Build the Best At-Home Pilates Set With These 19 Instructor-Approved Tools

Pilates has a way of making you feel strong, centered, and just the right amount of sore. It’s a big reason that the slow-and-steady modality has won over celebrities like LeBron James, Jennifer Aniston, and Gabrielle Union. 

The best part? You don’t necessarily need a fancy studio to reap the benefits. With the right at-home Pilates set, you can build strength, improve flexibility, and enhance mind-body connection right from your living room. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, having the right gear can elevate your practice and keep your workouts engaging.

From versatile reformers that replicate the studio experience to resistance bands, stability balls, and magic circles that challenge your core in new ways, the Pilates equipment brings studio-quality results to your home—without taking up too much space. Plus, investing in the right tools can help you stay consistent and motivated, making it easier to fit movement into your daily routine.

Below, we’ve rounded up the best Pilates equipment for your home, whether you’re looking to sculpt, stretch, or sweat. Get ready to upgrade your setup and take your practice to the next level—no membership required.

The best at-home Pilates equipment, at a glance:

• Best Pilates mat: RetroSpec 1″ Pilates Mat, $37
• Best foldable mat: Yune Yoga Foldable Suede Mat, $40
• Best Pilates ring: Gaiam Pilates Ring, $15
• Best at-home Pilates set: BetterMe Pilates Essential Kit, $198
• Best at-home Pilates chair: Balanced Body Wunda Chair, $1,450
• Best home smart reformer: Frame Reformer, $3,999
• Best reformer replacement: Lululemon Workout Sliders, $28
• Best simple home reformer: Lagree Micro Deluxe Microformer, $1,890
• Best foldable reformer: Align F3 Folding Pilates Reformer, $2,500
• Best box-and-pole add-on: AeroPilates Box & Pole, $200
• Best ankle weights: Bala Bangles, $55
• Best Pilates ball: Bala Pilates Ball, $29
• Best hand weights: Polyfit Dumbbell Weight Bars $45
• Best grip socks: Bombas Gripper Socks (4-Pack), $57
• Best resistance bands: Sporty & Rich Resistance Bands, $35
• Best Pilates leggings: BeyondYoga Spacedye Caught In The Midi High Waisted Legging, $97
• Best storage for Pilates equipment: Crate & Kids Outline Large Metal Floor Bin, $99
• Best reformer towel: Salt & Honey Non-Slip Pilates Reformer Towel, $40
• Best at-home Pilates class: Alo Moves, $13

What equipment do you need for Pilates at home?

Before we get into it, some distinctions: Reformer Pilates and mat Pilates are the two most common formats of the modality that you’ll see, but there are offshoots—plenty of them. For example, megaformer workouts, which we called as a trend for 2021, are based on Pilates principles—and then dialed up to about 1,000 on the difficulty scale.

This is to say, the equipment that you need depends on which type of Pilates that you want to do, so let’s break these out and give you a quick rundown.

Reformer Pilates

Remember Joseph Pilates? He—and again, this is totally true—configured an early prototype first reformer out of hospital beds in an internment camp during World War II. After the war, he moved to New York, and in earnest created a machine that consists of a weight-loaded carriage that moves backwards and forwards from a base, with a headrest, foot and arm straps to drive the carriage in certain poses, and a foot bar that your push against to execute many movements.

In addition, you can add on accessories to do a variety of different movements. A Pilates box, for example, allows your body to be elevated for a wider-range of motion; a jump board allows you to implement cardio into your workout; a small ball can help to better your alignment in certain poses. In short, an at-home reformer likely comes with all you need to do basic exercises, but if you’re a Pilates enthusiast, you may continue adding to your collection to widen the exercises available to you over time.

Mat Pilates

Floor or mat Pilates is another form of Pilates that you’ll be able to do—perhaps even more easily—at home. While it might be tempting to roll out whatever old workout mat you have, investing in a proper Pilates mat, which tends to be thicker to help support your back and knees in Pilates poses, will be a game-changer for you.

