during home workouts or tuck away when not in use.

We also love that it comes in multiple lengths. While its firm pressure is ideal for experienced practitioners, beginners might find it intense at first.

The small but mighty Bala Bangles offer an easy, comfortable way to add resistance to your Pilates workouts. Made with steel wrapped in soft silicone, these wearable weights can be worn on your wrists or ankles, providing constant, gentle resistance to your exercises.

The adjustable fit ensures that they stay securely in place during movements like leg lifts and arm circles. At only 1 pound each, they’re easy on beginners and can be used for more than Pilates: Wear them on walks or when performing tasks around the house.

Keep in mind that some users say the Velcro straps lost their grip after a while.

A Pilates ball can also be used for balance and resistance exercises. “It’s an indispensable tool for creating deep muscle tremors,” says Repa. “Use it when performing arm raises and abdominal exercises, or squeeze it between your knees for an additional thigh workout.”

We like that this 9-inch ball doesn’t take up a lot of space and can be easily placed between the legs for resistance exercises. Users also like that it’s soft but holds up well over time. And at less than $10, it’s an incredibly cost-effective addition to your at-home studio.

Designed to intensify core workouts, Bala Capsule Sliders turn movements from static to dynamic and protect your joints at the same time. With these sliders under your feet, you can turn knee-jarring Mountain Climbers into a smooth, core-busting exercise. They add instability and force you to control the sliding motion, which increases muscle engagement, especially in your core and stabilizer muscles. As a result, they can help you to develop controlled, fluid motion — a core principle of Pilates.

We love how versatile these sliders are. Use them for a variety of Pilates exercises, stash them away in your at-home studio, or take them on the go in the matching carrying case. Note that you’ll need to use them on smooth surfaces for the best results.

A reformer is a specialized piece of equipment that you typically find only in a Pilates studio, and it can cost thousands of dollar. The Flo Portable Pilates Reformer brings the benefits of a traditional machine into your home without taking up much space or breaking the bank.

We love the foldable design that allows it to fit under a bed or in a closet, making it ideal for multipurpose rooms. Users say it’s easy to pack in a suitcase and travel with, and they appreciate the Flo Pilates app, which offers guided workouts, progress tracking, and instructional videos.

While the plastic construction may not have the same durability as high-end metal reformers, and full access to the app requires a subscription, the Flo Portable Pilates Reformer still gets our support for being versatile, affordable, and beginner-friendly.