Best Equipment for Home Workouts
In light of the recent pandemic, many people are turning to home Pilates workouts to preserve not only their strength but inner peace. Doing quality workouts at home can require a few pieces of equipment, so we came up with a list of our favorite Pilates equipment for home workouts to support your practice.
When we originally furnished our studio, we came to the realization that most exercise equipment is made of synthetic materials, plastics, and PVC. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of alternative options on the market, so we did our best to minimize this in our studio as much as possible. If you are wanting to avoid these materials altogether, there is nothing wrong with using simple household goods to challenge your body (steps, pillows, bottles, cans, etc.), and we'll list out these alternatives below.
1. Exercise/Yoga Mats
We use an exercise/yoga mat in almost every group class at Whole Pilates, and our instructors often utilize them during private sessions as well. You'll never regret having a mat at your home for workouts, stretching, or even playtime with the kids.
Mats range from $15 to $150 in price depending on the quality of the material. The good news is that we are seeing more and more environmentally friendly mats on the market today. Although these options may be more expensive, it ultimately provides a much more enjoyable workout that avoids breathing in the emissions of toxic substances in the mat. Since this is a staple in almost every workout routine, we encourage you to splurge and get something you'll really enjoy.
Product recommendations:
In our studio, we use Balance Body Mats. These mats come in a variety of styles to meet your needs and are ideal for many different types of movements and stretching.
Eco-Wise Pilates Mat: Lightweight and resilient, these environmentally friendly mats provide optimum cushioning support for joints and aids in various exercises. They are free from latex, PVC, phthalates, and chloride.
Eco-Wise Flat Mat: The Flat Mat has many of the same benefits as their Pilates Mat except it is thinner and made for people who practice on the carpet. This mat is also good for those who travel often and are looking for a lightweight option.
Other Non-toxic Yoga Mat brands:
2. Exercise Ball
Exercise balls help to strengthen and stretch the body, improving core stability and balance. We use exercise balls in some of our Pilates mat classes, mainly in our Pilates for Pregnancy and our Pilates for Postpartum classes because they give extra support for moms while they're working out.
Product recommendations:
Gymnic® Classic Plus Exercise Ball: We like this ball because it's made with both therapy and exercise in mind, creating a more durable and versatile ball. It's also latex and phthalate-free. They come in different sizes, so be sure to use the chart on their site to determine which one is the best for you based on your height.
DynaPro: This is a typical exercise ball with a little less durability and versatility, but the price point is also a little lower if you aren't looking for something as robust. Most people find that a 65cm ball is a good size.
Household options:
For most exercises, you don't have to use an exercise ball to complete the same workouts. Many times the movements can be modified by merely laying on the floor, sitting in a chair, or standing against a wall.
3. Light Hand Weights or Weighted Balls
We use both hand weights and weighted balls at Whole Pilates in our Pilates, Barre, and Rebounding classes.
Product recommendations:
Light Weight Exercise Balls for Yoga and Pilates Training by Merrithew™: Weighted balls offer a more open grip that can be helpful for people with carpal tunnel or other gripping issues. These weights come in 1, 2, and 3 pounds, which make them ideal for low impact workouts that focus on form and repetition.
CAP Cast Iron Dumbbells: For dumbbells, we recommend looking for a light set when doing endurance training with higher repetitions and a heavy set that is used for workouts focused on increasing strength. A set of three (light, medium, and heavy) is a nice option to give you some variety in your home workouts. In the studio, we use CAP Cast Iron Dumbbells covered in neoprene for a more comfortable grip. If you prefer something without a synthetic grip, you can try cast-iron weights with rubber ends only.
Household options:
If you don't have weights readily available, grab your favorite canned foods from your pantry and get your workout on!
4. Yoga Block
In Pilates classes, we use yoga blocks to support difficult poses or stretches so that we don't go further than our body is ready for. In barre classes, we often use blocks as steps to create more of a challenge for our core and hip stabilizers. Blocks can be made from foam, bamboo, wood, or cork so many times you can find an excellent natural option.
Manduka Lean Cork Yoga Block: We like Manduka blocks because they are not only affordable, but this one is made entirely out of cork. They are comfortable and pliable, while still giving you optimal grip and secure traction.
Household options:
If you're looking for an object in the home to help increase your stabilization, balance, and flexibility, try a small stool, book, or pillow.
5. Ballet Barre
Our Barre classes bring the worlds of fitness and dance together by combining standing barre exercises with upper and lower body movements that build strength, balance, and endurance to condition the entire body.
Product recommendations:
Free-Standing Ballet Barres by Vita Vibe: This is the barre we use at the studio for our group classes. It comes in a variety of sizes, it's lightweight, portable, and some models easily breakdown and fit into a carrying case for home or travel use.
Household options:
If you don't want a barre in your house, you can also use a high-back chair to assist you.
6. Resistance Bands
A signature piece of equipment in our Barre class is our resistance bands. They are incredibly useful, versatile, affordable, and portable training tools that offer a significant advantage to fitness routines and rehabilitative exercises. Bands are a great thing to add to your home equipment list because they require very little space to store.
Product recommendations:
REP Band® and REP Band Tubing: We use these bands because they are durable while also providing a latex-free alternative for resistive exercise.
7. Small Pilates Ball
Incorporating a mini-exercise ball helps to improve the strength of your abs and lower back. The small Pilates ball is a favorite among our Barre and Pilates classes.
Product recommendations:
Balanced Body: This is the inflatable Pilates ball we use at Whole Pilates. It ranges from 8-10" and works great as a proprioception tool.
LO ROX Aligned Life™ Body Sphere: This Pilates ball is another excellent option with great reviews.
8. Rebounder
Rebounding is a win-win exercise. The low impact workout boosts energy levels and stimulates the lymphatic and immune systems while toning muscles and improving cardiovascular capacity. When picking a rebounder, it's tempting to go with a cheap option. However, we encourage you to do your research first. Many small trampolines are not built the same way or have the same warranties. Poor quality trampolines and rebounders can be harder on your joints and not hold up well over time.
Product recommendations:
Cellerciser: This is the rebounder we use at Whole Pilates. Each rebounder is built with steel and no bungee cords. They also have the option to purchase a balancing bar to attach for stability.
ReboundAir: Also made with high-quality materials, this company offers three different types of rebounders. A basic rebounder with no fold, a half folding model, and a quarter folding model.
Bellicon: The Bellicon has over 400,000 possible configurations, so every Bellicon is custom-assembled to ensure that you get the bounce performance, model, style, and color that fits you perfectly.
9. Foam Roller
Foam rolling helps to relieve muscle tightness, soreness, and inflammation, while increase joint range of motion. We use these during some of our classes and sessions. However, many people enjoy having one at home to use before and after workouts.
OPTP® Silver AXIS® Moderate Foam Roller: We use this roller in the studio because it's ideal for self-massage, myofascial release, and stretching in Pilates.
10. Myofascial Massage Ball
Myofascial balls come in a variety of sizes to accommodate various body areas. These balls effectively isolate problem areas in the body and enable you to make permanent changes that increase your flexibility and eliminate pain.
OPTP®Balls for Body Work: OPTP balls are our top choice. They come in three sizes to accommodate various body areas, and they can be inflated or deflated as needed to adjust size or firmness.
Don't want to work out alone? We hear you! Just because you can't make it to the studio doesn't mean you can't connect with others. Consider joining one of our virtual classes. We offer virtual private sessions and group classes that you can do without leaving the house! Check out the details here!