In addition to your mat, in floor Pilates, having a variety of props can help you to try poses that challenge your body in sneaky ways. The Pilates ring, Pilates ball, hand weights, and resistance bands for example can be used as a way to strengthen your arms, thighs, and abs through a variety of exercises. What’s more, many people who don’t have access to a reformer at home will invest in sliders (we have a pick below!), which can mimic the same movements as a reformer.

Shop 19 of the best Pilates equipment for your home

Best Pilates mat: RetroSpec, 1" Pilates Mat — $37.00

This cushy one-inch-thick Pilates mat has a non-slip grip so that when you’re planning you won’t accidentally face plant. It’s also made free of phthalate, heavy metals and latex. It comes with a strap that ensures it doesn’t unfold on you—helping with storage.

Best foldable mat: Yune Yoga Foldable Suede Mat — $40

We’re obsessed with the sleek design of this foldable mat. Light but dense, it’s easy to store under your bed or couch in between workouts–and packs easily into a carry-on if you want to take your Pilates on the road. The mat is on the thinner side so you won’t get the super-plush cushioning that bulkier mats provide, but the synthetic suede is soft yet durable, with a firmer, stickier bottom to help grip any surface.

Best Pilates ring: Gaiam, Pilates Ring — $15.00

This five-star Pilates ring allows you to add resistance to any movement that you’re doing in your Pilates ring. It’s especially good for targeting your core and legs in moves like the roll-up and the bridge. With non-slip handles, the ring is easy to control, no matter your movement.

Best at-home Pilates set: BetterMe Pilates Essential Kit — $198.00 

Skip the studio price tag and bulky equipment–this kit is the perfect at-home Pilates set. Travel friendly and tiny apartment approved, this candy-colored workout kit (which comes in a variety of pastels) gives you everything you need: a Pilates ring, long resistance bands, small loop bands, Pilates ball, and grippy socks. 

Best at-home Pilates chair: Balanced Body Wunda Chair — $1,450

Like the antidote to bulky reformers, the Pilates chair was Joseph Pilates’ original solution for at-home equipment. Based on his original design, the Wunda Chair is considered the “it” chair among Pilates instructors. Featuring the widest range of resistance for any pedal chair (up to 83 lbs!), the spring-loaded system allows you to do all the same Pilates exercises that you’d do on your reformer–without the huge footprint a reformer requires.

Best smart at-home reformer: Frame, Reformer — $3,999.00

If you’ve ever hopped on a digital spin bike or run on a treadmill with an instructor cueing you to go faster or add more incline, you know what this is about. Instructors lead classes across classical, contemporary, megaformer, and restorative Pilates while you follow along. To date, it’s one of the best connected fitness classes I’ve tried because it engages your entire body and makes a fairly intricate practice doable. 

Best reformer replacement: Lululemon, Workout Sliders — $28.00

Reformers operate on a push-pull system where you send the carriage out and then bring it back. A good set of sliders can mimic the movement and make it even more challenging for you because you don’t have an easy gliding operating system to work with. We like these from Lululemon, which work on hard surfaces like wood flooring or can be flipped over to the plastic side to work on carpet.

Best simple home reformer: Lagree, Micro Deluxe Microformer — $1,890.00

Sebastian Lagree created Lagree Fitness which can best be described as a form of incredibly athletic Pilates (though to be clear, it’s distinctly its own thing). While his megaformer machines are beastly, lining the halls of places like SLT (billed the hardest workout in NYC), his at-home machine, the microformer allows you to take the machine home. 

Best foldable reformer: Align F3 Folding Pilates Reformer — $2,500.00

When we asked top Pilates instructors for their picks for the best at-home pilates set, the Align F3 came up a ton. While they feel smaller and slightly less sturdy than other at-home reformers, the instructors we spoke to insisted that it’s still a solid choice. Especially if space is a concern. It’s the most compact and mobile reformer, and the folding option makes it ideal for people with tight spaces. (If you’re not totally sold: Align offers a reformer comparison tool on their website that’s super helpful in choosing the right reformer for your needs.)

