Grab This Gear For A Studio Pilates Experience At Home

If you've ever done Pilates, you know the full-body workout is not to be underestimated. In fact, after experiencing its trademark muscle quivering for yourself, you'll be pretty much sold on stocking up on some Pilates workout equipment of your own, whether for at-home workouts or more personalized studio sweats.

“All Pilates exercises are low-impact and often executed in a slow and controlled manner,” says Amanda Jenny, a certified Pilates teacher and founding instructor of the online fitness community bande. "They develop a strong core, improve joint mobility, and enhance coordination.” Most exercises also work several muscle groups—huzzah!

“In a traditional Pilates mat class, the work arises from holding up your body weight and resisting gravity,” Jenny says. You can add intensity with gear like a Pilates ball, magic circle, weights, and resistance bands. Meanwhile, “on a reformer, you use the resistance of the springs to strengthen the targeted muscles.” Because it does wonders for core strength, it's a great workout for anyone who wants to avoid back injuries or who wants to feel more balanced in daily activities or sports.

So, whether you want to keep things gentle to focus on stretching or level up your sweat with a flow of compound movements, it’s easy to customize your Pilates experience. “Pilates exercises can be modified for beginners and progressed for those looking for more of a challenge, making it adaptable to all levels of workout,” says Cara Bonney, CSCS, master instructor for Club Pilates.

If you want to maximize your burn, check out some of the must-have Pilates gear that instructors and mat- and reformer-fanatics can't get enough of.