Pilatesby Éclat

Pilates guides

Gear picks, honest comparisons and what to buy for Pilates at home.

A canvas tote on a wooden bench next to a reformer, packed with grip socks, a water bottle, a towel and leggings
Guides

What to Bring to Your First Reformer Pilates Class

The reformer does the heavy lifting, so the list is short: grip socks, water, a small towel and clothes your instructor can see you move in.

Two folded workout sets, one sage green and one clay pink, on a wooden reformer carriage
Apparel

Alo Pilates Set Dupes on Amazon: the Look for About $60

An Alo set is lovely, and it costs over $200. These Amazon pieces give you the same fitted, studio-ready look for a fraction of that.

A compact foldable reformer with sage green upholstery in a bright living room
Reformers

Reformer at Home vs Studio Classes: the Real Cost

A home reformer can pay for itself in about ten studio classes. Whether it replaces the studio is a different question.

Two minimal home Pilates reformers in a bright room with light wood floors
Reformers

Best At-Home Pilates Reformers Under $500

A home reformer under $500 won't feel like the studio machine, but the right one is a solid way to practice between classes.

Three pairs of grip socks in oatmeal, sage and clay pink on a wooden reformer frame, grip soles facing up
Apparel

Best Pilates Grip Socks: Amazon vs Tavi vs Alo

Most reformer studios require grip socks. A $10 Amazon two-pack does the job, and Tavi is the studio-style upgrade.

A slim Pilates board with resistance bands on the floor in front of a wooden reformer
Reformers

Pilates Board vs Reformer: Which One for Home?

A board is cheaper, smaller and easier to store. A reformer is closer to the studio. Which one makes sense depends on your space and how you train.

A sage green yoga mat against a warm white wall with a small clay pink ball and ankle weights
Wall Pilates

Wall Pilates: What You Actually Need

Wall Pilates needs very little gear: a clear wall, a mat, and later a small ball or a band if you want more challenge.

A three-section Pilates bar with sage green resistance bands on a clay pink mat
Accessories

Pilates Bar Kits: Are They Worth It?

A $20 Pilates bar kit is a cheap way to add resistance at home. It isn't a reformer, and for some people a set of bands does the same job.

Three exercise mats of different thicknesses, sage green, off-white and clay pink, stacked on a light wood floor next to grip socks
Mats

Best Pilates Mats: How Thick Is Thick Enough?

Mat Pilates means lying and rolling on your spine, so a thin yoga mat often isn't enough. Here's how thick to go, and the mats worth buying.

A home Pilates starter kit laid out on a sage green mat: a clay pink ball, a black Pilates ring, three fabric loop bands and grip socks
Accessories

A Home Pilates Starter Kit Under $100

You don't need a reformer to start Pilates at home. A thick mat and four small props cover most beginner mat work, for under $100.

A grey Pilates ring with padded handles on a sage green mat, next to a small clay pink ball and a folded towel
Accessories

Pilates Ring: 5 Beginner Exercises and the Best Rings to Buy

The Pilates ring is one of Joseph Pilates' original props. Here's how to use it, five moves to start with, and which ring to buy.