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

The Pilates ring, also called the magic circle, is a flexible hoop about 14 to 15 inches across with a padded handle on each side. You squeeze it, or press it outward, to add gentle resistance to mat exercises.

It's one of the original Pilates props. Complete Pilates, a London studio, notes in its magic circle guide that it was "designed by Joseph Pilates", and that, rumor has it, the first one was made from an old beer keg.

How to use it

Put the ring between your thighs, knees or ankles, or between your hands, and press toward the center. Complete Pilates describes the resistance as "gentle to moderate": the point is to switch on the muscles and keep control, not to crush the ring. Beginners should use only as much pressure as they can keep steady for the whole movement.

5 beginner exercises

These five moves come from Alo Moves' list of 12 Pilates ring exercises for beginners. Start with a few slow repetitions of each.

1. Bridge. Lie on your back, feet hip-width apart, ring just above your knees. Squeeze the ring as you lift your hips, then lower slowly.

2. Magic circle crunch. On your back with the ring above your knees, heels together and feet angled out, hands behind your head. Squeeze the ring as you curl your head and shoulders up.

3. Half roll down. Sit tall with the ring between your thighs. Squeeze, curl your tailbone under and lean back partway, then roll back up one vertebra at a time.

4. Resistance plié. Standing, ring just above your knees, heels together. Squeeze to keep your heels together as you bend your knees, then lift back up while engaging your core.

5. Chest expansion. Standing, hold the ring behind your back with both hands. Pull your abs in and lift the ring slightly, then lower.

If you have an injury, are pregnant or are new to exercise, check with an instructor or your doctor before adding resistance.

What to look for in a ring

Size. Most rings are 14 or 15 inches across; either works. Handles. Padding on both the inside and the outside lets you press in and pull out comfortably. Resistance. Lighter rings are easier to control for beginners; firmer rings give more challenge for arm work.

These picks are based on the listings, ratings and number of verified reviews, not a hands-on test.

Best overall: Balanced Body Ultra-Fit Circle

Balanced Body is one of the best-known Pilates equipment makers, and the Ultra-Fit Circle is its home-and-studio ring. According to Balanced Body, it's 15 inches across, made of flexible plastic with a soft rubberized shell, has padded handles on both the inside and the outside, and its resistance is "approximately equivalent to a 3-Band Spring Circle." It's rated 4.8 stars on Amazon from nearly 1,000 reviews, at about $33.

Best budget pick: Gaiam Pilates Ring

The Gaiam ring is 15 inches with non-slip foam handles, about $24, and rated 4.5 stars from more than 3,000 reviews. It's the one we picked for our home Pilates starter kit.

Most reviewed: ProBody Pilates Circle

The ProBody ring is slightly smaller at 14 inches, with padded handles, and it's the most reviewed of the three: 4.5 stars from more than 9,900 reviews, at about $30.

Whichever ring you choose, use it on a cushioned mat: our Pilates mat guide covers how thick to go.

A Pilates ring adds gentle resistance, not a workout of its own. Squeeze it just enough to stay in control.