Best Pilates Equipment for an At-Home Studio, Per Instructors

Pilates is one of the most effective and popular workouts right now for its full-body benefits. In addition to building deep core strength and stability, Pilates sharpens body awareness, promotes better posture alignment, and increases mobility—all while being low-impact on aching joints and promoting mind-body connection. But if you’re intimidated by the prices of studios or prefer privacy, doing Pilates in your own home is also shockingly accessible. With just a few pieces of equipment, you can build your own Pilates studio in your house.

“With [just a] few pieces, you can create an incredible amount of variety and progress your workouts without taking up much space,” says Nicolle Lopez-Ellis, a certified Pilates instructor and founder of NuPilates in New Jersey. Get started with a supportive outfit, a well-fitting sports bra, grippy socks, and a mat. “And as you build your at-home practice, you can add resistance bands, a Pilates ball, Pilates ring, or light ankle and wrist weights to create more variety and challenge,” explains Jade Winter, CEO and co-founder of Studio Pilates International, a reformer-based Pilates brand with more than 140 locations worldwide.

Below, with the help of our fitness experts, we broke down the main pieces of Pilates gear, apparel, and accessories to get you started.

“A Pilates mat should provide more cushioning and support than a traditional thin yoga mat, particularly for spinal articulation, kneeling exercises, and side-lying work,” Lopez-Ellis explains. “It should feel supportive without being so soft that it compromises stability.”

Amazon is filled with good options at reasonable prices—just be sure to pick one over 4 millimeters thick for that cushioned feel our pros recommend. However, if you’re interested in a long-term and durable splurge, Stakt’s mats have gone viral for a reason. With 12 mm of thick, soft material, this mat pulls double duty in that, when folded up, it works as a block or extra support for wrists. Plus , even though it’s plushly cushioned, it’s super compact and lightweight, making it easy to store and set up. Those looking for a firmer option might be interested in this one from Lululemon, which we dubbed the best for “general exercise” among our recommendations for yoga mats (general exercise like, yes, Pilates!). If $100 for a mat is pushing your budget, we recommend this perfectly cushioned option from Gruper, which nabbed our title of “best travel mat,” in the same roundup for under $30.

Gruper Exercise Mat with Carrying Strap

“Pilates isn’t about picking up the heaviest dumbbell possible,” says Lopez-Ellis, who recommends weights in the 3- to 5-pound range. “Light hand weights and wearable wrist or ankle weights can add resistance without completely changing the intention of an exercise,” she explains.

Her current go-to? The wearable Bala Bangles, which are also favorites of ours for their ease of use (just put them on and forget they’re there!). Not sure which resistance will be best for you? Lopez-Ellis suggests a set with multiple options, so you can start light and build up as you train.

Another of our picks: Stakt hand weights, which contributing writer Shauna Beni credits with improving and simplifying her at-home Pilates workouts. “Because they’re adjustable, you can switch between 2, 4, and 6 pounds using a single base, eliminating the need for multiple sets of weights,” Beni previously wrote. “They’re also designed with a soft silicone grip, making them comfortable to hold without gloves.” Not sure you want to splurge on brand name hand weights? Amazon Basics has a set of three under $40 that our pros say work just as well.

Bala Bangles (2-Pound Wrist & Ankle Weights Set)

Stakt Adjustable Hand Weights

Amazon Basics Hexagon Dumbbell Set

A reformer is a versatile machine that can take Pilates to the next level, as it decreases impact on your joints while increasing flexibility, stamina, and strength with additional pressure in new places. It’s a large investment, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad one. Recent research has shown that Pilates reformer exercise is associated with greater shoulder and lower back strength, plus a decreased chance of falling in people over 65. Plus, reformers also allow you to break a sweat without causing unnecessary joint pain.

As for what to look for in an at-home reformer, Lopez-Ellis says she likes a “carriage that glides smoothly and quietly, a frame that feels extremely stable, quality springs that provide consistent resistance, comfortable padding, and adjustable components that accommodate different bodies.” Her favorite for home is the Your Reformer Original while she stocks her own studio with reformers from Balanced Body.

Your Reformer Original Foldable Reformer

Balanced Body Studio Pilates Reformer with 36-Inch Infinity Footbar

Airlithe Foldable Wooden Pilates Reformer

When choosing Pilates apparel, our pros recommend breathable fabrics that move easily but are fitted enough to see your alignment. “I would avoid overly loose clothing and pieces with bulky zippers, buttons, buckles, or hardware that can become uncomfortable or interfere with the equipment,” explains Lopez-Ellis.

“Pilates involves moving through a range of positions, so you want something comfortable and supportive,” adds Winter. “It doesn’t necessarily need to be designed for high-impact exercise.”

Though your favorite pair of leggings can probably work, my own personal favorites are currently from Athleta, which recently released a second-skin feel Pilates line called Transcend. When it comes to top-tier athleisure, Lululemon and Alo Yoga are editor-favorite picks, too.

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Athleta Transcend Zero Legging

Lululemon Like a Cloud Longline Bra

Alo Yoga Seamless Ribbed Tank

“Grip socks are another Pilates staple for me because they improve traction on equipment while providing an additional hygiene benefit in studios,” says Lopez-Ellis. Her favorite brands are currently Tavi and Barreletics. “Look for a snug fit with good grip coverage across the bottom of the foot,” adds Winter. Our overall favorite from our best Pilates socks recommendations is also personal favorite of mine—the Bombas Gripper Ankle Socks. They’re snug and padded for comfort and have great arch support.

Tavi Savvy Non-Slip Pilates Socks

Barreletics Smarter Than Grip Socks

Bombas Gripper Ankle Socks

Other additional accessories and gear you might consider adding: yoga blocks, resistance bands, or a Pilates ball. Lopez-Ellis likes rounding out her Pilates workouts by “incorporating functional strength training, using tools such as resistance bands, light dumbbells, weighted balls, and suspension equipment. No matter what equipment I’m incorporating, I still want to see control, alignment, breath, stability, mobility, and intentional movement,” she says.

For resistance bands, Associate Commerce Editor Hannah Jeon is a big fan of this set from Theraband, saying they made her strength training workouts “so easy.” The Gaiam yoga blocks are my favorite. And if you’re looking for a low-investment set of accessories, Amazon has plenty of options.

Theraband Resistance Band Set

Now 13% Off

Gaiam Essentials Yoga Block (Set of 2)

HGKZJSL Pilates Kit

Now 33% Off

Pilates offers a wide range of benefits including, mind-body connection, strength, mobility, stability, and alignment. “It can be particularly valuable as we get older, when maintaining strength, balance, and mobility becomes increasingly important,” says Winter. “And Pilates can be a great way to work on all three. The beauty of Pilates is that movements can be modified for different bodies, abilities, and experience levels. You don’t need to have exercised your entire life to begin.”

We spoke to Nicolle Lopez-Ellis, certified Pilates instructor and CEO/founder of NuPilates in New Jersey, and Jade Winter, CEO and co-founder of Studio Pilates International, a reformer-based Pilates brand with more than 140 locations worldwide. We also referenced our existing recommendations for the best pilates socks and the best pilates reformers, as well as solicited editor picks from our Pilates-obsessed Prevention writers.