PILATES KIT - WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GET STARTED?
If you are working out at home, or considering attending group mat classes, you might be wondering what sort of equipment you need to get started.
Honestly, my advice is to keep it simple, you do not need to spend lots of money and you definitely don’t need to be kitting out with the most expensive fitness wear. I’ve covered a few key basics here. At the end of the blog you can find links to my top recommended mats, props and more.
PILATES MAT:
The first thing you will need is a decent mat. If you are practicing Pilates at home or need a mat to attend group Pilates classes then you should look for a thick mat, ideally 15 mm, so that your joints are well cushioned - this makes a big difference to how the work feels. You can use a thinner mat if you need to, but you may find some exercises can feel a little uncomfortable without the extra cushioning. If you are attending group classes, a mat you can roll up and easily transport will be best for you. Yoga mats tend not to be great for Pilates, because they are much thinner and often have a very grippy surface which can make some Pilates movements tricky.
“PROPS”
Props, or small equipment, is a name we give to the smaller pieces of kit that can help us modify Pilates exercises. These include resistance bands, small soft balls and blocks. They aren’t mandatory by any means, and the Pilates Mat work was designed to require no equipment, however sometimes these props can help you to achieve certain movements. If you are following pre-recorded video at home you may come across some videos in which an item of small equipment is used throughout the class to create some new and interesting challenges. Certainly there are some of these in our online video library as part of the Online and Studio Memberships. If you attend group Pilates classes, your teacher may already provide props you can borrow. In Be:Poised Pilates Studio classes an array of props are available for use within the studio so you don’t need to bring your own with you unless you want to.
TECH
If you are doing home workouts following video content then you will need a device on which to view the content. This may be a smart phone, tablet or laptop. A larger screen is better as you can see it more easily, but work with what you have got. Some people find it helpful to connect their device to their television so they can see the video more clearly during their workout. If you are joining live online sessions then the device you are using should also have a camera and microphone so that your teacher can observe you and you can ask questions. Ideally mute your microphone when the class starts, to prevent background noises interrupting the session for others, and unmute if you need to ask a question.
WHAT TO WEAR
Essentially anything you feel comfortable in and can move easily in. As a teacher, I can best view a clients form and alignment if they are wearing tighter fitting and lighter coloured clothing however not everyone is going to feel comfortable in a white vest top and leggings/shorts. The most important things is that you feel comfortable and you can move well. If you are feeling self-conscious in what you are wearing you are not going to move at your best. Please wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Avoid clothing with zips or anything pointy as they can be very uncomfortable and dig in during certain movements (zips are a big no in an apparatus studio too, as they can rip the apparatus upholstery!). If you are working out at home, bare feet are best. If you are attending a group class, different studios may have different policies on bare feet vs socks. In the Be:Poised Pilates studio we ask that you wear socks for hygiene purposes - grip socks are mandatory in the apparatus studio for safety.
To help you, I have posted some top tips and links to suggested kit below.
Mats: A 15mm mat is great to cushion the joints whilst still being portable. PhysioWorld 15 mm mats work well for mat classes / home practice and are available here:
Resistance Bands: If you want your own band then I suggest a light or medium weight resistance for most Pilates work. If you have a latex allergy check what your band is made of as some contain latex. A longer band gives more flexibility so look for a 2m length ideally. The bands I use for my clients are available here.
Soft ball: The small soft ball is a great Pilates prop. I use it a lot to help clients find certain connections in the body, help them achieve tricky exercises and provide extra challenge in other exercises. Brands can vary in size and firmness. The APPI 7 inch ball is latex free and anti-burst so it is a great option available here.
Blocks: Some clients benefit from the use of a head block to optimise alignment of the head and neck. When you lay on your back on the mat you should be able to feel the centre of the back of your head on the mat. If you find your weight actually sits more to the top of the back of your head a small block behind your head may help you find more length at the back your neck and optimise head position. A simple headblock is available here.
Grip socks: Grip socks are great for providing support and making sure your feet stay grounded without slipping. Grip socks are mandatory in our apparatus studio. I have a stock of grip socks available for purchase incase you don’t have your own. These can be purchased via the BSport app or directly at the studio.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made using the links above.