Pilates one-on-one sessions aren’t exactly inexpensive. Group sessions are less expensive, but I’ve found that they don’t provide as much development as more targeted or individualized workouts do. As time goes on, having an at-home Pilates studio, even if it is small and improvised, has become a viable and cost-effective choice for many Pilates practitioners. When it comes to Pilates, having equipment at home is an excellent way to supplement and maintain progress.
It’s possible to get in a few minutes of exercise at the beginning of the day, even when my schedule doesn’t allow for a quick studio session, I only need a mat, a few cups of coffee, and a few pieces of my favorite Pilates equipment to get started. Even though I’m not an expert or even an advanced student, watching fitness videos on YouTube has been a huge assistance when it comes to keeping me motivated during my home workouts. “Homework” is also a big part of what coaches do for students. My first Pilates mat and foam roller were recommended to me by my trainer. Afterwards, he instructed me on five different exercises to aid with my posture, equilibrium, and core stability.
A step-by-step approach to creating your own at-home Pilates studio is provided below:
A mat for exercising on.
If you’re doing Pilates exercises on the floor, such as planks, you’ll need a thicker cushion. With a 15mm thickness, this mat from Fitness Mad provides more support and comfort for the back and palms than other versions on the market today. With no studio space at home, I am able to roll it up and store it without difficulty. Stability and grip can be ensured by using a surface with a ribbed design.
Massive Armor from Hugger Mugger Massive Armour HUGGER MUGGER
A supportive bolster might come in handy when performing specific Pilates movements, such as twists and stretches. Having them around during core-strengthening activities like oblique twists, which can cause back pain, is a personal preference of mine. Hugger Mugger’s regular bolster is firm enough to keep you in fine form. Flat tops give stability, while the grips on either end make it easier to move around.
Exercise Balls of the Standard Type
Despite the fact that an exercise ball isn’t specifically associated with the Pilates method, I find that it comes in handy when I’m doing serious core work. As a result, your muscles are pushed to activate and stabilize your entire body when you use an exercise ball. When performing spine stretches, planks, hundreds, or even a few roll-ups, the Pilates exercise ball comes in handy. URBNFit’s exercise ball is gym-quality and can withstand a lot of weight. A dual-action inflation pump, air stoppers, and workout guidelines are all included in the box.
Miniature Pilates Ball
With a tiny stability ball, you can take your workouts to a whole new level. A medicine ball can help us work muscles we don’t get to use very often during our normal workouts. Specifically, it’s best for targeting the upper and lower arms, as well as the stomach, thighs, and buns. Additionally, they aid in proper posture and alignment. Additionally, the lightweight and adjustable stiffness of the Stott Pilates Mini Pilates Balls make them an excellent choice.
a set of elastic bands
You can’t go wrong with these flexible bands in your at-home Pilates studio. This is a go-to tool for me when I need more resistance or want to stretch my range of motion. The resistance levels of the non-latex bands are indicated by the colors of the bands. TheraBands can be used for a plethora of therapeutic exercises and activities. In addition, they are so light and compact that you may take them with you when you go on vacation.
Rings for Pilates
These seemingly innocuous trinkets, sometimes known as the “Magic Circle,” do wonders for your equilibrium. As a bonus, it works muscles that aren’t used very often by providing just the proper amount of resistance. The 14-inch Pro Body Pilates ring is made of high-quality plastic lamination and soft foam covers for maximum comfort. Handling objects is made more pleasant with the help of ergonomically-designed padded grips.
The Pilates Chair.
The Pilates chair is an excellent tool for shaping the body. You’ll start to feel the burn after just a few minutes in the chair. The spring resistance of this Life’s a Beach Pro Chair can be adjusted in two ways. A pair of split-step pedals can be used to work on both your legs and arms at the same time. Planks, too, are a good fit for them. The padding on the seats, pedals, and hand grips is there to make you as comfortable as possible. Because it folds flat for easy storage, this is an excellent choice for constructing your own studio. Four workout DVDs are included with the Pilates Chair.
Rolling Foam
After purchasing a mat, foam rollers should be the second piece of equipment you purchase for your training routine. It helps to keep the body in optimal alignment. Foam rollers are a great way for me to challenge myself during core exercises and improve my sense of balance. Even after numerous uses, SPRI foam rollers maintain their pristine shape. A medium density roller, such as this one, is excellent for kneading fatigued muscles.
Ladder Barrel in Pilates
The Pilates Ladder Barrel provided me with some of the best stretches and chest-opening movements. Obliques are another area where it has been my go-to tool. Due to the need for absolute stability while exercising on the ladder barrel, I prefer a wooden one. Pine wood was used in the construction of this Pilates Equipment Fitness product. Fine leather is used for the padding and upholstery, and the knobs can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.
An optional Cadillac can be added to the Precision Series Reformer
A reformer allows you to perform an almost limitless number of exercises. First Pilates sessions were done on a reformer, and it was because of its ease-of-use that I became hooked. My coach didn’t begin teaching me Cadillac sequences until much later in my training. This was more tough and exciting for me. While dangling in the air, imagine doing inversions and splits. To use a reformer bed or a full Cadillac, you’ll need enough room and money. When it comes to building a home studio, though, a half Cadillac is an excellent choice.
With four levels of spring resistance, padded foot bars, and cardiac rebounders, AeroPilates’ Precision Series Reformer with Optional Cadillac is a versatile piece of equipment. Hand and foot straps are also included in the package, as well as adjustable head rests and shoulder padding. Roll-down bars, arm and leg springs, and push-through bars are some of the Cadillac features that enhance your exercises.