Best box-and-pole add-on: AeroPilates, Box & Pole — $200.00

If you already have a reformer, this box will come in handy to allow you to do multiple different poses at home. It can be laid in “long box” or “short box” position which will give you access to more exercises targeting your arms, legs, and core. The pole is used for certain poses like twists to ensure that you keep your arms and shoulders engaged to reap the full benefits.

Best ankle weights: Bala Bala Bangles — $55.00

Bala has recast fitness into a fashionable affair, and that goes double for these good-looking ankle weights. Starting at .5 pounds and moving to two pounds, the Bala bangles wrap around your wrist or feet so that you can add intensity to the movement that you’re doing.

Best Pilates ball: Bala, Pilates Ball — $29.00

This eight-inch ball allows you to isolate deep core muscles and gives you a broader range of motion when doing crunch-like movements. Extra points for its chic, matte design.

Worth noting: these babies tend to go out of stock quickly on Bala’s website, but you can sometimes find them at other outlets (we found them at FreePeople!).

Best hand weights: Polyfit Dumbbell Weight Bars — $45.00

These ergonomic, silicone wrapped hand weights are a reminder that you don’t need a massive rack of iron to get fit—you can reach for an ergonomic, beautiful object that allows you to tone and strengthen your body. We like them for moves like kickbacks to add a little more oomph.

Best grip socks: Bombas, Gripper Socks (4-Pack) — $57.00

For safety reasons, many instructors recommend using gripper socks when doing Pilates workouts on a reformer. These socks provide friction with the carriage so that as you push it out and pull it in, you aren’t likely to lose your footing. They’re available in small (women’s 4-7.5), medium (women’s 8-10.5), or large (women’s 11-13).

Best resistance bands: Sporty & Rich, Resistance Bands — $35.00

These fabric resistance bands are the ultimate companion to your mat Pilates workout because, unlike rubber resistance bands, once you put them in place, they will. not. move. You can use them in movements like leg circles, clamshells, and beyond.  

Best Pilates leggings: BeyondYoga, Spacedye Caught In The Midi High Waisted Legging — $97.00

I have long heard fitness editors speak about these leggings in hushed, reverent tones, so I called some in to see what the noise was about. They are whisper soft, but somehow don’t fall down like many unstructured leggings do. That means you’re moving out something that’s akin to second skin, and softer than a dream. With that kind of review, don’t even question it—just add to cart.

Best storage for Pilates equipment: Crate & Kids Outline Large Metal Floor Bin — $99.00

When you’re finished working out, you fold up your mat and place all of your accessories comfortably in this modern metal bin. The sleek design and classy wood top won’t scream “exercise equipment!” so you can seamlessly store your gear alongside your decor. 

Best reformer towel: Salt & Honey, Non-Slip Pilates Reformer Towel — $40.00

If you, too, identify as “extremely sweaty,” and fear that your Pilates reformer will turn into a slip-and-slide, fear not. This grippy towel wicks away sweat and keeps you safe on your machine so you can continue to push yourself further. They’re available in four different colors and are shaped to fit perfectly into your reformer’s headrest. 

Best at-home Pilates class: Alo Moves, $13

Whether you’re a complete beginner or you want to step up your routine, get the full studio experience at home with follow-along Pilates workouts. Taught by some of the country’s best instructors, you’ll feel like you’re in your favorite mat class.

Frequently Asked Questions

What equipment is essential for a home Pilates practice?

A high-quality, thick mat provides necessary joint support, and incorporating props like resistance bands, stability balls, and magic circles can enhance your workouts. 

How much space do I need for at-home Pilates equipment?

Most Pilates equipment, such as mats and small props, requires minimal space. However, larger apparatuses like reformers need a dedicated area for use and storage. Most reformers are fairly sizeable—six feet by two feet—at least. 

Is it necessary to invest in a Pilates reformer for effective home workouts?

While reformers offer versatile workouts, they can be expensive and space-consuming. Many practitioners achieve excellent results with mat-based exercises and affordable props. 

Can I substitute common household items for Pilates equipment?

Yes, items like water bottles can replace hand weights, and cushions can serve as stability props, making Pilates accessible without specialized equipment.