Great Fitness Equipment to use for Online Pilates Classes

Quite a few Pilates studios have closed their physical space and moved their classes and/or sessions online in the wake of Covid-19. And even after many have started to open back up, they’ve found some clients requesting to keep the online classes going until they feel things are a bit safer (or some like them so much that they want to keep them indefinitely!). In my Mooresville, North Carolina studio, Radiant Pilates, I’ve had clients ask to expand our class schedule even as the studio plans to open in July.

This post began as an email for my clients to give them a list of possibilities for use in their live online private and duet sessions as well as for their online classes. As I began to write I realized that there are probably other students out there who would also like to know some of the options available to use at home for an online class. So the email became this blog post.

Some of our clients have traditional Pilates apparatus in their homes like reformers, chairs, or towers. It’s a great investment for the long term but also very expensive and takes up quite a bit of space. And it’s not portable if you do online sessions while on vacation! While many of the tools below can be used with apparatus, this post is primarily for those who do not have this professional studio equipment at home.

First of all, when it comes to online classes (and in the studio!), you don’t necessarily need anything but yourself! You can get a great session without any equipment (other than a computer, smart phone, or tablet), although you need to make sure the floor will be comfortable and safe and not slippery. And also make sure there is enough cushion if you have tender parts of the body like knees or hips.

Pilates Mat

That being said, if you were to invest in one piece of equipment, a mat would be fantastic. A mat not only gives a barrier between you and your floor, but it gives a point of reference for your body in space and in relation to many of the exercises. Pilates mats are generally a little thicker than yoga mats, but a yoga mat will do. If you have tender knees (or other parts of your body), you may want to opt for the thicker mat. There are many places to buy mats. My favorites are from the companies who also make Pilates apparatus like Balanced Body, Stott Pilates (Merrithew), or Peak Pilates (among others). But you can find a good Pilates mat many places.

Magic Circle

In legend the magic circle was first created by Joseph Pilates for his clients from the rings around beer kegs. It’s an incredibly flexible tool–used to build strength, flexibility, and mental and physical focus–and not super expensive. It is my top tool of choice for use with mat Pilates. My favorite circle itself happens to be Balanced Body’s Regular Ultra-Fit 15 Circle (15 inch) but there are plenty of other options. Just make sure you read reviews if you can find them to make sure the circle you want to purchase is sturdy and durable.

Hand Weights

One to three pound hand weights are small, but powerful additions to a mat workout to add challenge. These smaller weights are ideal for Pilates but can also function well for sculpting or hybrid classes. If you don’t have weights already or don’t want to buy them, use some canned goods cans. They can provide some challenge as well! As you build strength and stamina, you have the option of adding weight in small increments. Have your instructor guide you in this. For Pilates itself, generally three pounds is the heaviest you will need. Weights are readily available online, in sports stores, as well as with retailers like Target.

Yoga Strap

Yoga straps are an inexpensive and easy way to work with stretch and tread gently where and when your body needs to do so. Almost any yoga strap is fine and in a pinch a long belt can do the trick. They are readily available online and in many retailers.

Stability Ball

Stability or physio balls are incredible for amping up any workout as well as building core strength and balance. In addition, they can be used to simulate exercises on the reformer and wunda chairs. They are fairly inexpensive and can be bought many places. In general, what size you need will depend on your height. You may want to ask your instructor what they recommend.

Resistance Bands

I have come to appreciate resistance bands more than ever in teaching online classes. They are lightweight, easy to store (and travel with!), and inexpensive. Physical therapists commonly use these bands for rehabilitation but they are excellent for anyone in strength training and stretching. They also can make even familiar Pilates exercises seem new. There are a variety of resistance bands, including loops and tubes, as well as accessories such as handles to use with them. A good set of resistance bands can provide a makeshift, super-portable gym!

The most versatile is the simple band that many generically call TheraBands, but it is also the brand name of my favorite among resistance bands. The beginner set of yellow, red, and green is perfect for beginners and more advanced students in most Pilates classes. In hybrid and other classes focused more on strength training, some–especially those more experienced–may want the blue, black, and silver pack to provide more resistance.

Foam Roller

Foam rollers have gained popularity–and rightly so–for their ability to help relieve muscle tightness and soreness and inflammation as well as increase range of motion. This alone makes them a valuable tool for an online workout. In addition they can be used throughout a Pilates mat class to bring inspiration and variety to familiar mat exercises, simulate some studio apparatus exercises, and enliven the engagement with core strength and balance for all levels of students. They are fairly portable and not too expensive. Many online and physical retailers provide good choices. My personal favorites for classes are made by OPTP. For many of my clients I especially like their soft roller, but that roller is not suitable for every purpose or every body’s needs. Your instructor would be a good person to ask for suggestions.

So here is one range of options for your workouts–mat, magic circle, hand weights, yoga strap, stability ball, resistance bands, and foam roller. There are a myriad of other worthy options (and I may do a post on them as well), but these are my favorites right now and seem to work well with my students. I’d love to hear from other instructors with what works well for them as well as students. In the end, consult with your instructor on the props that they recommend for your specific body and goals. Many of my students can benefit from any of the these, and while I may give a recommendation, what they find intriguing and want to try–provided it will work with their body–is fair game. These tools can make workouts more exciting and most importantly–more fun!