Recommended Equipment

Check here what equipment you'll need when taking a live class!

For all Mat based classes you'll need an exercise mat and for Barre a chair or equivalent to use as a barre. If you're taking a video class all equipment needed can be found listed in the video description.

Why extra equipment? Adding small equipment and props is a great way to either adapt an exercise or add balancing challenge, resistance and intensity. They can also be used as feedback tools to help with your technique and alignment.

Below you'll find a list of the variety of equipment we'll be using over the currently running block. Please note, you won't necessarily need all the equipment listed in each class of the block. You can also try substitute with household items, such as weights with tins of beans or water bottles, and a small/medium ball with a rolled up thick towel.

Want to learn more and where to buy?

View our recommendations

Props we often use

Pilates classes

A cushion for comfort if you like
A block or half foam roller if any wrist issues
Optional light/medium weights x2 (0.5-1kg)
Optional stretch band, strap or circle for stretches
We may incorporate other props such as the circle or mini ball, but if you don't have something, I'll give you alternatives what you may use as a substitute

Pilates with Small Equipment

Each block explores different pieces of equipment

Massage & Stretch / Balance

Hedgehog
Full roller (full length or shorter)
Tennis ball
Small spiky ball
For Balance class you need a half foam roller and ideally a hedgehog too
You don't need all of the above, but it's great to have variety!

Barre and Barre+Core

Pilates circle (ideal), or a small/medium ball or cushion to squeeze into
Optional hedgehog for balancing
Stretch band and a loop stretch band (you can substitute with tights for example)
Optional light-heavy weights x2 (0.5-1.5kg)
Something to use as a barre, such as bannister or a piece of furniture
Please note we don't use all the props for each class

Full Body Burn

Pilates circle, or a small/medium ball or cushion to squeeze into
Stretch band and a separate loop stretch band if you have one (you can substitute stretch band with tights for example, or weights in some exercises)
Optional light-heavy weights x2 (0.5-1.5kg)
Optional foam roller (half or full)
Optional large gym ball
If needed: a cushion, a block or half roller if any wrist issues
Please note we don't use all the props for each class

Equipment

Elevate your practice!

Learn about the different pieces of small equipment, how they are used and which ones we recommend. Please note, we are not affiliated with any of the products listed. We either share the equipment we use, or show you examples on Amazon to help you with your decision what to buy.

Exercise Mat

For comfort we recommend a good quality thicker Pilates mat. This is down to personal preference though, for example Anna prefers a thin yoga mat. If you go for a thinner mat, look for one with good grip.

For example, this thicker mat from Amazon is a good choice. JLL Yoga Mat Extra Thick, £24.99

Foam Rollers

Foam rollers are excellent, multifunctional tools. You can use them for foam rolling (massaging the muscles), for balance practice, as feedback tool for alignment and to add challenge to mat exercises. For mat exercises you need a full length roller (38"). If you are a beginner, go for a half roller, also known as D shape roller. For foam rolling a shorter full roller works fine and there are plenty of affordable options on Amazon. If you are new to foam rolling, we recommend one with a smooth surface. If you already have one that has little bumps on it, you can of course use it. It's just a bit more intense.

We recommend these full length rollers from Physical Studio. You can get the full one (6"x38") and half ones (D shape 3"x38"). Club Core Foam Rollers -Blue, from £18.64

Small Weighted Balls

Adding a bit of weight is a great way to take your toning to the next level! Ideal for adding heat to warm ups and increasing intensity on the mat or at the barre. Normal dumbbells will work fine too, but the benefit of the soft balls is that you can easily hold them between your ankles too.

We love these balls from Physical Company and you can get them either a pair of 0.5kg, 1kg or 1.5kg each. We recommend starting off with the lighter 0.5 kg ones. You can always get heavier ones later on! You can also look for alternatives on Amazon. Weighted Soft Pilates Balls -A Pair, from £9.13

Hedgehog, Massage Balls

We absolutely love hedgehogs! and we're sure you will too They are amazing for balance exercises as well as for massaging tense and sore muscles.

