Pilates Equipment for Home: Size & Budget-Based Recommendations
Despite what you might think, time away from my studio because of the COVID-19 pandemic has actually given me a better understanding of the Pilates method and equipment. Yes, absence made my heart grow fonder for my reformer and tower, but I also was forced to think about what equipment and props I like, why I chose them and what I would recommend to clients who want to expand their home practice to involve more than just the mat and a towel. Here are my top equipment recommendations and why.
My Top 4 Recommendations
Tiny Budget with Space in a Drawer: TheraBands
TheraBands can essentially act as tiny, portable reformers and towers when used correctly. They give you great feedback and resistance and take up as much space as socks. If you’re going to invest in props and equipment, they’re the thing to buy if you’re going to spice up your matwork.
Link to buy for 12.- (red or green recommended)
Small Budget and Tight Shoulders with Space in a Closet or Behind a Door: Long Foam Roller
I’ve said before that not all foam rollers are created equal, but let me tell you: long foam rollers are my go-to way to stretch out my chest and hips after a long day. We can do a ton of restorative and stretchy exercises from the apparatuses with a long foam roller, and they also make core work much more challenging. I particularly recommend foam rollers to parents of young babies who are carrying or breastfeeding and people with tight chests from working on a laptop- or just life. And how could I forget runners who want to roll out their legs!
Link to buy for CHF 70.- or here for 38.-
Medium Budget and Tight Shoulders and Back with a Bit of Space in a Back Room: Spine Corrector
I’ll be honest: I was terrified of the spine corrector the first time I saw it. Backbends aren’t naturally my thing and I didn’t think I would feel comfortable using it, especially when I could go on a reformer or chair- but when lockdown went into place, my spine corrector was the first piece of equipment I brought home. If there was one piece of equipment that I thought best addressed lockdown lifestyle, the spine corrector would be it. Have tight shoulders? We’ve got you. Tight hips and hamstrings? Check. Pregnant? We stretch things out on it easier here than a lot of other pieces of equipment.
Big Budget Classical Pilates Lover with Space for a Large Chair: WundaChair
The second piece of equipment I brought home was my WundaChair because we can do a full apparatus routine on it (springs and all) and I didn’t need an entire room to house it. There are a few different models of chairs out there. If you’re thinking about getting one, send me an email and I can give you my recommendations based on things like your weight, the space it will be stored in, your body’s needs, etc.
See different chair models starting at 1,340.- here
What I Don’t Recommend You Purchase for Pilates
Short Foam Rollers
If you want to get the most out of a foam roller, a long foam roller is the way to go. There’re simply more options. It’s kind of like having a basketball with no hoop. You can have a good time, but there are going to be things you’re missing out on.
Gliders
Gliders are fun for some things- but if you have a hardwood floor, I’ve found a towel to be just as effective for the kinds of exercises I teach. Yes, you can do different ab work with gliders, however I’ve noticed people tend to clench their hip flexors on gliders compared to reformers. That’s the opposite of what I want, so I’ve never relied on them heavily, especially given that other props like rollers and towels can get the same effects and are more versatile for my classes.