We use Physical Company ones, however they do come in a pack of 6. If you don't want to get that many, go for alternatives from Amazon. For comfort we like a bit of softness in the hedgehog, some hedgehogs can be quite hard which make them more intense as massage tools. Here's an option we found on Amazon that's received good reviews from our students: 5 Colours Half Round Massage Ball, £8.01.

We also recommend getting a tennis ball or a small spiky massage ball to add variety to your Massage & Stretch classes. They are great for releasing stubborn muscle knots. If you are new to foam rolling and using massage balls, we recommend you start with a hedgehog and a smooth foam roller. Tennis ball/spiky ball might be too intense to begin with!

Pilates Circle/Ring (Magic Circle)

Yet another fantastic piece of kit! The Pilates Circle (also known as Magic Circle or Pilates Ring) is amazing for toning your arms and your legs. You can squeeze into it with your hands, or hold it between your thighs or ankles. The circle can also be used as an aid when stretching. We love using the circle both in Pilates and Barre classes.

There are plenty of options on Amazon. Keep in mind though, that with the lower the cost options, the circle will most likely offer less resistance. The cheaper ones may also make little cracking noises. For beginners a lower cost option is absolutely fine, but spending a few pounds more will give you a tool you can enjoy for longer. Ones with flat cushion pads tend to be slightly larger, ones with rounded pads are often smaller circles. If you are a bit shorter or have shorter legs, you may prefer a smaller circle. However, the flatter cushion pads may feel more comfortable when the circle is between your thighs.

Not really a surprise, our favourite one is again from Physical Company. It has comfortable flat pads and provides a good and smooth resistance. Pilates Power Ring, £17.94

Pilates Mini Ball and Gym Ball

A Mini Ball (also known as Pilates ball, or overball) can be a great alternative to using a Pilates Circle. You can use it the same way as a circle to tone your arms and legs. The circle will provide more resistance though compared to a ball. The Mini Ball has another benefit to them though; they provide stability challenge to mat exercises making your core work extra hard, as well as help you align your legs if you have issues your knees turning inward.

Mini Balls come in a few different sizes: most often 7-8" (18-20cm) and 10" (25cm). The smaller one is great for aligning and it gives a real balance challenge when placed under your lower back. The 10" one works nicely as a circle substitute when pressed into using your hands or your legs. When used for balancing under the back or hips, beginners will most likely find the bigger ball a bit more manageable.

Not sure which one to get? Amazon sells affordable sets of each size, for example this one: 66fit - Pilates Balls Set of 2, £10. If you only need a small ball; Soft Pilates Ball, £5.94. Want to get a medium ball? Here's some options; 10" Trinity Ball, £7.14 or this one from Amazon Overball 25 cm Blue Red Yellow Pilates Ball Gym Ball, £4.28.

A large Gym Ball (also known as Fit, Swiss, Stability or Exercise Ball), adds fun variety to Pilates exercises. You can also perform seated exercises on it. Choose the size based on your height. Height 5'0" to 5'5" -> 55cm/22" ball, height 5'6" to 5'11" -> 65cm/26" ball, height 6'0" to 6'3" -> 75cm/30". There are plenty to choose from online, for example this one on Amazon: REEHUT Exercise Ball, 55cm, £12.99

Stretch Bands, Blocks, Cushions

Stretch bands can be used to add resistance, or to adapt an exercise to make it more manageable if you struggle with it. If you make a loop of it, it's a great way to make your legs work harder in squats and one leg kicks or box swimming.

You can buy individual ones from Physical Company at varying resistance levels, for example: SupaFlex X-Band, Beginner (Pink), £3.53. Amazon sells sets of 3 offering a light, medium and hard resistance options, for example: ERUW Resistance Bands Set of 3, £10.90. Sometimes we use the band as a loop, and you can just tie a normal one into a loop. For added comfort and convenience, you can also purchase loop stretch bands made out of fabric: Elvire Sport Fabric Resistance bands (Set of 3), £15.99.

Blocks are great for modifying exercises to make them more comfortable, for example if you have issues with your wrists. It's a good idea get one or two thick and slimmer blocks. They are often sold as pairs. Alternatively you can use books and cushions from your home. Examples from Amazon: thick yoga blocks (Yoga bricks) H&S 2 x Yoga Block, £9.99 and slim ones (great for sitting on) Yogamatters Yoga Block, £7